Here's Hoping for a Better 2021!

We can but hope!

Crisis, What Crisis?

I wish I could be as optimistic as John Sauven who thinks, that in 2021, humanity may direct the same collective effort, to solving the problem of climate change, as they did to dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/31/amid-2020s-gloom-reasons-hopeful-climate-2021). I personally feel that the cases are very different. The Covid-19 pandemic presented clear and obvious dangers to all branches of society (albeit some moreso than others) in all countries. There were health dangers (including 1.6 million deaths) and immediate economic problems, that were obvious to all. Everyone had a vested interest in solving both, including the usually short-termist politicians (a solution within their terms of office was desirable). Nobody was really against coming up with solutions, unless you count the antivaxx movement and ultra-libertarian folk. The main debates were about the relative importances of the health and economics. There were even kudos and money to be made in finding solutions. Although the dangers of climate change should now be becoming more widely evident, they don't affect all stratas of society and countries equally. There still seem to be quite a few people (including some prominent politicians), who really don't see the urgency needed to deal with this issue. There is a poor understanding of tipping points, when reversing changes can become difficult or even next to impossible. Climate change has real opponents, such as some major petrochemical companies and politicians hell-bent on 'growth'. I suspect that there will be a demand to get the economies functioning as they were before, as we come out of the Covid-19 pandemic. More emissions, more beef, more air travel, exotic holidays, space tourism et cetera, et cetera. I hope I am wrong. I cannot, however, see the same kind of collective endeavour being directed towards finding solutions for this, even more dangerous, emergency.

Never mind the Quality: Look at the Numbers!

More news about the plans for the roll-out of vaccination against Covid-19 in the UK. It appears that the UK's Medicines and Health products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) are playing a bit 'fast and loose' with their approvals (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/questions-hang-over-uks-rollout-of-oxfordastrazeneca-jab). Like them, I am very keen that we get as many people as possible, protected by vaccines, as quickly as possible. There is, however, a possibility that, in the rush to maximise numbers, we might endanger the level of final protection. The MHRA have approved both the Oxford/AstraZeneca and the Pfiser/BioNTech vaccines being given as a single dose, with the 2nd dose following up to 12 weeks later. Both vaccines were tested by their makers with a typical 3 week period between the 2 doses (and it's on this basis, that the much-acclaimed protection levels, offered by the vaccines, were calculated). As one of the makers says "there is no data to demonstrate that protection after a first dose is sustained after 21 days". So there might, at best, be a 9 week period between the 1st and 2nd doses, when people would assume they were protected, when this is not actually the case. There is even a worse possibility, that increasing the time between the 2 doses might compromise (to an uncertain extent) the final protection offered by the vaccines. Whilst I understand the urgency, I wonder if the MHRA are being influenced by the government's clear obsession with headline numbers (as is clearly evident in the test and trace debacle) and are going further than the evidence allows to accommodate them? I appreciate that it takes time to manufacture the vaccines but it might be better to have a smaller number of immunities that we can rely on?

Tiers Throughout the UK on New Year's Eve

The Covid-19 pandemic (with its new variant) is creating a toxic ending to 2020 in many parts of the UK. Covid-19 patients in English hospitals have now reached almost 22,000, a higher figure than in the first wave of viral infections. This was easily predicted, given the 'Christmas truce' that went unrecognised by the virus. It has just been announced that 75% of the English population will end the year in tier 4 (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/covid-millions-more-in-england-to-enter-tier-4). Tier 4 has currently the highest levels of restriction (some people are advocating, an even more restrictive, tier 5). People in tier 4 are instructed to, where possible, stay at home; only meet 1 to 1 outdoors and only have access to essential (largely food) shops. Millions of people in Greater Manchester, the North-east and large parts of the Midlands and South-west are being moved to this highest tier. One should note that Northern Ireland, mainland Scotland and Wales already have highly restrictive rule (although they don't use the tier system). It will be interesting to see how closely people stick to the rules in their areas. There are at least signs of a belated understanding of the seriousness of the situation, with news that the returns of pupils to secondary schools (in England) and students to university (more generally), will both be delayed. Who would have guessed?

Biodiversity Boom or Bust?

Like the recent identification of new plant and fungi species by Kew Gardens, the revealing of 503 'new' animals by London's Natural History Museum (NHM) paints an misleadingly rosy picture (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/30/moths-to-monkeys-503-new-species-identified-by-uk-scientists). A new species of monkey (the Popa langur), 9 new snakes and a lungless worm salamader (that could take in enough oxygen via its skin -although this is based on the one specimen that has been found)! What's not to like! We have to remember, however, that identifying new species is one of the things that taxonomists (Kew Gardens and NHM have some of the finest) do. Taxonomists have recently, been aided in this process by new technologies, including DNA bar-coding. I'm excited by the findings, but note with some trepidation that some were based on specimens (like the 'new' monkey), that have been in the museum collections for up to 100 years. So, although it looks as if we have more species than was formerly thought, things are likely to be disappearing before we have even recognised them.

A Partial Vaccine Roll Out?

Some good news as the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine (which is said to be being made available at cost price), has been approved by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority for roll-out here (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/30/oxford-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-approved-by-uk-regulator). Although it has been tested on fewer people and seems less effective than the Pfiser/BioNTech vaccine, it does have the advantage of being stable in standard refrigeration units. It should, consequently, be much easier to get it into care homes and for it to be dispensed by General Practioner services. The roll out (focusing initially on vulnerable groups), is due to start on Monday 4th January 2021. I am somewhat concerned by the decision to concentrate on giving 1st injections as widely as possible. Second injections will be given but will have a lower priority. I am not certain how much protection (and for how long) you get with a single jab. There is a report of a male Californian nurse, who had received a 1st injection of the Pfiser/BioNTech vaccine, testing positive for Covid-19, one week later. He would have been likely to have been exposed to high viral doses in his place of work and protection (only 50% for the initial jab) takes several days to be established. It is interesting (and somewhat worrying in terms of wider protections) that the European Medical Authority (dealing with the EU), claim to have, not yet, been provided with data relating to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. They are consequently not in a position to start the approval process for this vaccine in the EU. We really need to hit the virus as widely as possible and that includes in neighbouring countries.

With Parsley and Thyme?

