New Covid variant *title edited by MNHQ at OP's request*

[Wingingthis]

Can anyone talk some sense about how dangerous this is or is it just the media over exaggerating?

This is the quickest the UK govt have ever acted isn't it? As the Independent Sage person said earlier - if it is a false alarm and we stand down in a few weeks then fine, but if its not and we don't act we end up back where we were 2 years ago...

Flights are banned from 12 noon tomorrow so that is pretty quick.

As someone else said, I'm glad Botswana have been doing regular testing and shared their findings so quickly. I'm not sure every country would have been so quick to do this.

This thread from a knowledgable source suggests it could be a big deal, but we don't know yet what these mutations in combination will do in practice.

twitter.com/jcbarret/status/1463975708770897923?s=21

itv article

UK wants to delay the arrival of this variant here as much as possible, hoping we get over the worst of the usual winter NHS pressures before it does. That's why they acting so fast.

[quote macshoto]This thread from a knowledgable source suggests it could be a big deal, but we don't know yet what these mutations in combination will do in practice.

twitter.com/jcbarret/status/1463975708770897923?s=21[/quote]
And this thread is also really informative:

twitter.com/ewanbirney/status/1463952838565023755?s=21

How quickly do we think it will effect us here restriction wise?

I assume the swift action is to get us through Christmas.

GAHHHH!
I know mutating is a favourite virus hobby - but give us a break!

Quarantine is pointless unless it's managed. I have a friend who has travelled many times this year. She's never done the day 2 test or bothered to quarantine.

Fingers crossed the stopping of flights will work. Unlike some others, I don't want to have to lockdown again. I'my self employed and I hoped my business was about to pick up. Another lockdown would finish it off.

@itsnotrugby

UK wants to delay the arrival of this variant here as much as possible, hoping we get over the worst of the usual winter NHS pressures before it does. That's why they acting so fast.

Makes a change. Hoping they’ve learnt their lesson

@alborana flights are suspended and red list is hotel quarantine

Well, it must be serious for flights to be suspended from six countries. Normally we like to let loads of variant-riddled planes land before we do anything.

It’s the main BBC headline so not just typical tabloid screeching. I’m a bit worried.

@doublemonkey

What a load of shite.

Yep.... just think how many variants there are in the common cold.

Not downplaying the seriousness of covid at all but it's been 2 years of this and there are far far worse things happening in this world.

Well fuckity fuck fuck.

I heard on the news that it might be much more contagious and might resist the vaccines. This is true.

However, the news didn't say that it might be less contagious and might not resist the vaccines. Which is also true.

The media, in their different manifestations, would do better than to spin the news to make their audiences more alarmed.

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

It's certainly squeaky bum time for whoever came up with the Tesco Christmas advert.

What does this mean? Lost.

@TokyoSushi

Let's hope it's not arrived here already. They seem to be trying to act pretty quickly so it must be fairly serious but hopefully the prompt action will help a little.

Seems pretty likely it's here.

I am awaiting the "well I won't comply with any possible restrictions!" and "we just have to get on with it now" posts.

1990butfeel21 thanks, I hadn't seen that.

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Well fuckity fuck fuck.

Couldn’t have put it better myself.

@doublemonkey

What a load of shite.

This. Who gives an F.

I'd imagine healthcare providers in southern African countries will be giving a fuck. I'd also imagine healthcare providers in other countries will be giving a fuck if a variant with 50 plus mutations - many of which relate to the point at which the virus attaches itself to the body - takes hold in the country.. but I guess you're not a public health official hey?

@Riverlee

I’ve got a holiday booked 😢

Yawn.......,,

@nauticant

I heard on the news that it might be much more contagious and might resist the vaccines. This is true.

However, the news didn't say that it might be less contagious and might not resist the vaccines. Which is also true.

The media, in their different manifestations, would do better than to spin the news to make their audiences more alarmed.

They said the same about Delta