CALM DOWN, BORIS!
Boffin who discovered new variant blasts Brit ‘over-reaction’
THE new head of NHS Test and Trace has warned Brits not to socialise before Christmas “unless you need to” because of concerns surrounding the new supermutant Omicron variant.
Dr Jenny Harries, one of No10’s chief health experts, issued the advice as she admitted vaccines are likely to be less effective against the strain, which she said could have a “significant impact on our hospitals”.
Dr Harries hinted that work from home could be the next measure to be reintroduced if the outbreak starts to grow, adding: “If we see surges, then working from home will be a good thing to do.”
But at the same time, the medic who discovered the Omicron variant said there had been an over-reaction to the new strain.
Dr Angelique Coetzee, chair of the South African Medical Association, spoke out after new mask laws came into force across Britain, days after being announced by Boris Johnson.
Dr Coetzee, a GP of 33 years’ standing, said: “Nothing has prepared me for the extraordinary global reaction that met my announcement that I had seen a young man in my surgery who had a case of COVID that turned out to be the Omicron variant.
“Given my public-facing role, by announcing its presence in my own patient, I unwittingly brought it to global attention.
“Quite simply, I have been stunned at the response, and especially from Britain.
“Nothing I have seen about this new variant warrants the extreme action the UK government has taken in response to it.
“The simple truth is we don’t know yet anywhere near enough about Omicron to make such judgements or to impose such policies.”
Health Minister Gillian Keegan insisted it is better for the UK to “overreact than underreact” to the variant.
And the PM also defended the new coronavirus rules.
“The measures taking effect are proportionate and responsible and will buy us time in the face of this new variant,” he said.
“Vaccines and boosters remain our best line of defence, so it is more important than ever that people come forward when eligible to get boosted.”