The Brits really like their acronyms but it can get very confusing (even for themselves). The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) is an official (appointed) collective of individuals who provide scientific and technical advice to support government decision-making, including that surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. Independent SAGE is a group of scientists working together to provide independent scientific advice to the UK government and public, on how to minimise death and support Britain's recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. This second group has a narrower focus and aims to be 'more transparent' than its official counterpart. I suspect that they also feel that members of official SAGE, might be somewhat constrained in terms of what they can say, by their political 'masters'. Stephen Reicher of Independent SAGE has provided a 5 point emergency plan, just at the time when the new, 56% more tranmissable variant (B117) of Covid-19 has reached Germany and India from the UK (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/28/covid-vaccine-uk-restrictions-independent-sage). Many parts of the plan seem entirely sensible to me (they would, as I have been advocating some of them for some time). Independent SAGE is calling for:- 1. A fast roll-out of vaccines They suggest, that this should be largely done via the 8000 General Practitioners, who should be given extra resources (when dealing with seasonal influenza, 2 million vaccinations are carried out each week and a similar level of activity would be needed for Covid-19). Independent SAGE note that vaccination is not the complete answer and that some groups of folk (e.g. lactating women) cannot currently be vaccinated. 2. Putting in place National Control Measures Independent SAGE says that personal (especially International) travel needs to be closely monitored and regulated. They advocate (they are currently at variance with the UK government on this) that schools should be closed until safety has been much improved (e.g. by having smaller class sizes and free face masks for all pupils). They also suggest that University teaching should be entirely online, until much better control of the pandemic is achieved. 3. Improvements to the government's 'Test-Trace-Isolate regime Independent SAGE want to see tracing back (who an individual was infected by) as well as tracing forward (who the individual gave to disease to). They clearly think (I agree) that the private sector is 'not up to the job' as it requires local, specialist knowledge. Independent SAGE notes that, in the UK, only 20% of people actually self-isolate, following infection and suggest that practical (financial?) support is needed to improve this figure. 4. Changes to Workplaces Independent SAGE suggest that funds should be made available for necessary changes. They also feel that there must be inspection of all premises and certification of those that meet the standards. This would, they feel, improve confidence in the public using these locations. 5. Financial Support for Sectors of the Public Independent SAGE note that Covid-19 and the measures to control its transmission, impact most heavily on vulnerable populations. They strongly advocate improving help to individuals and businesses, who are vulnerable. Although these measures are likely to be very expensive and somewhat bureaucratic, this seems a broadly sensible set of suggestions. How many will see the light of day, in a battle of Sage vs Independent SAGE?

Positives and Negatives Associated with a Lockdown-Induced Awakening of Interest in Nature

Isabella Tree makes several interesting points in her opinion piece on the impact of Covid-19 restriction on both humans and the natural world (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/28/lockdown-nature-expense-wildlife). Tree points out, that the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions of humans, actually benefitted certain animals (particularly ground-nesting birds) and plants by reducing factors like disturbance, mowing of roadside verges et cetera. A very basic example she provides is the marked reduction in the numbers of mammals ending up as road-kill, as a consequence of there being fewer cars on the roads. Bird song has also been much more prominent, with the relative absence of noise from cars and aircraft. Tree also notes, however, an encouraging lockdown increase in interest (almost a nostalgia?) for the natural world. This was evidenced by a massive increase in the accessing of webcams located in national parks, conservation areas and other places. Greater interest might well result in more support for conservation. She notes, however, that the easing of lockdown restrictions, over the summer led to a 'flood' of visitors (generally by car) to 'wild' places. Carparks at localities were overrun. There was also a massive increase in the disturbances to which animals were subjected, as well as trampling of areas away from designated paths. It was almost as if the 'new' human interest in nature, was partly responsible for destroying it. Tree argues, not unreasonably, that a) humans need to be better educated on ways of minimising their detrimental effects on nature and b) in the UK, in particular, we need to find ways of reducing the need to use cars to access our 'wild' places.

Swan Power

Mute swans pair bond closely. This was, apparently, the cause of several trains being delayed on the Kassel to Gottingen line, in Germany, at Fuldatal (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/28/swan-song-german-firefighters-remove-mourning-swan-blocking-railway-line). One swan appeared to be 'mourning' its partner, who had been killed whilst flying into the overhead electricity lines that powered the trains. The mourning swan sat on the rail tracks, until both it and its partner's body were removed by police and fire-fighters. The story is treated somewhat anthropomorphically but pair bonds are important to swans and many other bird species.

Back to School?

Now who would have guessed that returning pupils to secondary schools (as well as students to University) after Christmas, would 'involve some very, very tough choices' if we want to keep Covid-19 under control in january? ( https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/28/coronavirus-michael-gove-reopening-englands-schools-will-involve-trade-offs). It's not rocket science, so I guess most of us would! Even though the advice on Christmas mixing was belatedly scaled back somewhat, we had a) an event that would inevitably increase viral transmission and b) an apparently more infective variant of the virus, doing the rounds. I personally don't think that, in the case of secondary schools, staggering returns is going to achieve very much. The pupils mix in the schools and will also contact teachers and support workers. All of these, generally return home each evening, potentially exposing other members of their families to the virus (this will include, in particular cases, parents, spouses and younger children). So much for the effects of staggering (it will occur in school but not at home)! I must admit to finding the government's attempts to appear macho with respect to schools and teachers, disturbing. Desiring something and creating the circumstances, where it is possible, are two different things. I wish they would learn that.

Covid Effects on Mental Health

Dr Adrian James, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK, suggests that the Covid-19 pandemic, will have a more serious effect on mental health in the country, than any event since the second world war (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/27/covid-poses-greatest-threat-to-mental-health-since-second-world-war). He notes that mental health effects stem directly from the disease, its social consequences and the inevitable economic fall-out resulting from the pandemic. One might give a few specific examples. Long-Covid certainly has profound effects on the nervous system and appears capable of preventing a normal, early return to an active life. The need to reduce infection rates, also means that medical treatment and nursing cannot be done in a typical fashion with a human 'face'. Social isolation (also necessary to limit transmission of the virus) can have very detrimental effects on mental health. End of life (whether Covid-19-related or not) has not been able to accommodate normal grieving processes with funerals et cetera. It is even very difficult for Psychiatrists and other mental health workers to deal directly, face-to-face with any patients (Zoom meeting are just not the same). Educational services are also massively disrupted, as is the ability of people to start or continue a career. There must be substantial increases in levels of anxiety, fear and, even, guilt in the population. None of these are conducive to mental health. Dr James reckons there may be, as many as 10 million people in the UK (with 1.5 million of these being children), who will require prolonged treatment for mental health issues, long after the pandemic is under control. Sadly, mental health has always been a Cinderella subject, in terms of its funding in the UK. Getting the necessary level of support, might be extremely difficult in a damaged economy.

