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The idea that the UK is in a better position than other countries is also nonsense. It doesn't have a significant vaccination advantage any more
That's not really true. I agree that we should be being more careful and the recent period of 'wear a mask if you feel like it' was utterly ridiculous, for example. Trying to get everyone to wear masks again just isn't going to happen IMO, the horse is out of the door and the stable has well and truly bolted.
But. The UK has given 46 million second doses (80.4% of the population). And the booster programme is delayed but underway and it's meant to be speeding up further now as a result of this nu virus. And on immunity waning - vaccine created immunity lasts longer than disease acquired immunity.
Compare this with Germany - 66% (as of three weeks ago, couldn't find more up-to-date figures) and a 'pandemic of the unvaccinated'.
And that's just countries in western Europe and the global north. So we are in a better position than a lot of countries, it just has little to do with our political leadership or their stupid decisions.
Fox-
Compare this with Germany - 66% (as of three weeks ago, couldn't find more up-to-date figures) and a 'pandemic of the unvaccinated'.
So, the difference is just 2% in the double vaccinated? That's not particularly material.
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But. The UK has given 46 million second doses (80.4% of the population).
The UK population is circa 68 million. Thats in no way 80.4%, unless you're saying eligible population?
kl
skinny
So, what has been announced just now (masks in shops and on public transport, PCR test for travellers) is less than what they have had in Germany for months. There you also have to show your vaccination certificate for travelling and if you want to go to a restaurant, as well as a couple of other things. It hasn't been effective (huge number of cases, incidence higher than ever), so doing less is going to be less effective.
The idea that the UK is in a better position than other countries is also nonsense. It doesn't have a significant vaccination advantage any more, and probably even a larger infection base from which transmission and acute cases will follow than other countries, although it'll be similar in all those countries that 'opened up' in the summer. It's certainly very bad in Germany right now, with some intensive care patients airlifted to other areas where there are still beds for them.
Add the new variant to the mix and it's a great recipe for the winter.