“I saw storm clouds gathering in parts of the European continent,” Boris Johnson Said last week“We have been here before and we remember what happens when the waves start to roll.”
For anyone who has experienced the winter of the past year, the Prime Minister’s warning is full of ominous signs—the stubborn and optimistic government at the time refused to support the implementation of coronavirus restrictions during Christmas, but was forced to Reverse position At the last minute. This move confirmed the severity of the long and grim second wave, which proved to be more deadly than the first wave — and fundamentally changed many of us’s perceptions of the coronavirus, eliminating our ability to quickly turn the page and All hope of rejuvenation is the same as before.
One year later, Johnson was right: European situation Disturbing. In Germany, cases are at the highest level since the pandemic began. In the Netherlands, curfews and orders for sporting events in empty stadiums have been restored. In Croatia, the daily mortality rate is higher than a year ago. last week, Reuters report The African continent accounts for more than half of the world’s infections and about half of the new deaths.
For the UK, this is good reason to worry-but there are also reasons to be more optimistic. In this episode, the scientific editor of the Guardian, Ian Sample,and Nosin Iqbal About that complicated picture. He explained why the situation across the Strait may be different, reflecting factors ranging from the early prevalence of the British Delta variant to vaccination rates. He looked forward to the possible impact of antiviral treatment, which could have a significant impact on the damage caused by Covid-19. Finally, he answered the question asked by each audience: Will he go to the Christmas party?
Photo: Mark Markla/Reuters
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