Off Piste?

I'm starting to think that the British skiing fraternity deserve a special mention for their efforts in Covid-19 transmission. It has ben reported that around 200 of the 400+ British visitors to the Swiss ski resort of Verbier have done a 'midnight flit' in order to break the quarantine rules imposed upon them (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/27/hundreds-uk-tourists-flee-covid-quarantine-swiss-ski-resort-verbier). Back in the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in the UK, the unusual distribution pattern suggested that skiers had a role there. Unlike other European countries, outbreaks of viral transmission were widely spread across the country, rather than being limited to major cities. It was suggested that people returning from skiing holidays in Northern Italy (where the outbreak had occurred somewhat earlier) played a role in carrying the virus back across the UK. I'm sure the virus appreciates their continued efforts.

Plague Island?

Cases of the new (presumably more infective) variant of Covid-19 have now be identified in Spain, Sweden and Switzerland (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/27/scientists-call-for-nationwide-lockdown-after-rapid-spread-of-covid-19-variant). In all cases, these outbreaks have been linked to people arriving from the UK. The UK (notably London and the SE of England) is, of course, the major focus for this variant. The spread of the virus in this area, has led some scientists to urge that the whole country should immediately be placed in tier 4 (the strictest lockdown condition). English hospitals have also been urged to free up as many beds as possible (hopefully not, this time, by decanting Covid-19 infected patients into Care Homes) in anticipation of a surge in Covid-19 patients (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/27/hospitals-in-england-told-to-free-up-all-possible-beds-for-surging-covid-cases).

An Early Bird Catches the Virus

Like many people, I would be a good deal happier if the Covid-19 'mass vaccination' in Europe, was being rolled out a bit more quickly (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/27/vaccination-rolls-out-across-europe-but-anger-remains-over-late-start). Some 300 million doses of the Pfiser/BioNtech vaccine have been bulk-ordered by the EU (you actually need 2 doses of the vaccine per patient and more than 740 million people live in Europe, so around only 20% of the population could be treated with this material). Apparently, the first 12.5 million doses have been delivered and vaccinations have started/will start more-or-less simultaneously in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain on the 27th and 28th of December. The laid-back Irish will only start injecting on the 30th. The bulk-order was to stop rich countries buying up the vaccine first. The late start is due to worries about the 'cold chain' needed for this mRNA vaccine. Other vaccines are in the pipeline but some face delays, before they are likely to be approved (in one case, it seems likely to be the end of 2021 before it will become available). All this seems a bit too slow and localised. The longer the virus is in populations (any population), the more opportunity it has to mutate.

My Ten Strongest Misgivings About Brexit Ranked and Explained to Americans

Perhaps I'm getting a taste for this politics thing? The real effects of the UK leaving the European Union will be evident at the start of 2021. As an academic, who married a Dutch woman and who enjoyed travelling and camping in different countries, I think you can guess that I was never an enthusiast for this project. Democracy is, however, democracy. Its downside is that people can always be 'sold' a false prospectus. Usually (but not in this case), you get a chance to reverse it at the next election. At the risk of boring my readers from the USA (my largest cohort), I would ask them to think on how they might react to, say California, narrowly deciding to leave the other 51 states. Leaving, would mean that only Californian politicians (love them or hate them) could decide who had the right to live in (being married to a Californian might not be sufficient, as is the case here) or even enter their state. Californian politicians would also control what goods could be imported. They could make their own laws and set their own taxes, without reference to the other 51 (so there would be State but no Federal rules). California would have its own police and armed forces, who might or might not have good relations with their counterparts in the other states. Bureaucracy would have to be greatly and expensively increased to 'control' things. Of course, the 'boot would also be on the other foot', as the 51 would have to collectively decide how to deal with California and the Californians (California is big but it's much smaller than the 51). I appreciate that the parallel with Brexit is inexact but some of the following could also become issues if California also went for sovereignty over economics/convenience. My top ten Brexit gripes are :- 1. It stops the UK from being part of a powerful collective, dealing with environmental issues such as climate change, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, animal and plant diseases et cetera (in spite of the fact that environmental factors do not recognise national boundaries); 2. It stops the UK from being part of a powerful collective, when interacting with apparently ubiquitous but often tax-averse, mega corporations (small countries are easy to pick off); 3. I also think that UK science will be in a poorer situation after Brexit. Science is generally a collective activity and, being in the EU, greatly facilitated this (I would even say that Brits had a natural advantage, because English is the language of most science publications). I enjoyed my many collaborations with colleagues in other EU countries.; 4. I am saddened that the ease of travel for Brits, in EU countries, will be greatly curtailed (the easy recognition of driving licences without 'green cards' and provision of EU-wide medical assistance both go. Visas will be needed, for longer stays).; 5. Mutual recognition of qualifications (such as ability to practice archetecture, medicine, nursing or dentistry) will cease, along with removal of the right to work in other EU countries. Pre-Brexit, the UK did very well, in terms of both providing job opportunities for its young citizens and attracting skilled individuals into its own industries and universities; 6. Loss of our ability to trade really freely might, I feel, result in higher food prices and reduced choice in terms of what we can buy (wine and food are 2 of my enthusiasms); 7. As I think antagonisms are reduced, when one can experience a wide range of cultures and traditions (I appreciate that some people appear threatened by differences), I am saddened that Brexit is likely to make people of the UK more insular.; 8. The ERASMUS scheme (I was an early enthusiast), enabled students from any EU country to do part of their studies in another member state. This gave UK students a chance for a 'taster' of what it might be like to study or work abroad. I am unhappy that students in the UK (except Northern Ireland) will cease to have access to the scheme.; 9. I think it's silly that the UK will no longer be part of pan-European mechanisms that deal with crime and terrorism. and 10. Brexit panders to a peculiar, and I think unattractive, English (I am English, by birth) character-flaw of believing in their own exceptionalism. I can't see many positives in Brexit and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.

Brazil: Environment vs Agriculture?

