This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Saturday, 3 July 2021
Sensible Caution or Kill-Joys?
Some UK doctors are urging their government not to abandon all Covid19 pandemic-related restrictions on the 19th of July (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/03/ministers-urged-to-keep-some-covid-restrictions-after-19-july-due-to-alarming-rise-in-cases). The doctor's advice is linked to the recent surge of delta variant cases in the country. This seems partly due to the delta variant's greater transmissibility. It is also likely, however, to be partly a consequence of changed human behaviour. More travel has been allowed, as well as greater mixing and spectators into some sporting events. There will be intense pressures on the government to dispense with all limitations on their self-specified 'freedom day'. The fact that fewer infected people are finishing up in ICU's in hospitals is frequently cited as a reason not the delay 'release'. Out will go social distancing and requirements for mask wearing? It has also been suggested that double-vaccinated people will then be able to freely holiday in Europe, without quarantine requirements. There does not appear, however, to have been any statements about a) the time since their second jab (immunity takes time to develop) and b) what happens if they take children with them (there are record numbers of Covid19 infections in schoolchildren. This is a cohort not yet approved for vaccination in the UK). All the 'planning' seems to be 'back of the envelop' stuff. It seems likely that total 'freedom' on July 19th, will come with too high a cost.
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