Only boring people get bored, as my mum said (after I complained bitterly one half-term about being bored. I then got roped into cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming the floors, cleaning the windows, weeding, helping with the laundry... now that was boring!)

It's actually quite an eye-opener that some people are so wedded to their jobs that they don't know how to fill the time without it! By working at home I've gained about 12 hours a week (due to lack of commuting and getting in early), but do I notice it? Not at all - the time gets eaten up by all sorts of things, including tending to the garden. At least that looks a bit tidier than it has for a few years.

I want to retire as soon as I can, truth be told. I don't miss the commute whatsoever and although I may miss the social aspects of work, I'll be gaining a dog (and can still invite friends round).

All being well, I'll have less than 10 years of the "rat run" to go... and boy, it's going to be a jolt when things finally get back to normal with the commute...

In the meantime, at least there's a bank holiday weekend coming up. I plan to spend a couple of hours of it watching the new Star Wars movie, should be fun!

I too am enjoying working from home and not having to commute!  For me, retirement wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, so I got this ‘little’ job I’m doing now, with no stress attached and I can choose my hours!  Perfect!

However, we should remember not to judge others by our own experiences and appreciate others have different circumstances.  Furlough might be a godsend to some but a problem for others. 

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Yes, the Chinese one is now the favoured candidate. I believe the US have one in human trials and the Germans kick off next month (or it could be this month actually).

The hope is the unprecedented efforts worldwide are bound to get us somewhere, whether it's through prevention or treatment.

I do think we'll get there, somewhere & somehow.

Trying to be logical, rather than optimistic. 

 

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UK data

• Tests - 100,678


• People tested - 67,409


• Positive cases - 2,684


• All settings deaths - 160

The confirmed rate today for positive cases is 3.98% which is the lowest since around March 10th

England reported 816 new cases

A vaccine which significantly reduces the severity of infection would also be a game changer though. Obviously it depends on the extent. 

I'm going to take news reports re. the Oxford vaccine with a pinch of salt for now.

I think you’re right on both counts!  Speculation can do more harm than good!  Best to wait until the scientists themselves announce developments!

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UK data

• Tests - 100,678


• People tested - 67,409


• Positive cases - 2,684


• All settings deaths - 160

 

That’s looking better.  What were the positive case numbers over the past few days Gavin?

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9,408 in hospital down from 10,035 yesterday and down 13% since last week

Daily slides

Mobility - JVT says "gradual upward trend in searches for walking and driving directions, but public transport search levels are "flat".

Testing and new cases - JVT says "Definite and sustained decline in new confirmed cases"

People in hospital - JVT says " patients in hospital with COVID-19 is now in sustained decline again, very good news"

All settings deaths with 7-day rolling average - JVT says "consistent and solid decline' in virus deaths"

Italy 

• 451 new cases


• 99 new deaths

Two observations:-

1. Confirmed cases 2,684 which is down. Yet this was described as a "continuous fall" which it clearly isn't as the previous five points on his graph were indicating a plateau or  in fact a slight rise ! 


2.  The mobility data is from i-phones only. Although the market share in the UK with android is about 50/50 I would think the data will be skewed towards the higher income groups as there are far more "affordable" Android phones available.

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9,408 in hospital down from 10,035 yesterday and down 13% since last week

9,408 in hospital is today's figure in Great Britain. Figure for Great Britain yesterday was 9,406. They are including N Ireland in the yesterday figures (to get the 10,035) but not the today figures again. There is a general downwards trend regardless but they shouldn't compare like this.

The mobility data is from i-phones only. Although the market share in the UK with android is about 50/50 I would think the data will be skewed towards the higher income groups as there are far more "affordable" Android phones available.

As long as the same data source is used every time I wouldn't have thought that would have mattered.