The BR-364 is one of the major roads of Brazil. It is currently a 2700 mile long highway from Sao Paulo. It now appears there is a plan (last mooted when the country was under a military dictatorship) to bulldoze a 94 mile extension to the Amazon state of Acre and onwards to several Peruvian Pacific ports (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/26/alarm-over-amazon-road-project-brazil-bolsonaro-biodoverse-indigenous-communities). The road will cut through national parks containing some of the most biodiverse areas of our planet. The construction will also encroach on land that was designated for indigenous peoples. And why do they want to do this? Reportedly in order to export agricultural products (soya bean and beef?) more efficiently to China. I suspect that some of this agriculural product has already been generated by deforestation in other parts of this country. The whole project seems designed to destroy the rainforest as quickly as possible. People don't seem to learn that once it's gone, it's gone!

Mass Whale Stranding in Yorkshire

I know the area quite well, so it was sad to read that a pod of 10 Sperm whales had beached themselves, on Christmas eve, between Tunstall and Withernsea in Yorkshire (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/24/group-of-whales-washed-up-on-east-yorkshire-beach). Sperm whales are very large and it proved impossible for helpers, to get these cetaceans out again into the North sea from this shallow area. All the whales died. This seems to have been the biggest mass stranding in England, since records began in 1913. As usual, it is difficult to establish the reasons for the occurence of this sad event.

Flat Oysters Reintroduce Themselves

European flat oysters have not been seen in Belfast Lough for over 100 years. Scientists were consequently surprised to find substantial numbers of these edible bivalves in the Lough, apparently without the aid of a reintroduction programme (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/26/oysters-return-belfast-lough). There have been reintroduction programmes for European flat oysters in a number of European locations, as the species has been threatened by the introduction of the alien Pacific oyster in fisheries. Perhaps all that was needed in Belfast, was an improvement in the nutrition content of the waters of the Lough and the spat followed?

Monkey Business?

The Barbary macaque colony on Gibraltar has been described as 'Europe's only wild monkeys'. This is, however, a somehat dubious claim, as these primates probably originated from pets left behind by garrisoned British soldiers. These popular (with tourists) primates are being examined by vets, on a daily basis, in an attempt to ensure they remain uninfected by Covid-19 (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/26/gibraltar-vets-make-daily-patrols-to-check-macaques-for-coronavirus). The macaques normally spend quite a lot of time (begging for food et cetera) in close proximity to humans. Their similarity to our species also suggests they are likely to be susceptible to the virus. It would be sad if the macaques contracted Covid-19 but it could also prove dangerous to human health. A new host provides new opportunities for viral mutations. Humans could get a new, 'improved' viral strain back if we are not careful.

A Is For Antibody

University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and AstraZeneca have created, in the laboratory, a long-acting antibody therapy for Sars-CoV-2 (AZD7442), that they expect to be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency next week (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/25/uk-scientists-trial-drug-to-prevent-coronavirus-infection-leading-to-disease). Antibodies are the proteins, normally produced by particular white blood cells (so-called 'T' cells), in response to the foreign proteins of invading viruses, bacteria et cetera. They are an important component of the body's immune response and their production, can be triggered by exposure to the disease agent or vaccination. The intention here, is to inject a cocktail of the monoclonal antibodies (these are produced by cloning activated 'T' cells) directly, in the expectation that they will immediately attack the viral particles. The team hope that the cocktail will provide protection against Covid-19 for between 6 and 12 months. Two 'double blind' (where neither the patient nor the doctor knows, until the code is broken, who has received the cocktail and who has received placebo) trials are being carried out in British hospitals (including UCLH) and a network of 100 global sites. The major study (called 'Storm Chaser') involves the cocktail being offered to people, who have been exposed to Covid-19 in the previous 8 days. If the trials are successful, the hope is that the 'immediate immunity' offered by the treatment could be used to stop outbreaks of infection (in families, hospitals, care homes or universities). It might also be used to protect people (especially the elderly) whilst the vaccination programme is being rolled out. The protective effects of vaccination takes some time to develop. A second smaller study ('Provent') will look at the ability of AZD7442 to protect 'immunocompromised' patients from the effects of Covid-19 infections. These individuals have weak immune systems and do not show a normal response to the virus, by producing their own antibodies. Immunocompromising occurs in an AIDS infection (where the HIV virus directly infects and destroys 'T' cells). It also occurs in people getting treatments for cancer or who have had an organ transplant (these last individuals, have to be permanently maintained on immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection). Both studies seem likely to increase our armamentarium of therapies for dealing with Covid-19 (perhaps even eliminating the virus from sections of the population). There is no reason why they should not work, as some people have already been helped by being given plasma from recovered Covid-19 patients (this would contain antibodies). A slight worry (and I do mean slight) is that the monoclonial antibodies are, in effect, foreign proteins. In the case of non-immunocompromised patients, there is a possibility of developing antibodies to the antibodies. That might make the patient (whose 'T' cells have not been primed by the virus) less responsive to a subsequent treatment with the AZD77442 cocktail. I am sure, however, that this will be looked at.

Top Ten Wishes for 2021?

This kind of exercise is always dangerous. On the one hand, you can simply reveal that you are in favour of motherhood and apple pie. On the other hand, you can just be revealing your own private obessions. It can also look as if you are trying to preach to people (and I dread people preaching to me!). For better or worse, however, I thought it might be useful to get my ranked top 10 out there, to see if they chimed with other people's ideas. So apologies, in advance, for any omissions and/or ambiguities, that might irritate people. My Top Ten are :- 1. For all governments and people to take their roles in ameliorating the effects of climate change seriously (and not to just talk about it and make 'promises'); 2. For all governments and people to take responsibility for how their activities impact on the integrity of ecological systems and biodiversity. These also determine the health and viability of the planet; 3. Put into place mechanisms for monitoring emerging viral zoonoses (of which, Covid-19 is one of the latest) and to organise science, so that it minimises their effects; 4. To stop ignoring other diseases (such as malaria) simply because the economics of finding 'cures' are less rewarding; 5. To recognise that mental health is a relatively neglected area, in terms of medical and social provisions; 6. To provide real and effective education for all in a genuinely enlightened fashion. This must recognise that there are different skill sets and one should reduce the tendency to simply end up with 'winners' and 'losers'; 7. To use the internet properly, so that it is used to enlighten (rather than just drive commercial interests) and to make links between people. This would mean removing craziness and abuse from social media sites; 8. Make the world (I know it's Utopian) a fairer place, in terms of giving opportunities and appropriate economic rewards. The world is greatly unbalanced, by having billionaires and oligarchs, alongside the poorer multitudes, many of whom live in genuine poverty; 9. To stop the tendency (by politicians, social media, some religious folk and newspapers) to divide people into opposing factions, who can see no merits in (or even dehumanise) their 'opponents' and 10. To recognise that 'no man (or woman) is an island'. We are all on this planet together at this time (actually a bigger throng, than that that has been here cumulatively, for the whole of recorded history!). What we do, has repercussions. So, let's try, where we can, to do positive good. Merry Christmas.

