This is the variant that will require a new version of the vaccine? It is already here. Horse, bolted, after, gate, closing.
In any event, surely, if we vaccinate everyone in the UK (or world) then won't the virus mutate to avoid that protection we have?
... and that protection isn't against catching the virus, instead it is to minimise the effects and longevity, yes? People will still catch it, spread it, and still get ill.
I think we are living in cloud cuckoo land if we think it won't mutate, and if we think this one vaccine will be the only needed answer.
This virus is here to stay, in whatever form it takes. We will need constant changes to vaccines. With flu, it has tended to changed every year or two, giving vaccine makers time to react.
With Covid, it looks like we are going to be behind the curve for a long time, as it is mutating around the vaccines faster than we can react.
The effects of the virus are far more serious on any health service. We only have two real choices. Either spend (and recruit) a lot more resources on our hospitals etc (double/treble) or exclude treatment for Covid from being free at point of delivery.
So, logic (science) dictates that the current approach, to isolate where possible, to treat severe symptoms if possible, and to vaccinate when we can, is never likely to succeed. If this is a war, we will not win it this way.
Where do we go from here? There is the distinct possibility that huge swathes of the vulnerable members of society (that's me and loads of us forum members) are going to have our lives shortened, a lot. We could easily see 'excess' deaths rise in to the hundreds of thousands a year in the UK alone.
Not sure I should have posted this. I am no scientist, but I can read between the lines of the lies, mistruths and diversions our politicians tell us.