New variant has emerged in Africa, should we be worried?

I agree Maddyone it's what viruses do - try to find a way in. As others have said, hopefully, it will be less dangerous - but will probably mean it is more contagious.
On the other hand ......... Fingers x

I don’t think we’re over reacting. It’s the first time we’ve acted quickly and I think it’s the right call.

I do not think it is over-reacting. We made the mistake right at the start of this s**tshow of being tardy in our response and allowing infected people into the country. We do not want to make the same mistake twice.

Alegrias1

Andrew Marr asked her if she thought the UK were panicking and she said yes.

She didn't offer that assessment up out of nowhere.

I missed Marr this morning, so thanks for posting that.

Personally, I do hope it turns out to have been "panicking".

I know this is unlike me but I think the government don't want us mixing at Christmas with our families after they have all done whatever they wanted to all year and had the personal funds to do so

Andrew Marr asked her if she thought the UK were panicking and she said yes.

She didn't offer that assessment up out of nowhere.

Lincslass

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

Flights to and from 6(?) African Countries are banned from later today.

Good! It might prove to be an over-reaction, but I'd rather that than not doing anything.

According to the Dr who discovered this mutation, we are over reacting in the UK. No mention of other countries that have also”over reacted”, or are we supposed to have open doors to all. Note she didn’t mention the 61 passengers from SA who are known to have brought this into the Netherlands, what happened to testing before flying, or are SA exempt. No I’m not worried, just angry that when we take precautions we are over reacting. We just can’t win.

To be honest, it's not surprising that she's claiming that the UK and other countries are over-reacting. Restrictions on flights from SA will affect South Africans and the tourist industry.

Frankly, I don't care much what she claims. I'm glad that the UK has acted quickly. If it's not so bad as feared, restrictions can be lifted quickly. If it turns out to be bad, we won't regret early action. We're buying time to find out more.

I don’t look on it as over reacting. More a case of buying time while scientists learn more about the new variant. If only the WHO had over reacted two years ago #whatmighthavebeen…

I honestly read that as Dr Who.

Sorry

Not all 61 passengers in the Netherlands have the Omicron variant.

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

Flights to and from 6(?) African Countries are banned from later today.

Good! It might prove to be an over-reaction, but I'd rather that than not doing anything.

According to the Dr who discovered this mutation, we are over reacting in the UK. No mention of other countries that have also”over reacted”, or are we supposed to have open doors to all. Note she didn’t mention the 61 passengers from SA who are known to have brought this into the Netherlands, what happened to testing before flying, or are SA exempt. No I’m not worried, just angry that when we take precautions we are over reacting. We just can’t win.

I just went for my booster in engerland and went in the co-op afterwards everyone was wearing masks is anyone going to have a guess how shit i feel tomorrow?

Someone on Sky News has just said cotton masks only really protect you from infecting other people. Great. Just the sort of message to put out when we need everyone to wear masks again. No mention of how effective they are when everyone wears them.

If people even in Scotland are ignoring the rule, that's probably why the rate of Scottish and English cases are similar.

Anecdotally, everywhere I've been here in Scotland, compliance with mask wearing has been high. I'd say over 95%.

Lucca

Time for my usual rant. Bring back compulsory mask wearing for goodness sake. Plus don’t hand out exemption lanyards to every other person …….be stricter! Why, please somebody explain , England so stubborn about this ?..

When I travelled from Manchester a few weeks ago, hardly anyone was wearing a mask. However, I did notice the same people wore them at Charles de Gaulle airport.
I don’t understand why people are so against them, people should wear medical to be more effective not the thin ones which so many have in the UK which germs could pass through more easily.

For people who want to travel to UK, or t'other way round to be with family for Christmas, things are looking very concerning.

Thanks growstuff, JaneJudge enlightened me earlier. Glad I didn't wade in earlier to air my concern with the shop assistant. ?

Sweetpeasue

Been to my local Sainsburys this morning and no one wearing masks. I thought they were now mandatory in shops. I know--I really should have said something to the assistants.

From Tuesday apparently.

Floradora9

Interesting fact is that Scottish cases do not vary much from the English ones though we have been wearing masks in shops restaurants etc. all the time . I have done one bus journey where most people ignored the rule .

If people even in Scotland are ignoring the rule, that's probably why the rate of Scottish and English cases are similar.

In any case, the driver of English cases (and probably Scottish cases) is in schools, towards which the government is continuing to turn a blind eye. There's even evidence that the intention is to infect as many children as possible.

Lincslass

MayBee70

It’s crazy, especially as the government are sneaking in far more worrying measures of control while people are concentrating on mask mandating!

Such as?

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill 2021

www.gov.uk/government/publications/police-crime-sentencing-and-courts-bill-2021-factsheets/police-crime-sentencing-and-courts-bill-2021-protest-powers-factsheet

... for a start.

MayBee70

It’s crazy, especially as the government are sneaking in far more worrying measures of control while people are concentrating on mask mandating!

Such as?

It’s crazy, especially as the government are sneaking in far more worrying measures of control while people are concentrating on mask mandating!

We can all remember what the first lock down felt like in the early days of this pandemic. This thread asks
'' should we be worried?'' I believe we should at least be cautious. For goodness sake, is it really that much of an inconvenience to wear a mask(obviously excluding those who can't because of health problems). If it helps just a fraction, what's the problem. It's just respecting those of us who are more vulnerable too.

Mask wearing will still hopefully reduce viral load and infected people won’t be as sick.

Interesting fact is that Scottish cases do not vary much from the English ones though we have been wearing masks in shops restaurants etc. all the time . I have done one bus journey where most people ignored the rule .

I'm absolutely with you*ayse*.Masks should be mandatory in bars and restaurants too. Not only for the sake of other customers but also the staff having to work there.