Season's Greetings and a Better 2021 to All My Readers

Clingy

Traditional cling film has proved very useful in the kitchen. It is used in wrapping foods and for covering dishes before placing them into the microwave. The trouble is, that this thin PVC material is a plastic that is very difficult to recycle and we really do need to reduce our use of plastics. A number of alternatives, including reuseable beeswax-coated cloth and a variety of plant-derived wraps have been 'road tested' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/24/its-a-wrap-clingfilm-alternatives-to-help-you-ditch-the-plastic). Many of them, although pricey, appeared fine for simple wrapping. There are, however, a couple of areas where different alternatives are urgently needed. None of the tested items appeared appropriate for wrapping raw meat or fish. Perhaps more importantly, none of them could be used to cover dishes destined for the microwave. Safe, non-plastic alternatives for these two functions would be a real boon. In the case of the microwave function, reuseable, plastic covers may be the way to go.

Even a Slow Cargo Vessel Can be Fatal

A study, in the journal Marine Mammal Science, has found that endangered North Atlantic Right Whales have an 80% chance of being killed in a collision with a large cargo vessel travelling at only 10 knots (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/24/even-slow-moving-boats-likely-to-kill-endangered-right-whales-in-a-collision-study-finds). This is quite slow for shipping and reflects a 'speed limit' put in place by the Canadian government, in an attempt to reduce cetacean deaths. The data suggests that a) the 'speed limit' will have to be reduced or b) some other means found to prevent shipping and the whales coming into contact.

Why Does a Rapid Screening Test for Covid-19 Work in One Situation But is Suspect in Another?

The answer to this 'riddle' is, that the rapid Lateral Flow Test is equally dodgy (it's a poor predictor of infection) in both situations. Political expediency, makes it, however, a 'solution' in one case and a 'cause of concern' in the other. It seems that the plan for UK University students to return to their alma maters, after Christmas, has, for now, been put on hold (dismissed by some as 'half baked'). The students were supposed to get a negative test shortly before making their staggered return to their University halls (so that testing at these institutions would not be overwhelmed). It has now been recognised that a negative test result guarantees very little and that students could pick up an infection on their actual return travels (https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/dec/24/covid-ads-to-prepare-students-for-university-return-delayed-amid-rapid-test-concerns). This is a serious consideration, when the country is facing widespread post-Christmas lockdowns in an attempt to limit the transmission of the 1.1.7. Covid-19 variant. There are Universities in most relatively large towns and cities and their students are currently very widely dispersed. It looks like a recipe for extremely rapid and widespread viral transmission (as does the plan for re-openning schools after Christmas, using the same Lateral Flow Test). The Lateral Flow Test is, however, 'a welcome solution' for the impasse in Kent. This followed the initial French banning of truckers (possibly carrying the seemingly highly-infective variant of Covid-19), returning via Dover and the Eurotunnel to Calais. It is now proposed to move the estimated 10,000 trucks, currently marooned in that county, after rapidly screening the drivers. To help the process, 26 French firefighters (pompiers) have now arrived carrying 10,000 tests. These will operate in addition to the UK's 4 current mobile test sites, with a further 5 being set up (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/24/french-firefighters-arrive-in-dover-with-10000-covid-tests-for-lorry-drivers ). It all sounds a bit like overkill (although the entente cordiale is welcome). So why the difference? In the case of the Universities, it will be very evident, if a botched scheme results in a serious and widespread rise in infections. In the case of the truckers, however, appearance of the 1.1.7.Covid-19 variant in France (inevitably the case) can never be tied to a particular test on a particuar driver. And, anyway, the UK Transport minister has promised to solve the Kent trucking blockade 'by Christmas'. And we know how reliable their Christmas promises are!

Roll Out Inertia?

Given the spread of Covid-19 (both the original and the new, more infective version) in the UK, as well as the fast mutations in the virus, I am somewhat dismayed by the pace of the vaccination roll out. NHS leaders have also noted that only 42% of the 135 NHS acute hospital trusts have received their first allocations of the Pfiser/BioNTech vaccine (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/22/nhs-leaders-raise-concerns-pace-covid-vaccine-rollout). Although there has been much boasting about 500,000 jabs being given, this is only the first of the required 2 doses needed to develop full protection. And this must be a dose of the same vaccine. Even worse, fewer than 33% of the GP practices due to be involved in the vaccination programme, have received any material to inject. I think that we need a much faster programme, to potentially eliminate the virus from our populations. Otherwise, Covid-19 will prove very difficult to shift. If it remains in humans, it may surprise us with more mutated forms. I am even more worried about it finding its way into companion or even wild animals. Hopefully, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine will speed things up a bit (a decision is due on its approval by next Monday or Tuesday) but we do need to get a move on. I would not like Christmas to delay things.

Fear and Loathing in the Garden of England

Kent has real problems as it houses the port of Dover and the Eurotunnel. These are linked to Calais (in France), respectively by ferry services and the Eurostar train. Rather obviously, these services are much used by drivers and their trucks, moving material (including perishable foods), between the continent and the UK. The recent discovery of a new, more easily-transmitted variant of Sars-CoV-2 in SE England (including Kent), initially led the French authorities banning truckers crossing from Kent to Calais. This was an understandable (but probably futile-see later) attempt to stop the new variant of the virus being imported into France. There are reported to be around 10,000 trucks, with their drivers, parked along the M2 motorway in Kent and on an old airfield. Some truckers have now spent several nights in their cabs and there are few/no facilities in place for these folk. It's consequently unsurprising that some truckers are somewhat livid and tensions are rising (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/23/lorry-drivers-clash-police-tensions-rise-over-queues-kent). The French authorities have subsequently agreed to allow truckers to travel into France, once they have had a negative test for the virus. Testing locations are be set up and operated but it will take quite some time the clear the backlog. The UK proposes to use the rapid lateral flow test, which takes about 20-30 minutes per sample. This screening method has been piloted in 'test and trace' in Liverpool, as well as being given by UK universities to their students, prior to their return home for Christmas. The trouble is, that this test yields a lot of false positives and false negatives. The test is hardly going to be the basis of an effective cordon sanitaire! Have virus gonna travel?

