Hospital nightmare

Alexandra General Hospital no queue. I soon learn why, no doctors. Directed to another hopital, Evangelismos General Hospital.

Alexandra General Hospital #Athens pic.twitter.com/wVJln8cNDY

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) March 4, 2023

Evangelismos General Hospital #Athens pic.twitter.com/vYyUXnEjF8

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) March 4, 2023

No signage to hospital. No sign at hospital. No sign to entrance.

On entering it is like a scene out of a horror movie.

Luckily escorted to another wing of the hospital, covid-19 isolation.

Not long before I see a doctor. Asked questions, show medication given previously by hospital and by doctor, blood test results from previous visit. That have tested three times covid positive. Blood taken, blood pressure, blood oxygen level,  covid test , ECG, temperature.

After not very long wait taken for an x-ray. X-ray within minutes. Escorted back to isolation area.

Then wait for hours. No one informs why the wait. Blood results, who knows.

After many hours, escorted to another area of the hospital. More scenes from a horror movie.

Eventually asked the same questions as before,  blood pressure and oxygen level taken. Told I need a scan. Could be 12 hour wait. 

I arrived around three, but maybe that was the first hospital.

Ten at night I decide I am leaving. But cannot leave , a device is stuck in my arm.

I speak to staff, please remove, I wish to leave. Cannot leave unless doctor agrees.

It is now pouring of rain. I will get soaked. Anywhere, nowhere to go to eat, late?

Doctor says I can leave. I will have to sign release papers. Advised I remain for a scan.

I have had coronavirus for indeterminate period. This is not good. May indicate serious. That is why they wish to do a scan.

Given a drink for the scan.

Maybe a scan in two hours.  Previously told not until the morning at the earliest.

Midnight. When is the last Metro?

Two taken for a scan.

Three learn the result of scan. Shows nothing. Actually shows an anomaly. I put down to their CT scanner.

The only thing I learnt from the tests. 

Coronavirus positive.

Infection levels have dropped. 

Symptoms, tiredness, weakness, exhaustion, pain in joints, coughing, sore throat , all covid related. 

Pages of notes. All in Greek. 

I finally left at four in the morning. Had been there since three in the afternoon. 

Now in a little cafe across the road getting something to eat. Nothing to eat since breakfast . 

No Metro this time of night. I will have to get a taxi. 

Double check. First Metro from Evangelismos 0525. I could, but in the cold and dark, risk of heavy downpour? Maybe not.

Visit to doctor covid-19 positive

A week on from Alexandra General Hospital testing coronavirus positive, out of quarantine, still very sick, unable to revisit hospital due to Metro strike, a visit to a doctor yesterday.

– blood pressure dangerously low

– blood oxygen level 98%

– covid-19 positive

Yesterday coronavirus positive #covid19 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/68E17O25q1

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) March 2, 2023

Third coronavirus test. Second was at a pharmacy last Friday. Each test positive.

Doctor wished to carry out further tests but not permitted as I have tested positive. Advised visit hospital.

Not able to travel or fly.

Prescribed medication.

Advised to rest.

Over a week has passed since notified Insurance, kept informed, supplied with all required documents. To date no response, despite repeated reminders. In the meantime I am racking up hotel bill, cost of doctor, medication, changes to flights.

Public hospital

Very ill for several days. I could have seen a doctor, but insurance fraudsters say no, have to visit a public hospital. What am I paying insurance for?

A trip on the Metro. I exit where it says hospital Then where? No signage for a hospital.

I ask and a lady directs me where I have come from.

No signage, not even for an entrance.
I ask a security guard. He says wrong hospital. Directs me to another hospital.

I am now exhausted.

Again no signage. No entrance sign.

I ask a security guard. He speaks to a doctor, who tells me sit outside on a row of seats.

The other people vanish. Leaving only me. I see people waking in and out. A queue outside the hospital door.

After half an hour I ask the security guard what is going on. Not helpful. He ordered me in Greek to sit down.

An hour passes by.

I observe a badly organised system. Security guards on the gate smoking. A small courtyard. Delivery vans, cars, blocking access for ambulances. One ambulance has police escort. Every second counts, and yet access for ambulances blocked.

