For all those who are looking for Christmas cheer, Wednesday was a day full of hope.
The Omicron virus was found to be milder than Delta in four British studies. Vaccines could prevent the disease from spreading… patients were unlikely to require hospital treatment.
The data from South Africa supported this research, indicating that the variant has already reached its peak there without any significant effect on deaths or hospitalisations.
Is it a day for celebration and relief? The flood of positive energy did not reach the skeptics, who were unable to take in the day’s celebrations.
Boris Johnson is not respected by them, nor are they sympathetic to the immense burden that he carries. They want him to fall.
BBC news programmes, for example, gave the studies a grudging welcome – before bringing out a stream of Jeremiahs to say they couldn’t be trusted.
They were correct to be concerned about Omicron’s claim by the UK Health Security Agency that it was 50% less severe than Delta. This figure has been revised to 70% yesterday.
The pessimists insist on the fact that high rates of infections are far more important than mild variants, warning the NHS it could be overrun.
Broadcasters continue to dwell on this grim narrative, as they have done for decades. Broadcasters often fall in line with the authoritarian Left. Those who are opposed to plunging America back into crippling purdah will be accused of lackon irresponsibility.
They seem to be reveling in an increase in deaths and hospitalisations for which they will be held responsible.
Boris Johnson is not respected by them, nor are they sympathetic to the immense burden that he carries. They simply want to see Boris Johnson fall.
Yet, for all the mistakes and self-inflicted wounds, Mr Johnson has handled this pandemic far better than he’s given credit for – certainly better than the EU.
He deserves great credit for the vaccine miracle, and his Government’s employment support strategy has resulted in our having the strongest growth in the G7.
It was right for him to wait until further information was available before imposing the draconian Omicron regulations that scientists recommended. There are good indications now that they won’t be necessary.
By contrast, Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford have saddled Scotland and Wales with new lockdown measures – just as the data points to the variant being manageable without them.
Heaven knows how much the recklessness of devolved nations will cost. But of course they know they’ll always be bailed out by Westminster.
It is imperative that the Government ignores the cry for doom. Incalculable harm can be caused by lockdowns or curbs.
They should only be countenanced as a last resort – not, as the alarmists would like, the default position at the emergence of every new Covid strain.
Stay true to the Tory Way
Energy bills are set to go up by 50% this spring. This is a serious cost of living crisis.
At the same time as families are hit with a £60 a month increase for light and heat, the steep National Insurance rise also kicks in.
At the same time as families are hit with a £60 a month increase for light and heat, the steep National Insurance rise also kicks in
The likelihood of high inflation leading to mortgage and interest rate increases will be significant. A little farther away, corporate tax increases will impact jobs.
The Conservative way – and the best way – to help families and businesses through this squeeze would be to lower taxes. For all our sakes, let’s hope the PM rediscovers his Tory instincts.
Spare a thought for the Queen on her first Christmas since the death of her beloved husband – her ‘strength and stay’. Although she will bear the grief with the usual stoicism that comes with it, her day will likely be filled with sadness. We send all of our best Christmas wishes to her and all of our readers.