Organic Meat: Not a Climate Treat?

Some people might believe that 'organic' (I hate this term, as scientifically speaking, any carbon compound is organic) meat is better for the environment. A study (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/23/organic-meat-production-just-as-bad-for-climate-study-finds) has shown, however, that the climate costs of organic and conventionally-reared beef and lamb are very similar. Organic chicken is a bit worse than its conventionally (factory farmed)-reared counterpart. Whereas, organic pork has a bit less climate impact than the conventionally-reared alternative. The calculations include the costs of deforestation, to generate fodder for cows. Although organic cows and sheep eat only grass, they grow more slowly, meaning that they are slaughtered when older. The climate changing effects of meat production are closely linked to the production of manure and, in the case of cows and sheep, burping methane (a very potent 'greenhouse gas'). Organic cows and sheep effectively burp longer. The basic 'take home message' is that production of any meat, has a powerful impact on 'global warming'and, being organic, doesn't help. By far, the best way of reducing the negative impact of food production on the climate, is to incorporate more plant and fungus-based material into our diets.

American Waters

More worrying news that per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can now be found in the waters of every US state (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/22/forever-chemicals-pollute-water-dozens-of-sites-in-every-us-state). PFAS are the so-called 'forever chemicals', so-termed because of their resistance to heat, oil and water. They are consequently employed in a very wide range of products, from non-stick frying pans, to carpets, cosmetics, shoes and even food wrappers. Traces of these chemicals have been identified in tap water from Alaska to Florida. They presumably get there, when they are washed through the soil by rainwater and accumulate in the groundwater that supplys drinking water. PFAS have been linked to a variety of human disease conditions including cancers. The problem is, that they would be very slow to disappear, even if their use was totally banned.

Spiked!

I hope BioNTech's Chief Executive, Ugar Sahin, is right, when he predicts that the Pfiser/BioNTech vaccine is "highly likely to work" on the UK's more infective variant of Covid-19 (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/22/covid-vaccine-likely-to-work-on-uk-variant-biontech-boss-says). The novel vaccine was developed using mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid), designed to generate the protein found in the spikes of this corona virus. The spikes are used by these viruses to gain entry to the human cells, whose replicating mechanisms they take over. Although the new variant of Sars-CoV-2 has 9 mutations (quite a lot), Sahin notes that 99% of its spike proteins are common to those in the original. It will, however, be 2 weeks before they can be absolutely certain that the vaccine (a single dose of which, has already been given to 500,000 people in the UK) doesn't need to be modified. Even, if the vaccine currently offers effective protection from both variants, further mutations may well change its efficacy. Mutations will occur in humans and other infected animals (this is why the Danish mink were culled). The more infections there are (and the more diverse the infected organisms?), the more mutations are likely to arise. Certain mutations (or combinations of mutations) might well require tweaking of the mRNA used to generate vaccine. Further expensive and time-consuming safety testing would then also be required.

Confirmation Bias or Something More Scary?

I find my words on the UK government's responses to the Covid-19 pandemic being largely endorsed (perhaps a little more bluntly) by Anthony Costello, Professor of Global Health and Sustainable Development and a former WHO Director (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/22/uk-government-blamed-covid-19-mutation-occur). Costello also dismisses the 'world class' test-and-trace system as simply a waste of billions. He also firmly believes that the first priority the UK should have had, from the start of the pandemic, was to minimise the rate of transmission. The more infections you have, the more opportunities there are for the virus to mutate. The fact that the virus became rampant, is probably why a more infective strain seems to have arisen here. It is predictable, that the rest of the world would attempt to cut the UK off, in an attempt (probably, futile), to protect their populations from this new, faster-spreading strain. I would add that other countries (e.g. notably Brazil, Sweden and the USA) have also followed policies that are likely to facilitate mutations in Covid-19. Costello obviously believes the UK should have gone for faster and more extensive lockdowns, in response to the pandemic. He also thinks that workers in the 'gig economy' should have been aided to quarantine themselves, when necessary ('work or starve' seem to have been the options for many folk). Like me, Costello strongly advocates the rapid scaling up the vaccination programme. That would further reduce opportunities for the virus to mutate (and to become a permanent feature like seasonal influenza). So, why am I concerned by the agreement evident in Costello's opinion piece and some of my earlier posts on these topics? Like everyone else, I might simply be showing confirmation bias (a tendency to believe material, that fits my own established beliefs). In my defense, I think that Costello's background makes it highly likely that he is a believable and well-informed source (that is a feature everyone should check before believing anything). So, why am I not smug that my amatuer 'takes' on Covid-19 infection levels (in humans and animals), viral mutation and the urgent need to vaccinate, are reiterated by an expert? My basic concern is that I spent my academic career as a Psychobiologist, studying the effects of genes, hormones and drugs on behaviour, before briefly looking at some environmental issues. These are both a million miles from studies on novel viral pandemics! Even worse, I have not read an actual scientific paper, since I retired some 10 years ago. So, my information on Covid-19 has come from newspapers, radio, TV and the internet (along with some bits of knowledge I have from teaching Biology and from ancient studies I did on immunology and parasitology). If things were so obvious to me, I cannot believe that UK politicians were not forewarned, by at least some of their specialist scientific advisors, of these possibilities. So how could they have got so many things wrong, so repeatedly? Perhaps they were following the wrong science?

Never Mind the Promises, What Have You Actually Done?

It should hardly come as a surprise that the UK government will be challenged yet again on its plan to build a third runway at London's Heathrow airport (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/19/ministers-face-fresh-legal-challenge-over-heathrow-airport-plans). Although the original legal blocking of the scheme was overturned by the Supreme Court, this was largely on the basis of environmental promises that had been made at the time planning was first approved. Things have moved on since that time. The UK boasting of its 'world-leading' climate change credentials, has promised it will be carbon neutral by 2050. The difficulty is that it is hard to see much actual movement on that front. There has been the much-heralded promise to phase out sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. That, however, is a promise for the future and diesel/petrol cars will still be running in 2030. Promises have also been made on carbon capture but this also appears to be coming in very slowly. The UK also appears not to have sorted its taxation codes. There is more tax on wind and solar power than on coal. Kerosine fuel for jet aircraft avoids any tax. Air travel is a very major generator of 'greenhouse gases', pumping them high into the atmosphere. If the UK is going to get anywhere near net zero by 2050, we need less rather than more air travel. This might be a good time to examine whether the original approval for the third runway is actually a decision appropriate to the present times when the dangers of climate change are now obvious. Promising good things and then not delivering on them could become a signature characteristic, if the government are not more careful. Walk the walk as well as talking the talk!

