There are several things going on re. COVID over a few threads but I think this is the best place for me to reply and I'm glad TOBW has posted re. the players and clarified, at least, some of their status re. vaccinations.

Rather than write a long post I'll bullet point my own information and experiences so as to clarify a few things re. the vaccine. All this is with the caveat that I'm extremely clinically vulnerable with an immune system that's f*cked (I've stopped using the word compromised as it's just too lame).

1. Assumption that the players catching COVID because they haven't been double-jabbed (DJ) will only be made by those thinking the DJ will protect them from catching it. It doesn't. But it will significantly reduce the chances of a hospital admission and/or death.

2. IMO players who refuse the vaccine (and we know there are some) are barking mad.

3. I've had COVID twice since DJ and it's f*cking awful even when a hospital admission wasn't necessary. I recognise that my systems will be much worse due to Multiple Sclerosis but nevertheless, trust me, you don't want to catch COVID.

4. The introduction of Vaccine Passports (VP) IMO is vital to increase the take-up of vaccine and reduce the severe stress on the NHS systems.

5. Reducing the stress on the NHS means other serious illnesses can be treated properly and increases both the quality of life and longevity because vital services aren't clogged up. e.g. radiology for MRIs and X-Rays which have long waiting lists for those who have yet to be diagnosed with life-threatening illnesss such as cancers or neurological-degenerative illnesses. This also links in to vital physiotherapy services for all patients including COVID patients.

6. IMO wearing masks should be mandatory in all public spaces including football stadia and those refusing should f*cking man-up, stop acting like wimps and spend a day with me to see just what it means if you end up becoming infected. If you have an un-diagnosed condition e.g. an immune system that's misfiring (or starts misfiring) or an undiagnosed cancer, then the last thing you want is COVID on top of this. It's a f*cking mask FFS it's not like you have to strap electrodes to your leg every time you go out just to be able to put one foot in from of the other, use crutches or a wheelchair, strap a convene to your leg just so you can take a p*ss or stop yourself p*ssing in public, or take grams of painkillers just to get up, lose sight in one or both eyes several times a day, every day. It's a mask. Don't be pathetic.

7. Developing vaccines for variants is not a quick process and there will be more variants. I studied pharmacology, biochemistry and microbiology (my PhD is in pharmacology) and spent 20 years heading Pharma development teams before MS forced early retirement and a change in career. This is an arms war and the sooner that's accepted the sooner we can adapt as a society. We're a long way away from doing that.

8. Have I said you really don't want COVID? Also, there's long COVID which isn't being addressed by governments or even planned for. Long COVID and its long-term outcomes are unknown. But I can say this. Diseases like MS are still misunderstood and their causes but one area that's really clear is that viral load and the triggers of central nervous system damage point in that direction. You won't know the effects of COVID for maybe decades. Why take chances early on?

9. This turned into a long post after all so sorry about that.

10. Get down to CSS and watch a game no matter how sh*t we are because you really don't know if the last game you went to was your last. Trust me on this. I'll be there this afternoon for those exact reasons.