Covid-19 An Impressive Virus

[Hymie]

The virus is able to determine whether (when in a pub) you are eating a substantial meal or just having a drink – and therefore infect you or not.

I can think of no possible scientific explanation for this behaviour from a virus.

[emmie]

Hopefully when this virus has abated, when it does, one can get back to some sort of normal life, but that seems a way off yet

[Hymie]

Bobbinwales – no, it is perfectly acceptable for me to go for a meal with others in the pub.
I’m seeking an explanation as to how the virus knows not to infect me in this situation.

[vulcan42]

I think Bobbinwales is having a whoosh moment. By the way, Bobbinwales, does your I key not work?

[bobbinwales]

It doesnt but peopel wanted the economy opening up.
You must be in England Tier 1 tho or abroad, teir 2 you cant mix households in a pub/restraunt, tier 3 none serving except takeaway??

Forget this -"the virus knows/doesnt know'' stuff. The virus spreads in certain ways, mainly through human contact or closeness so its best to avoid it unless essential

[ichkeria]

In tier 2 you must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place. You must not socialise in a group of more than 6 people outside, including in a garden or a public space – this is called the 'rule of 6'.

[bobbinwales]

explain teh whoosh moment.
If you eman hymies joking then fine.
Otherwise shes talking nonsense. Listen to sqad and medicas/scientists. And use common sense

[ichkeria]

That’s a quote above from the “rules”

The thinking behind the “only drink with a meal” has been explained.

[bobbinwales]

A know when posters are on a stickey wicket because they start mocking my spelling rather than making valid points.

[vulcan42]

Hymie is asking a valid question but with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

[bobbinwales]

Well its been answered by me, squad, ichekeria and others. Science is is perhaps not the best place for tongue in cheek. Anyway, seems to me shes serious

[Hymie]

All I’m seeking is an explanation as to how this works.

I work in the electrical industry, I can tell you that it is not a good idea to get close to 330kV distribution cables – the voltage will arc through your body to earth; if the energy flowing through your body is not sufficient to burn you to a crisp, it will be enough to stop you heart and kill you. Take my word for the above, do not try it.

I want to know how this virus works – in not infecting me while eating down the pub with others, there must be some scientific explanation.

[Prudie]

There are countless anomalies in these rules and many of them have been discussed on AB. Some of you blinkered tunnel visioned, halo wearing, rule spouting, just do as your told posters need to realise that most of us are following these rules but that doesn't stop the brighter questioning them on here at times.
Constantly saying trust the scientists or the government is nearly as irritating as when posters are given links to the AB Site Rules when they dare to question something about a poster/their post etc as if they are the self-appointed class monitor.

[Sqad]

Hymie.....I vowed not to enter into any more discussions on Covid as the same people are saying the same things over and over ad nauseum.

There is NO scientific explanation.
It is a pragmatic course to sail between saving the leisure industry and lives.
There is no 100% practical way of stopping thr virus from spreading, only controlling and reducing its spread.
More humans, more densely condensed......more infection, greater hospitalisation, more deaths.
Are we fine up to here?
Pubs...it is rather " half cocked" but, sitting down for a meal is easy to control,chairs and tables can be reduced and easily separated.
At the bar.....maybe fine to start with but after a few drinks,a few laughs, social distancing becomes a joke and yes,the chance of Covid being transfered is higher....much higher.
Yes, pick holes in that by all means, but better still why not support it without question....?....just this once.

[Gizmonster]

I can understand the OP's grief here as to the mixed messages being received ..... no continuity whatsoever.
In between lockdowns when my local was allowed to reopen, it was table service only with social distancing being fully adhered to and strictly enforced by the landlord and landlady. Yet when we went into tier 3, the pub had to close, yet a pub a few hundred metres away was allowed to stay open as it served meals. It is pretty much the same set up - a local boozer with a pool table, etc .... the only difference being it serves meals. Discriminating between establishments this way, makes no sense whatsoever. Close them all, or let them all stay open.
There are plenty of other bizarre rules ..... my dad can't come round to my house, but if I employ his services as a painter, it's fine for him to come round and paint my house. My mum can't come round to my house, but if I put my house on the market, it's fine for her to make an appointment and come round and view my house. All I'm asking for is continuity .... either people can come into my house or they can't .... it just doesn't make sense and I can fully understand peoples' frustration at times !!

[ichkeria]

The is a difference between inviting someone round to do a job, and an informal social visit.
There is no way that these rules will not appear inconsistent in places, and it’s often not well explained.
A more pertinent question would simply be: why are the safety measures taken in pubs not good enough for them to be exempted generally.

[dave50]

If everyone is sat down and it is table service as it was before in teir one if you remember, what difference does it make whether you are eating or not? Its ridiculous.

[Old_Geezer]

Four people sitting round a table eating, one person sitting at a table drinking, who's more likely to be infected?

[Atheist]

Hymie; I sincerely hope that you do realise that 'the virus' is not an intelligent thing that only bothers to infect when it finds it attractive. If you do think that, then perhaps you should read a bit about biology, evolutions, or anything really.

[bobbinwales]

//Four people sitting round a table eating, one person sitting at a table drinking, who's more likely to be infected?//
No-one disputes its the four people old geyzer.
So yes theres a scientific case for saying pubs can serve beer to one person taking up a whole table, but pubs would rather have 4 diners than one drinker

[jno]

actually, Atheist, I do wonder if anyone's done a proper survey of the IQ of the people it infects. And yeah, I know it can even infect classicist politicians.