I am sat by the gate. I ask a man. He tells me I should have a number and then I will be called.

I walk to the entrance, careful to avoid the security guard on the gate.

I chat to a young woman, who tells me they will call my name. How can they call my name when no one knows my name?

She asks to go inside as she is in pain standing. On my behalf she asks may I go inside as I have chest infection and not doing me any good stood outside.

Young security guard says I will be called next.

I am called into to see a doctor. Asked basic questions, blood oxygen levels checked, blood pressure. Then given a covid test. I am positive.

I am detained, isolated.

Two and a half hours have passed since my arrival.

The strange thing is, the symptoms of bronchitis but tests do not indicate bronchitis.

My oxygen level and blood pressure taken. Later blood taken for tests. Do I remain lying on the bed? I am not told.

Periodically someone looks in. Do not speak. Are they checking to see if I have run away? I wonder if I am locked in? I check. No, door not locked.

A man in full PPE takes x-ray. Most slapdash x-ray I have encountered. Plate is put under me on the bed. No warning to remain still.

I ask, and he tells me ten minutes for result. Does not know when blood results.

Hours pass.

Doctor calls me to pick up my things and follow him. He hands me the x-ray. Does not tell me what it shows. He does though explain blood tests. He is prescribing antibiotics and a powder to be mixed with water to open up my lungs.

He tells me to take my prescription across the road to the pharmacy. Explain that I do not have a Greek national insurance number.

Pharmacist asks for Greek national insurance number. I explain I do not have. He does not have the powder. Says I am unlikely to obtain anywhere. He offers an alternative. I say ok.

I am shocked the number of people walking into the pharmacy not wearing masks, especially as the are likely to be from the hospital.

Before I enter isolation for five days. I go for a walk. I have not eaten since breakfast and feeling sick. I take a coffee and something to eat. I stay outside to not infect anyone

On my return a minor detour to an Italian restaurant where a friend and I had eaten a few days ago. I remain outside. Explain I have coronavirus. They thank me for letting them know. If I want anything to eat, please let them know and they will deliver to me.

Now five days of isolation.

Strange. I do not have symptoms of coronavirus, I have symptoms of bronchitis. My Russian friend has the same symptoms.

Omicron doubling every 2-3 days introduction of Plan B and accelerated booster vaccinations

Omicron spreading rapidly in South Africa where it was first identified. It is spreading rapidly amongst those who have been vaccinated or who have high levels of immunity to covid-19.

Prof Chris Whitty says Omicron infection rates are doubling "extraordinarily fast" every 2-3 days.

He adds there is a two week delay between people getting infected with Covid and ending up in hospital, which is why new restrictions are necessary.https://t.co/JTl1tW61kG pic.twitter.com/hYyAgjykRN

— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 8, 2021

Omicron is a wake up call. We may think we can forget covid-19, it has not forgotten us.

In UK, booster vaccine rollout has been accelerated, three months interval from second vaccine not six months, all adults. Now seen as a third vaccine.

But we have to have all our defences in place.

Mask wearing has to apply to all venues, not merely shops and public transport. And with enforcement.

For international travel, negative PCR test 48 hours prior to travel to enter UK, then on day 2 and day 8 with self isolation.

CEO of Moderna has warned vaccines may not be effective against Omicron. Work in the lab, two vaccinations not affective, addition of a booster vaccination adds protection, hence an accelerated booster programme to have every adult in the UK with a booster by the end of the year. That means at least one millions boosters every day, currently running at a little over 400,000 every day. A very ambitious programme.

We are now seeing he first omicron hospital admissions. Within the next couple of weeks we will see the first deaths.

Boosting the booster programme, the introduction of Plan B, are welcome measures, but we should have introduce Plan B more than two weeks ago, we now need to go further, if not lockdown.

• coronavirus vaccine certificate produced and scanned to enter any indoor public space or outdoor gathering
• enforcement of existing measures
• social distancing
• closure of nightclubs and binge drinking bars
• ban on Christmas parties
• sick pay for those self isolating
• work from home wherever possible

I am seeing shops, public transport, a significant minority not wearing masks.

