New South African variant.

[JimSh]

New Zealand and their ( failed ) draconian zero covid policy now looks like St Jacinda was the 'King Canute of Covid'... they are seeing a massive surge in cases and a lot of deaths in last few weeks... 700,000 cases in a country of less than 5 million.. New Zealand is one of the most vaccinated countries  on the planet.

Deaths/Million population 
New Zealand 66   
UK  2417 

Total cases/Million population
New Zealand 136817
UK                309698


Source  Worldometer 2/4/2022
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

Better to be having the cases now when the majority of the population is vaccinated than earlier in the pandemic when there was little vaccination.

https://ourworldindata.org/covid-deaths?country=GBR~NZL     

Edit Added world in data graph

[madasafish]

New Zealand and their ( failed ) draconian zero covid policy now looks like St Jacinda was the 'King Canute of Covid'... they are seeing a massive surge in cases and a lot of deaths in last few weeks... 700,000 cases in a country of less than 5 million.. New Zealand is one of the most vaccinated countries  on the planet.

Deaths/Million population 
New Zealand 66   
UK  2417 

Total cases/Million population
New Zealand 136817
UK                309698


Source  Worldometer 2/4/2022
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

Better to be having the cases now when the majority of the population is vaccinated than earlier in the pandemic when there was little vaccination.

https://ourworldindata.org/covid-deaths

Edit Added world in data graph

Don't confuse us with FACTS. :'(


Until 2 months ago, we had seen no  (Zero) Covid cases  in nearly two years amongst people who are close acquaintances. In the past  month we have seen:
Our neighbours across the road - late 70s, husband in bed at home for three days.Wife caught from him.
A pair in their 80s who I used to see regularly when I shopped in Aldi. Last time I saw them there,they were no longer wearlng masks -I was - and they tested positive next week.
Two members of our beekeeping club whom I see weekly.Both work with children.
And  five other friends of my wife.

[JimSh]

Don't confuse us with FACTS. :'(


Until 2 months ago, we had seen no  (Zero) Covid cases  in nearly two years amongst people who are close acquaintances. In the past  month we have seen:
Our neighbours across the road - late 70s, husband in bed at home for three days.Wife caught from him.
A pair in their 80s who I used to see regularly when I shopped in Aldi. Last time I saw them there,they were no longer wearlng masks -I was - and they tested positive next week.
Two members of our beekeeping club whom I see weekly.Both work with children.
And  five other friends of my wife.

Yep, there's a lot more of it about here too.
The government want us to believe it's all over (removal of restrictions and free testing) and won't do anything until after there's an emergency situation in hospitals, schools, shops or whatever.

[RichardA]

I had the Pfizer vaccine and I have never caught Covid.

Same here. Vaccinated back in May and July with the booster in Decemeber.

At work we are still required to wear masks when not sitting at our desks or eating or drinking. Two metre social distance unless unavoidable and one person per table in the canteen.

One person in my office has been off for a good two weeks or so. She was shielding from the second week in March 2020 until Novemeber that year.

[JimSh]

XE (XD & XF)

https://medriva.com/what-is-the-omicron-xe-variant-and-why-are-scientists-concerned-about-their-rapid-transmission-rates-fueling-the-uk/#gs.vplfzu

See conclusion.
"Once again, the UK is experiencing another rapid rise of infections, with many cases of Omicron being detected each and every day. Combine it with laxity in personal protection and complete relaxation of COVID-19 protocols and you have a ticking time bomb on your hands. The government seems to have lost its way regarding Omicron outbreaks as it grapples with other economic issues of concern, relaxing Covid norms and trying to sleep its way through the issue."

"We all need direction from our governments, and the government seems to have lost its way as it tussles with one issue after another. Since all COVID-19 precautionary measures are now removed, if you are living in the UK, you’ve got to think on your own and not let your guard down. You should continue to follow the COVID guidelines diligently with responsibility."

[JimSh]

Wise words as usual from Devi Sridhar

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/12/herd-immunity-covid-reinfection-virus-world

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-01787-2.epdf?sharing_token=5n6f_QHeuzpVekzkK2_8TdRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0OL2wi0qx49kTpxiYdG7fZxoYVzZuErP5a6wWsUlNyW_oO_Vij4IM1oypA0y0BZx

Edit Added Nature link