Scuttling In Sideways?

King crab are suddenly big business in Bugoynes in the North of Norway (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/20/crab-22-how-norways-fisheries-got-rich-but-on-an-invasive-species). It seems that the crabs were actually introduced off the neighboring Russian Murman coast in an attempt to establish a local fishery for the species. The King crab, however, favoured the deep fjords, to the South, in Norway and have sidled into the area. The Norwegian fishermen have become rich on the sales of these substantial and popular, but alien, crustaceans. The problem is that fully-grown King crab have few competitors and can decimate other species that normally live on the seabed. The crabs are also moving their range towards the Lofoten Islands, where major codfisheries are located. The crab larvae also can move considerable distances and would be next to impossible to control. This is the kind of thing that happens with alien introductions (whether deliberate or unintentional). A situation is created where the economic interests of fishermen in Bugoynes, directly conflicts with the need to maintain traditional biodiversity in nearby locations.

This Green and Septic Isle?

The discovery of a 'fast-spreading' variant of the Covid-19 virus in the SE of England, seems to have rendered the UK a pariah state (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/21/france-ban-uk-transport-surprise-says-grant-shapps-covid). Overnight, Belgium, Canada, Demark, France, Germany, Ireland and Turkey have banned passengers, travelling by air or ferry from the UK, from disembarking on their soil (forget 'safe corridors' and 'fast tracking'!). Perhaps even more worrying, is the French pre-Christmas 48 hour ban on freight hauliers from the UK. It is, of course, likely that French trucks will reciprocate by stopping coming here, if their drivers feel likely to be marooned. By all means tell people there are unlikely to be food shortages but don't expect a uniformly rational response. This limiting of travel from the UK, of course, underlines the importance of substantially curtailing travel within the UK to limit the spread of this variant. I would say, however, that there is an awful lot that we don't know about this strain of Covid. We cannot even be sure it originated in the UK. Suggestions, that it infects school-age children relatively easily, is worrying in relation to the reopenning of schools after Christmas. The 'take home message' to me, however, is that all countries really need to a) do everything to minimise transmission and b) vaccinate as widely and quickly as possible. Otherwise, we will have new strains with novel characteristics, popping up all over the place.

Did Our Ancestors Rip van Winkle?

A paper by Juan-Luis Aruaga and Antonis Bartiokas has suggested that our Neantherthal ancestors, some 400,000 years ago, may have survived very harsh winters, at that time, by hibernating in caves (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/20/early-humans-may-have-survived-the-harsh-winters-by-hibernating). Hibernating involves the slowing of metabolism and conserving energy by sleeping for several months. Their conclusion is based on examining bones from the Sima de los Huesos ('Cave of Bones') at Atapuerca in Northern Spain. Some of the bones had lesions, which were very similar to those seen in animals, we know to hibernate, such as cave bears. Perhaps we ought to try it again, until the Covid-19 pandemic is over?

Tiers of Frustration?

I personally feel that the tier system of Covid-19-related restrictions in England has a number of intrinsic problems. The first problem, is that it is difficult for people to keep track of what they are allowed to do in the different tiers. This is especially true when the tier can change several times over a short time period. A second problem is that it is also very problematic for people running hospitality, 'non-essential' shops, hairdressers and gymns et cetera to plan their stock and activities with any confidence. The third problem is that it allows politicians to argue about whether special allowances should be made for favoured areas (usually their own voters) or punishments (going up a tier) directed to other locations (perhaps controlled by political rivals). The identification of the new viral variant (VUI-202012/01) should focus attention on the weaknesses of the tier system. Placing Kent into tier 3 did not stop the spread of this viral version, although this had been deemed appropriate response for the original virus. What you don't want to happen, is for the variant to spread into areas that are currently in a lower tier, where it might be rapidly transmitted. It has even been suggested that the police will be empowered to stop people, in London and the SE, 'fleeing' their newly-designated tier 4 homes for lower tiers (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/20/police-to-stop-people-fleeing-new-covid-tier-4-areas-hancock-says). I suspect that this will infuriate some liberally-minded people, who will see it as evidence of our becoming a 'police state'. Some scientists have warned that more draconian systems might well have to be brought in across the entire country after Christmas. Surely, it would be better to have restrictions imposed or eased uniformly across region? It would then be much easier to know what you can and cannot do and we would defuse a perception that some people are treated better than others. Resentments build up quickly. The pandemic is a problem for the whole country (some would say the whole world) and we all, irrespective of where we live, have a vested interest in minimising all transmission whilst the vaccination programme is rolled out. We also have, in the UK, a National Health Service. If hospitals, in some areas, are overrun, it ought to be possible to carefully move (avoiding possible transmission) some patients to less challenged areas. I appreciate that there are not many of these but the UK appears to be too prone to 'localism' at the moment. Covid-19 ignores boundaries.

The Radiant Platypus

Interesting observations on new sensory capabilities in the Monotremes and Marsupials of Australia (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/19/tasmanian-devils-glow-in-the-dark-australian-animals-glowing-platypus-wombat-echidna-bandicoot-scientists-investigate-australia-marsupials-light). Dr Kenny Travouillon has shown that many native Australian mammals (including Bilbies, Bandicoots, Tasmanian devils and Echnidas) glow in response to being illuminated with an Ultra-Violet (UV) torch. The response is even seen in stuffed specimens of the Duck-billed platypus (they glow green or cyan, depending on the wavelength of the used UV torch). In this last case, the fluorescence is not down to chemicals used in the treatment of the specimen, as roadkill animals glow brightly. The phenomenon may be linked to an earlier finding by Prof Lyn Beazley and colleagues. She found that some Australian mammals (Honey possums and Fat-tailed dunnarts) have cells in their eyes that allow them to see UV light. The actual wavelengths detected may be linked to the animal's diet. Kangaroos showed only a poor response to being illuminated by a UV torch. This could be because they are strictly vegetarian, day-time browsers. It is suggested that many animals can see UV light but this ability has been lost in modern, placental mammals (Eutherians).