Lunatic fringe of Tory Party frothing at the mouth at minor inconvenience of wearing a mask is not helping, it plays into the hands of anti-vaxx fascists.

England new coronavirus restrictions

Emergence of a new covid-19 mutation in South African, UK has announced new restrictions.

Too little, and why the delay? Requirement to wear masks, will only come into force on Tuesday, and why only public transport and shops, though a small step in the right direction?

New measures include:

• From Tuesday, face coverings will once again be compulsory in shops and on public transport
• All contacts of suspected Omicron cases will be required to self-isolate for 10 days. This is regardless of a person’s vaccination status
• Anyone entering the UK will require a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival and will need to self-isolate until they have a negative result. The change will be brought in “as soon as possible” following agreement with the other UK nations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) – the UK’s vaccine advisory body – will consider giving the booster vaccine “to as wide as group as possible”. It will also reduce the gap between the second dose and booster

Measures on mask wearing should never have been relaxed. Why does it not apply to hospitality, to places where people gather such as theatres?

Utter garbage from Hospitality UK, that mask wearing on public transport will hit public confidence. It is passengers not wearing masks that dents public confidence, that makes people reluctant to use public transport.

We need to be careful not to lump all hospitality together, a coffee shop or restaurant does not pose the same risk as a binge drinking bar or nightclub.

What we do know about Omicron, a new covid-19 mutation, is that it is highly transmissible, has large number of mutations, may not be recognised by antigens, which renders vaccines less effective. All the more reason to bring in measures to slow the spread. We saw how fast Delta spread when the government was slow to act.

• place all countries in Africa on the Red list
• random testing of all arrivals into the UK
• mask wearing indoors and on public transport
• work from home if possible
• close nightclubs and binge drinking bars
• social distancing
• certificate double vaccinated to enter bars, coffee shops, theatres

The vaccine certificate would be scanned with a QR scanner to permit entry, green tick to enter, red cross not permitted, but if not permitted would advise what to do, for example vaccinated or a negative lateral flow test valid for 48 hours.

In Athens, require vaccine certificate double vaccinated which is scanned to enter bar, coffee shop, restaurant, theatre, shops. Failure to comply 500 euros fine, establishment 5000 euro fine and closed. To enter a building or travel on public transport mask wearing mandatory, 100% compliance.

Between Nov 11-26, there were 48 flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Heathrow https://t.co/Dd7WM32wiY If each plane carried 300 passengers, there would have been 14,400 arrivals from South Africa since Omicron was first found.
There were only simple tests on passengers

— AirportWatch (@AirportWatch) November 28, 2021

Unforgivable If it’s true that passengers from S. Africa could freely mix with others in the airport & then take public transport. Why isn’t the Government learning, after all we’ve been through? https://t.co/wxcOe4xRFS

— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) November 27, 2021

Two flights from South Africa to Schiphol, sixty-one passengers tested positive for covid-19, of these thirteen were found to be infected with Omicron. Why was UK not acting as Schiphol, isolating and testing every passenger on flights from South Africa?

It should be a requirement, as is already the case for many countries, negative PCR test result within 48 hours prior to travel, in addition to negative PCR test and self isolation once in the UK.

“It’s probably the biggest international public policy failure of our times.”

Ex-PM @GordonBrown tells @FaisalIslam Covid vaccine inequality deprives “people of the chance to survive the virus, by denying them the chance in so many countries of getting the vaccine”#Newsnight pic.twitter.com/PTJixONUbZ

— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) November 26, 2021

As the new variant omicron hit the news, Moderna stock surged 20%. Its execs have become billionaires.