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Regional data for new cases today in England

The 7 English regions 

• London +47 (0.2%) 26,487


• Midlands +234 (1.0%) 24,250


• North West +176 (0.7%) 23,786


• North East and Yorkshire +127 (0.6%) 22,826


• South East +103 (0.5%) 20,328


• East of England +97 (0.7%) 13,129


• South West +21 (0.3%) 7,315

The 10 local areas with the highest cases

1. Kent +34 (0.8%) 4,475


2. Lancashire +11 (0.3%) 3,351


3. Birmingham +28 (0.8%) 3,303


4. Hampshire +11 (0.3%) 3,168


5. Essex +20 (0.6%) 3,084


6. Surrey +8 (0.3%) 2,819


7. Hertfordshire +33 (1.2%) 2,761


8. Sheffield +5 (0.2%) 2,477


9. Cumbria +3 (0.1%) 2,145


10. Staffordshire +19 (0.9%) 2,090

The 10 local areas with the lowest cases

1. Rutland 32 - No change


2. North East Lincolnshire +2 (1.4%) 148


3. Isle of Wight +1 (0.6%) 178


4. Torbay 221 - No change


5. Bath and North East Somerset +1 (0.4%) 228


6. Bracknell Forest +1 (0.4%) 236


7. Windsor and Maidenhead +2 (0.7%) 280


8. Calderdale 283 - No change


9. Hartlepool 295 - No change


10. Portsmouth 312 - No change

 

Get outside and enjoy the glorious weather and all those on furlough make the bloody most of this extended time off as it won't happen again until you retire!! I am out fishing pretty much every other day now and absolutely loving not having to go to work The chances of catching the virus outside are slim to none as long as you are sensible and careful. My motto is out of adversity comes opportunity.

Well said! Nothing like fresh air, nice hobby, sunshine, relaxation & common sense in doing you good.
For me, getting outside to look up through my telescope & doing photography to take my mind off bad things. 
 

I think you’re right on both counts!  Speculation can do more harm than good!  Best to wait until the scientists themselves announce developments!

Absolutely, Caz.

It is OK for politicians, journalists and we in the general public to speculate all we like. The best thing we can and should all do is to let the scientists get on with what they are doing. If we leave then along to continue with their efforts to find a safe and effective vaccine, then IMO the chances of one coming along one day will be improved considerably.

 

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As long as the same data source is used every time I wouldn't have thought that would have mattered.

Yes, of course you are right - at least for the up down trend that is all that matters.

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Better news from the US. Trump's vaccine looks more promising than Oxford's. In fact I reckon Trump's vaccine will be the greatest vaccine ever. 

Coronavirus vaccine in first human trial shows signs of creating immunity

Potential vaccine appears safe and created 'neutralising antibodies'

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/18/coronavirus-vaccine-first-human-trial-shows-signs-creating-immunity/

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Question about the NHS app-ocalyspe met with a straight bat by Raab. Has anyone heard what the current status actually is with the app? There were rumours a second one using the Google API was being developed. No idea if that is the case.  

Gary Gibbon, from Channel 4, suggests the timetable for the tracing app has "slipped somewhat" and the length of time it is taking to return test results is also holding the UK back.

Mr Raab says it is a perfectly reasonable question and the UK will be "learning lessons" as the tracing process unfolds.

 

Edit: Just seen this on the BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52709568

If they can't even spin it past "tech guru" Kettle-Jones one can only assume it is pants at the moment.

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From my recollection of the positive story the other day, the vaccine may:

 

Reduce infection within the lungs and severity of symptoms. But not on its presence in the nose/throat.

So people who are vaccinated are more likely to have weak symptoms but can still pass it on.

 

Not ideal , but better than nothing?

 

Will be interesting to see whether countries rush for a suboptimal vaccine or hold out for a more effective one.

 

 

The reporting here of this vaccine is way off. The results in primates were very promising. It was a single dose that was given against a high viral load, including nasal infection (unlike other vaccine tests). The impact a single dose had (when the vaccine is not envisaged as single dose) was significant and promising.

Might I suggest this is one of those moments when Twitter IS useful rather than simply latching onto an article that has now been passed around different media outlets. On Twitter a whole series of epidemiologists have stepped in to critique this negative take.

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UK data

• Tests - 100,678


• People tested - 67,409


• Positive cases - 2,684


• All settings deaths - 160

 

Positive (new) cases first time below 3k since 30 March.