Pandemic Panjandrums

They say it's an ill wind that blows no good. The Covid-19 pandemic, has impoverished millions of people but the world's richest men have been to speak 'coining it'. For example, the world's 10 richest men (and they are men) have seen their fortunes grow by £284bn. The most striking example is Elon Musk, who was worth 'only' $25bn in March but has seen his fortune grow to $153bn, due to speculation. In deed, American's 651 billionaires have increased their total worth by $1.1tn over the course of the pandemic (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/dec/19/ten-billionaires-reap-400bn-boost-to-wealth-during-pandemic). I like to illustrate how hard it is to become a billionaire with the topical (it's almost Christmas) observation. If you were immortal and were born on the day that Jesus is said to have died, you would have to have an untaxed weekly salary of more than £9,520,000 and zero living expenses to become a billionaire today! Surprisingly, there are a lot of them about and Covid increases their share of the pie.

57 Varieties of Virus?

The development of a new strain (with several mutations) of the Covid-19 virus in the SE of England seems to confirm developing fears about the pandemic's direction (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/19/new-coronavirus-strain-in-south-east-england-prompts-fears-of-third-lockdown). The trouble here is that, it's like having a new virus, in that there are lots of questions to which we need urgent answers (the same will apply to any new variant). There is a suggestion (probably based mainly on its rapid spread in that locality), that the new strain is more infective than its predecessor. People have also been assured (only on the basis that we have no evidence of the opposite thus far?) that it is no more dangerous than the original strain. We are also told it is unlikely to be resistant to any of the vaccines being developed to treat Covid-19. These, however, have only been trialled on the strains that existed at the time they were developed. The appearance of this new stain as well as the creation of a mutant line in the Danish mink colonies, suggests there is a real danger of multiple forms of the virus, developing in human and a variety of animal hosts. If we don't minimise transmission and hit the virus with a fast and efficient vaccination programme throughout the world, we are likely to have to live with the little freeloader on a permanent basis. I would personally push the approval of vaccines harder, accepting that this may result in safety problems.

Grievance, Retaliation and Drugs?

I have always tried to steer clear of overtly political viewpoints. This is partially down to cowardice; a distaste for politics in general and the feeling that my own political predisposition is an idiosyncratic mish-mash of influences from my a) background (unusual); b) biology (strange); c) education (atypical); d) life-time experiences (varied) and e) people I have met or read. It's with some trepidation, that I comment on an article by James Kimmel jr, a Yale University Psychiatrist, who describes himself as a 'violence researcher' (https://www.politico.com/amp/news/magazine/2020/12/12/trump-grievance-addiction-444570). I was a 'violence researcher' myself for some 40 years, helped to edit the journal Aggressive Behavior and was a President of the International Society for Research on Aggression. Although I am actually more biological than James, I feel uncomfortable with the suggestion that one can treat the 'pleasure' of retaliating against political resentments, in the exactly the same way we attempt to deal with the effects of psychoactive drugs in an 'addict'. In a sense, this would be a medicalisation of political views, regarded (by some?) as irrational or inappropriate. Clearly, there may be similar impacts on the 'reward' centres of the brain (dopamine release, notably in the nucleus accumbens and the dorsal striatum). That reward centre is there for a very good reason. It generally facilitates the repeating of actions that can be beneficial. In many subjects, there would be a surge of dopamine if, they ate a good meal; their child did well in school, they baked an excellent cake or they had a good training session in sport. We only get worried when the rewarded behaviour is deemed 'bad' for the individual. This applies to a majority of recreational drugs (many societies make exceptions for 'legal' compounds), 'excessive' gambling et cetera. I appreciate that, for centuries, politicians have whipped up resentments to get elected and to carry 'their people' with them. It is very difficult, however, to clearly distinguish appropriate from inappropriate resentments. In fact, the same resentment might well be rational for one group but irrational for another. Appropriateness may also change with time. Kimmel makes an interesting point, when noting that environmental factors can stimulate the reward centre in creational drug users. They can, for example, show a surge of dopamine when they go to a location where they have previously taken drugs or they meet up with a known fellow user. I think that it is extremely likely that environmental factors play roles in group activities. Reward centres may well 'light up' when attending a political rally or spectating at a match (remember that?) involving 'your' sports team. Kimmel claims to have a system for diffusing resentments and retaliations. The real difficulty, however, would be getting people to admit that their views might possibly be inappropriate (it's often difficult enough to get drug addicts to agree to seek treatment). I really can't see the US undergoing the world's largest ever psychoanalytical session for about half its population (it would,anyhow, be wholly inappropriate to lump all the individuals who supported a particular candidate together). I don't think that are any circumstances where I would ever offer myself for an evaluation (and potential treatment of?) of my resentments. So, I can't imagine many other people opting for such treatment. I guess we will just have to hope that things calm down naturally. It would help if people didn't continue to throw petrol on the flames.

The Ham Sandwich Wars?

It sems to have come to a surprise to UK transport (for some reason, now termed 'logistics') companies that, from 11pm on December 31st, 2020, their drivers will not be allowed to take ham (with or without cheese) sandwiches into the EU (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/18/lorry-drivers-heading-to-eu-face-ham-sandwich-ban). Many of the drivers carry their home comforts in their cabs (they have refrigerators and microwaves). They will not be able, however, to carry meat or dairy products into the EU for biosecurity reasons. Meat and dairy products (whether home produced or shop bought) have been linked to serious animal infections,such as foot and mouth disease. Although their sandwiches are deemed safe until the 30th December 2020, post-Brexit, UK food materials have to be treated like that from any other 3rd country. In fairness, the sources of the ham and cheese used to make sandwiches by UK drivers could change from January 1st, 2021. Some companies are predicting 'fisticuffs', if their driver's lunch boxes are raided, but this is just one more consequence of leaving the EU.

Kipper Your Lungs With a Wood Burner?

One might assume that containing the fuel within a wood burner would reduce the health risks. It has been shown (admittedly, using only 19 stoves in the Sheffield area), however, that opening the door to refuel, floods the room's air with particulates (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/18/wood-burners-triple-harmful-indoor-air-pollution-study-finds). This triples a form of pollution that is known to damage health, especially in the very young and the very old. It was been suggested that the burners (presumably, there are several types?) should carry a health warning!