And yet Moderna still refuses to share its licenses & knowledge with @WHO so that more people around the world can get vaccinated. https://t.co/3RznE6Jli4

— Amy Maxmen, PhD (@amymaxmen) November 27, 2021

“If we do not want Covid-19 to continue exacerbating the racist and colonial world order, we need change. You cannot build high enough walls to keep the consequences of vaccine inequality out.”@_HassanF on #Omicron and #VaccineApartheidhttps://t.co/iTbW49e936

— Global Justice Now (@GlobalJusticeUK) November 28, 2021

BREAKING: 2.5 million nurses from 28 countries have filed for a UN investigation of human rights violations by the EU, UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Singapore for blocking the waiver on Covid-19 vaccine patents as new strains proliferate: https://t.co/Pq4YAqw2op pic.twitter.com/Rj37RqDA4J

— Progressive International (@ProgIntl) November 29, 2021

UK has blocked relaxation of patents on coronavirus vaccines. UK is sitting on stocks of vaccines that it is unlikely to use. These stocks, within a month of expiry, should be shipped to poorer countries to help with their vaccination programmes.

• Omicron Netherlands: 13 air passengers test positive for new variant
• Covid: Sajid Javid defends ‘swift action’ on Omicron variant

Gatwick Airport lax coronavirus biosecurity

Not mandatory to wear a mask. Not even on the shuttle between terminals.

Passengers not wearing masks, staff not wearing masks.

M&S how many have touched the self-service touch screens?

derelict South Terminal Gatwick Airport #airports #tourism #travel #covid19 #coronavirus #Gatwick pic.twitter.com/qLkCMji1fv

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) October 7, 2021

derelict South Terminal Gatwick Airport #airports #tourism #travel #covid19 #coronavirus #Gatwick pic.twitter.com/gH0lJgnGMb

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) October 7, 2021

Gatwick deserted South Terminal #Gatwick #travel #tourism #ClimateEmergency #pm25 pic.twitter.com/TtQYWI3cGc

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) October 7, 2021

lack of social distancing @easyJet check in #EasyJet #Gatwick pic.twitter.com/nWuaVhdrkk

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) October 7, 2021

EasyJet, lack of social distancing at check-in.

Passing through the airport mingling with passengers from God knows where, including high risk countries thanks to lax controls on entering the country.

• PHOTOS Gatwick Airport lax coronavirus biosecurity

Pfizer vaccine second dose

Last week tried at a pharamacy, mislead it was walk in, but was not, had to book anappoinatment, but can always try, we maybe have a camcelelatkion.

Tried again yesterday, closed for lunch.

I returned later, no cancellations, but as I was a couple of weeks at least overdue for second vaccination, they agreed to give me my second dose.

Ouch, it hurt. Rested for fifteen minutes, no adverse side effects.

A very hot day, as nearby Brayford, decided to sit outside for lunch, The Square Sale service abysmal, as was William IV and the food was disgusting. Smell of sewage wafting over whilst sat outside William IV but at least pleasant sat in the shade of a tree overlooking Brayford Pool, and I thought it wise to rest.

Evening, my arm ached, night-time, very tired, arm ached and made sleep not easy.

Next day, ie today, felt terrible, woke up not feeling good. Feeling a little better I got up, I felt as though hard work in the garden stiff, ached all over, could barely move.

Late night, very tired.

Lincoln coronavirus cases worst in the country

Lincoln for first five days this week worst place for coronavirus cases descends into farce with half hearted surge testing.

Lincoln for first five days this week worst place for coronavirus cases descends into farce with half hearted surge testinghttps://t.co/vvHOV21Go8 #coronavirus #covid19 #Lincoln #Lincolnshire @looknorthBBC @bbcnews @itvnews @Channel4News @thelincolnite @LincsLive @LincsFM

— Keith Parkins (@keithpp) August 6, 2021

Shops no requirement to wear mask when entering.

Public transport passengers not wearing masks coronavirus death traps.

Binge drinking bars top end of High Street, The Strait and Bailgate.

Come September, if not mandated double vaccinated, returning students will turn city into coronavirus hotspot.

There is no city centre permanent vaccine centre, nor has there been.

Steampunk Festival was wisely cancelled. Why has the Lincoln Christmas Market not been cancelled?

• Covid: Lincoln shops to offer tests as infections rise

Pfizer vaccine first dose

Two weeks ago I passed a pop up vaccination centre. Last week I visited to find not there.

Today, a pop up vaccination centre on Brayford. I expected a long queue. No queue.

To my surprise I did not feel either needle or vaccine.

