The Brick Castle: COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 25th / 26th September 2021

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 25th / 26th September 2021

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 7,664,230 (+32,417)
Losses of Life: 136,168 (+58)
Tests: 1,063,394
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 48,722,414 (89.6%)
Vaccinations Fully Vaxxed: 44,739,473 (82.3%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 383,218 cases and 5,209 losses of life.

World: 232,468,443 reported cases and 4,759,808 losses of life.

75 years of NHS Blood Donation images of then and now blood being taken from smiling patients

Even the UK Government's SAGE Government advisory panel are surprised that UK hospital admissions are going down, because they expected a peak around 2,000 people. They aren't quite sure how this is happening, but clearly it's a great thing.
The scientific response surely has to be, 'shush, no-one touch anything. Keep doing what you're doing'...

Well done to anyone who has fuel they aren't about to use. Panic buying has seen many garages forced to limit customers to £30 of fuel. We are assured that any garage which actually runs out of fuel will be reopen within 48 hours - there isn't that much if a problem guys, its been blown up out of all proportion.
Just the same as with toilet roll and hand sanitiser last year - if we all just bought what we needed, or our usual amount, there wouldn't be an issue. Try and take the attitude that if you don't need it, you leave it for someone who really does, and you get some in a few days time - without queueing.
By Saturday lunchtime there was talk of limiting fuel purchases in worst affected areas to essential workers only, but I haven't seen anything to suggest that's actually happened.

The UK Government are swiftly scribbling out another 5,000 temporary visas for non-UK HGV drivers, and they're putting 3,000 people through an HGV test - Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says that'll fix it.
The UK Government are also making available another 5,500 visas for poultry workers - which isn't quite so glamorous as a petrol station forecourt, so the potential for turkey shortages isn't making as many headlines.

The HGV driver shortage is causing a knock on effect. I've seen people offering £40 an hour, and that sort of wage is a great carrot, so refuse vehicle drivers are amongst those going for it. This has affected bin collections in several UK areas.

Have you got a cold? This Winter we are being warned that because of mask-wearing and social distancing, not only did we miss out on all the things we'd have caught gradually over time, but our immune system might be a bit slack because of it. It's the equivalent of having to run 5 miles after 18 months of mainly watching Tiger King.
This has caused surges in paediatric hospital admissions in several countries, including New Zealand, who had a pretty dreadful time with children's respiratory infections over our Summer/their Winter.
Fingers crossed the UK, and everyone else heading into Winter, don't come off too badly.

Hoax of the week is Graphene. Graphene Oxide to be precise. GRAPHENE OXIDE IS NOT IN COVID VACCINES, and that includes Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, CanSino, Sinovac, Sputnik V and Janssen.
This is a hoax that first started back at the end of Spring, yet still it persists.
Graphene really refers to a single thickness of graphite, it's incredibly light yet strong, and Graphene Oxide has loads of clever properties, including being antibacterial - so it could be really useful medically in the future, but we are a long way off there yet. It's really new technology and has potential.
If you want to check vaccine ingredients, they are all publicly available online - including on the UK GOV, US FDA and US CDC Vaccine information pages.

person with covid symptoms, blowing their nose into a tissue

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the NHS blood service.
I always said "if you would take it, you should give it", but sadly they've not wanted mine for a while now. Proudly though, 2 of our grown up kids have already got a couple of donations under their belts, so we passed that baton on at least. Thank you to them, and thank YOU to everyone who has ever donated.
Just ordinary people, saving and improving the lives of millions of grateful strangers...

A very quiet news day thankfully, because I've got 13th birthday cake to eat. Have an excellent evening yourselves...

Some numbers. All people, and very much like you:

Countries / Cases / Losses of life (since midnight GMT. In larger countries, such as the USA and India, some states /provinces have yet to report today):

UK 7,664,230 (+32,417) 136,168 (+58)

Russia 7,420,913 (+22,498) 203,900 (+805)

India 33,673,010 (+21,789) 447,169 (+221)

Philippines 2,490,858 (+20,755) 37,405

Iran 5,533,520 (+13,792) 119,360 (+288)

Thailand 1,561,638 (+12,353) 16,268 (+125)

Vietnam 756,689 (+10,011) 18,584 (+184)

Mexico 3,628,812 (+9,697) 275,299 (+596)

Belarus 530,203 (+1,974) 4,092 (+11)

Australia 97,550 (+1,743) 1,231 (+11)

Netherlands 1,996,498 (+1,597) 18,150 (+1)

Canada 1,602,273 (+1,372) 27,648 (+8)