Thread by @1goodtern

I often keep quiet, but I was a glutton for punishment today.
1st round of conversation:
Them: "Great, we'll see you next Wednesday. We've got 35 people coming."
Me: "That's good. What will you have in place in terms of Covid safety?"

Them: "we don't do any of that now it's over."
Me: "it's not over, there have only been 50* days in the last three years when cases here have been higher than today."
Them:"Yes, but people aren't getting sick."

*roughly

Me: "yes they are getting sick, there have already been more covid hospital admissions this year than there were either 2020 or 2021."
Them: "but it's supposed to be over."
Me: "11,000 people died within 60 days of a covid infection in July and August in England."

Them: "So why isn't that on the news?"
Me: "I don't know, I don't make the news."
<conversation interrupted>

2nd conversation (later, with same person):
Me: "So what Covid precautions will you have in place?"
Them: "the government have finished covid precautions"
Me: <sends email > "I've just emailed you...

Me (cont): "I've just emailed you with links to the UK Health Security Agency's recommendations for periods of high transmission, and to your website and your organisation's covid guidance and risk assessment. Will you have any of those measures in place?"

Them: "I don't think anyone here is bothered about that anymore."
Me: "yes, but you've booked me to come and speak, and I've agreed on the basis that your organisation has measures in place to prevent spread."

Them <long pause> "everyone who will be there has either had it or has been vaccinated."
Me:"But any of those people can catch it again or, despite being vaccinated, transmit it. I'm trying to tell you I don't want to be part of a meeting that gives vulnerable people covid."

Them: "No vulnerable people come."
(I let that one slide)
Me:"ok. How about I bring two hepa filters to clean the air, and you ask that people test before they come and stay home if they're sick."
Them: "I can't make them do that."

Me: "yes, but you could ask nicely."

<Long pause>

Them: "is there anything else?"

Me: "I'll be wearing a respirator, but I've got a portable personal voice amplifier so people can hear me clearly. I also have a link to Microsoft teams, which can provide live captions."

Them: <sounding a little confused now> "do they have to wear masks?"
Me: "what does your risk assessment say?"
Them: "I don't know"
Me:"I've just emailed it to you. It says you all do, but if you want to assess it before next Wednesday and change it, I'm OK with that."

<long pause>

<goodbyes>

I think they regret booking me already.

I think I may now legally qualify as a dentist, because this really felt like pulling teeth.

For those who have asked about the voice amplifier, it's one of these.
It sits far enough away from my mask to not brush against it, but picks up and amplifies everything clearly.
It's not as clear as a headset mic and PA, but good enough!
amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MQQSW4P?…

If you'd like to learn how to find the stats I quoted, they're in here...

https://twitter.com/1goodtern/status/1574664693863444481?t=POI7dplCAQyQnRUXNPrceg&s=19