Thread by @shaunjlawson

It's still early days and a lot of the data analysis I've seen is conflicting.

But on this last day of 2021, maybe we can at least *hope* that the pandemic is just starting its journey to becoming endemic. Weakening, losing its lethality in most cases.

Meanwhile: GET BOOSTED!🙏

Note: hope. I'm no scientist - please, whatever you do, take good care of you and yours.

But thanks to nurses, doctors, volunteers, front line workers, the brilliant vaccines, and time, I think there's light at the end of a long, dark tunnel now.

And it isn't an oncoming train.

And just in case you still doubt the vaccines, then unless you have conditions meaning you can't be vaccinated, here's the reality.

No, vaccines do not stop the spread. They don't stop you getting Covid. But they DO, demonstrably, massively reduce hospitalisation and death.

Plenty of people have reported getting Covid after being vaccinated. This isn't news.

In the colossal majority of cases, that booster will stop you ending up in hospital or dying.

Moderate side-effects are normal too. It's your body reacting as it should.

Some people get them, others don't. I've had three Pfizer vaccines and had no reaction of any kind at all.

But being vaccinated and boosted and, in all probability, given a fourth dose next year, is a monumental part of keeping safe. As is masking up to help others too.

What we do about those who can't be vaccinated for health reasons, I do not know. It's something that causes me huge concern: for them.

And no, we cannot and must not mandate vaccination. It *is* absolutely a choice - but in most cases, there are societal consequences.

Which is also normal. Choices have consequences in all areas of life.

The Tories could scarcely have made more of a mess of the last 2 years. But most people and especially the NHS have saved the country from an otherwise unthinkable plight.

Thankyou so much to all of them!