Thread by @drclairetaylor

Had a conversation with a relative today.
Them ‘it’s great we are beating Covid’
Me ‘unfortunately we are not beating Covid’
Explanation from me ensued.
Puzzled look from relative 😲
‘but why does the news (points to TV) tell us it is?
Me 🤷🏻‍♀️
@BBCNews @itvnews @Channel4News

Relative
‘at least things are good enough that we don’t need masks.’
‘At least we can do things and we won’t catch it’
‘At least we don’t have to worry about the kids’….

Dear Media,
How can people who do not use apps like X or have a degree in science make informed decisions when they are flooded with disinformation?
They can’t.
This costs lives and health.

Prime example:
Recently @BBCNews stated that 1 in 25000 people had Covid, knowing full well that we cannot use gross test numbers now since hardly anyone tests. In the same article they quoted their usual source- with a history of minimising Covid.

They have since issued a correction at the end. How many people read the original article?**(see end)

We can only dream of 1 in 25000 infected. It was around 1/100 or more going by wastewater.

Who will read a correction?

It matters because hospitalisations and deaths are increasing. In July.
We have new sub variants that of course are more immune evasive.
We still have the risk of long Covid, which increases with cumulative infections.

@BBCNews have done another article.
Yes rates are up. More people are in hospital. It looks more like the first and second waves
BUT the infectious disease doctor is quoted as saying we don’t need to put masks back on.’

Why not? If people are dying at a higher rate should we not be encouraging people to put one on and maybe save a life? Are the news outlets so terrified of saying that?

And it matters because my relative is elderly. Vulnerable.
And trusts mainstream media.
They doesn’t have Facebook or X. All they have is the news.
And they think we are doing well and ‘beating it’
There are multiple people traipsing into their house every day.

I’ve always said my observation for freedom day 2021/forget Covid day 2022 was that most of the public were hesitant to drop all measures.
I got asked ‘what’s changed?’
Nothing. Nothing had changed in 2022 except for omicron being super infectious.

The extreme views seen on here really didn’t extend into most of society. Most people were still concerned about Covid& didn’t actually mind masks in public places too much.
Now those people have been bombarded with misinformation for two years.
And they think we’ve beaten it

They think they are safe. That their families are safe.
Yet people are still dying and becoming disabled

Please share off this platform for those who rely on mainstream media.
Covid is not over
Covid is still killing people
Risk of long Covid is around 10% but 38% by infection 3
Children can get long Covid
Long Covid is a nasty disease that ruins lives

We have not beaten Covid.

I always get asked
‘ but why does the news/newspapers/social media say Covid is over and like a cold now’
By family, friends, patients,anyone asking why I’m still taking precautions.
I’m getting a little tired of explaining.
Dear media,
Please leave politics out &do better.

@Keir_Starmer @wesstreeting @UKLabour
I know the country has many,many problems.
I hope you have Covid in your list as a major one.We cannot ignore Covid or magically think that it’s gone.
The NHS is crumbling.If you really want to get on top of it, Covid should be a priority.

If you work on a public health campaign, that many people would in fact listen to, and reduce Covid prevalence to 1/500 at the least- we may be able to save the NHS.
Ventilation is key.
We have studies proving it.
It’s not hard.

Reducing Covid infections will mean a healthier population, less hospital admission and GP appointments for acute and long covid, a bigger workforce and less sick notes& Ill health retirement.
You have been given huge responsibility.
I hope you do not listen to bad actors.

** How many people read the original article?
How many people watch the news or read it online on websites or apps?
They have an ASTOUNDING reach.
Please use it responsibly.