As Omicron ravages the capital, the risk of another lockdown is at the forefront of a lot of people's minds.
Here's what we know about what could happen next
👇
timeout.com/news/is-the-uk…
Here's what we know about what could happen next
👇
timeout.com/news/is-the-uk…
🎄Thankfully, it looks increasingly unlikely that the UK will be locked down again over Christmas.
🥼Yesterday England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty recommended people scale back on social interactions over the next week in order to avoid having to isolate over Christmas
🥼Yesterday England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty recommended people scale back on social interactions over the next week in order to avoid having to isolate over Christmas
🏘️This time last year all households were kept apart.
🎉Enforcing another festive lockdown would be unpopular among Boris Johnson’s own MPs and the wider electorate – particularly after recent scandals over Christmas parties held at Downing Street and the Tory party HQ in 2020
🎉Enforcing another festive lockdown would be unpopular among Boris Johnson’s own MPs and the wider electorate – particularly after recent scandals over Christmas parties held at Downing Street and the Tory party HQ in 2020
📈Cases are rising to record levels. On Wednesday the number of new daily cases in the UK reached 78,610, the highest since the pandemic began.
🥼Prof Whitty reckons cases could double every two days. NHS England has also returned to its highest level of emergency preparedness
🥼Prof Whitty reckons cases could double every two days. NHS England has also returned to its highest level of emergency preparedness
🏥But the name of the game isn’t case rates, but the number of hospitalisations – and the likelihood of the NHS being overwhelmed.
💉This is where vaccines come in. The jab prevents people being seriously affected by Covid and causes fewer people to have to go to hospital
💉This is where vaccines come in. The jab prevents people being seriously affected by Covid and causes fewer people to have to go to hospital
💪It’s too early to know just how deadly the new Omicron variant is, or how much protection is given by one or two vaccine doses, but what we do know is that a booster jab is still very effective against the strain
📉One potential outcome in the next few weeks is that the current booster drive cuts off Omicron before it can overwhelm hospitals.
❌In this case, it’s unlikely there would be a lockdown after Christmas – or anytime in the near future. This is the dream scenario
❌In this case, it’s unlikely there would be a lockdown after Christmas – or anytime in the near future. This is the dream scenario
📈Another outcome is not enough people get a booster, which causes Omicron cases to spiral over the festive period.
❌This is the kind of scenario echoed by the likes of epidemiologist Prof Neil Ferguson, who says that we certainly can’t rule out another lockdown
❌This is the kind of scenario echoed by the likes of epidemiologist Prof Neil Ferguson, who says that we certainly can’t rule out another lockdown
💰Lockdown would take a huge financial toll on industries and families – particularly those who rely on retail and hospitality.
🛣️The government would have to set up furlough and business support again, as well as lay out a path out of the restrictions
🛣️The government would have to set up furlough and business support again, as well as lay out a path out of the restrictions
⏲️So, in short, we’ll all just have to wait and see.
💉In the meantime, following government advice is the least we can do. Get a booster shot, wear a mask where you’re supposed to and get tested regularly.
❌Hopefully another lockdown will remain a distant nightmare
💉In the meantime, following government advice is the least we can do. Get a booster shot, wear a mask where you’re supposed to and get tested regularly.
❌Hopefully another lockdown will remain a distant nightmare
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