A Christmas Riddle!

Governmental paradox?

The numbers are coming down and so they should be. We've just come out of a three week lockdown and are facing a mandatory vaccine policy from February next year. A perfect reason to get vaccinated early and many are. Good so far if it weren't for that rascal omicron.

The whole world knows that this new version is not nice. Where it has taken a hold, the numbers are climbing exceptionally, almost exponentially fast. Thankfully so far this variant isn't more lethal nor sends more people to hospital but the sheer fact that it is so transmittable could mean that hospitals won't be able to cope. It is a question of numbers and the more people get infected, the more might have severe outcomes.

Now to the crux of the matter; today our health minister announced that everyone, even those not vaccinated, will be allowed to spend Christmas with up to 10 people! What on earth? Surely now would be the time to buckle down and carry on social distancing? Are we walking into another lockdown with our eyes open?

One of the reasons given was the fact that Christmas is such an important time for people and it thus shouldn't be taken away from them...all very well but what about the jobs that are hanging on to a fine thread after four national lockdowns? Businesses are being decimated, restaurants are closing down and it is only a matter of time before it all spirals out of control. Is it really worth it, spending a few days with your family all the while praying that we don't pass the virus on to them?

I just have to wonder if it wouldn't be better to have an international leader who would take on the management of this pandemic for the whole world. Countries should coordinate instead of isolate. Vaccines should be spread around instead of horded by the wealthy. A booster shot won't be much use if new variants keep developing in those that can't afford a first dose. Millions of people getting together at close quarters over Christmas will be a smorgasbord for all those billions of omicron cells to feast on. Time to take a step back and reconsider.

What cheers me up quite a bit is the fact that earlier on I ran into my neighbour ( kept social distance ) and she told me how her husband couldn't believe how stupid and dangerous this new Christmas decree is and that we might as well prepare for a new lockdown right now. Yes, thankfully on an individual level that good old fashioned common sense is still alive and kicking.

Biggi