My arm felt heavy but otherwise nothing.

I forgot I had had a vaccine.

Second dose in eight weeks.

• PHOTOS pop up vaccine clinic Brayford

side effects

Initially, apart from my arm feeling a little heavy, nothing.

Early hours of the morning raising my arm to remove my shirt my arm painful.

Four in the morning, end of my fingers, as though being stung or needles inserted.

Next day, feeling rough, ache.

Two days later, mowing the lawns, close to collapse. I then ache and can barely move.

Hard physical work following vaccination not wise.

NHS vaccination programme .

Development of vaccines, roll out of vaccination, pop up centres, the only success.

Too late to lock down, relax too soon.

Crass stupidity of Eat Out to Help Out.

Failure to close borders to India and Nepal.

Serco track and trace.

We are now entering a Third Wave with cases rising rapidly and government proposes a relaxation of all remaining restrictions.

Update

Massive surge in cases, latest lockdown yet to feed through. Cases for several days dropped very rapidly, an anomoly, no one knows why.

Today more crass stupidity, no requirement for travellers from medium risk countries to isolate.

Long term effects of vaccine. I am very weak. I do not feel weak, but any physical exercise, carrying shopping, and I realise how weak I am.

Lincoln coronavirus lockdown day fifty-four

Saturday like Friday, starts off with a chill to the air, clear blue sky, sun warm.

It is becoming like August of last year, too many people out, behaving as though coronavirus does not exist. No surprise that across the country covid-19 cases beginning to rise. Lincoln is now above the national average for new coronavirus cases.

Sincil Street busy.

From butcher, chicken thighs wrapped in streaky bacon, as favour to me, a regular.

Look in 200 Degrees, curious, coffee from India, I am told it is good. Maybe try one day. Anything is better than their cheap house blend.

Two lots of prawns from fishmonger, including raw king prawns for prawn toast toastie for tea.

No customers zero waste store in Central Market as I pass by. What I am learning, people are visiting Lincoln Eco Pantry in Bailgate, a wider ranger of stock. There may though be another reason. Lincoln Eco Pantry built up a following long before they opened. They were due or at least rumoured to open at two different premises before Bailgate, but for whatever reason, did not happen. In the meantime, the stall in the market stole a march on them.

Chat with barista Angel Coffee House. He tells me Ozone was the best of the coffee they had tried. Begs the question what had they tried? He does not know. I suggest they try Cartwheel Coffee and Outpost Coffee. If I pass by again, I will suggest try espresso blend from DT Coffee Roastery. I also suggested Coffee Gems.

I raise reusable cups, they should not be accepting as a disease vector. I am told what I was told before, we fill a jug, then fill the reusable cup. Before I was also told, we trust our customers.

Whilst we are chatting, a man hands over a reusable cup to be filled, barista takes away, fills with coffee, then hands back.

I question then man. I’m ok, I have been vaccinated. Actually no, you have had the first dose, you are at risk and put others at risk.

I am now encountering ignorance of vaccines, I’ve been vaccinated, therefore I am OK. No, you have had one dose. .

A woman on a bus a couple of weeks ago. I have bene vaccinated, I am OK. Coffee Aroma had a customer walk in claiming they did not have to wear a mask, been vaccinated.

When people go to be vaccinated, they need to be given clear information, that they are still at risk, are a risk to others, must still carry on with coronavirus biosecurity.

I think try Vines early. No bread left people were queuing from nine in the morning.

Again many people around Steep Hill and Bailgate, though not as many as last weekend, but still very busy.

No farmers market, cancelled. Why, no idea. It seems they are cancelled on a whim.

Sourdough bread from Redhill fam shop. Not what I wished for, but all they have.

Lincoln Eco Pantry looks busy, I do not pop in.

Haddock and chips from Elite on the Bail. Pleaant sat in the sun.

Take a walk round to Stokes at the Lawn. As I suspected, closes at three. I arrive just after three. They offer to serve me, I say ok and decline the offer, I was checking if open.

Cappuccino from Coffee Aroma.

• PHOTOS Lincoln coronavirus lockdown day fifty-four