NEWS

[roger]

NEWS

Big increase in infections all over Spain.

Madrid Province has border restrictions but the President of Madrid refuses to close night clubs, despite crowds dancing with no face masks.

UK doctors are asking for the 12 week delay of the second vaccine to be reduced to 6 weeks.

Astra Zeneca should be supplying the EU with its vaccine next month, but will reduce supply by 60% due to production problems.

Scientific opinion is that the vaccines will not get rid of the virus, only reduce the seriousness of the disease.

Scientific opinion is that the virus will be with us forever.

Big crowds at Heathrow terminal 2, with no social distancing.
The airport says that social distancing in airports was always impossible.
The UK Government says the responsibility is with the airport.
The airport says the responsibility is the border control agency.

It will be many years before there is any world wide control of infections, which will require travel restrictions for the foreseeable future.

And the good news is ..
At least Trump is gone (for 4 years anyway).

[frankie]

If the impeachment trial of Trump goes ahead at the beginning of February and he's found guilty, then he will be barred from holding office again.  I think this is the reason that it is continuing even after he has already left office.

[roger]

But it won't stop another person with Trump policies.
Given the make up of the US electorate it's highly likely.
And with the way they elect the Senate the country isn't democratic as we would understand in Western Europe.

[frankie]

I agree and it isn't helped by them having such a complicated voting system.  There is no doubt that his hard core supporters (all 94 + millions of them) will not simply give up and lay down arms.  It is a very divided country and Biden has an unenviable job now.  Let's hope he is up to it as well as dealing with Covid which many deny is a problem!