We must stop the blame game

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As an unprecedented pandemic took hold, the vast majority of countries around the world introduced measures last year to try to lower the numbers and avoid the potential collapse of their health systems.

And as a new variant of COVID-19 spreads with extraordinary speed, a number of European governments have once again introduced curfews and restrictions, sparking numerous protests.

Last week, South Korea rolled back its phased plan to ease restrictions and instead reinstated strict social distancing measures. The UK government has said there is no need for further restrictions of any kind before Christmas, despite worrying infection figures.

For nearly two years, Australia has virtually banned anyone from entering the country. He has now decided to change his strategy despite the fact that Omicron is spreading like wildfire. “We have to hand over the heavy hand of government and we have to treat Australians like adults. We must move from a culture of mandates to a culture of responsibility.

This is how we will live with the virus in the future, ”Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

In reality, no one has a solution to the pandemic, simply because there is no manual for effectively tackling a virus that keeps shifting its targets.

In reality, no one has a solution to the pandemic, simply because there is no manual for effectively tackling a virus that keeps shifting its targets.

Despite the worrying spread of the Omicron variant, which has led to a record number of daily cases in Malta, a return to lockdowns, strict social restrictions and fines for breaking them is not the answer.

Since the appearance of the virus, one thing above all has changed the situation: vaccination.

And that is why, under the current circumstances, the new limited restrictions by the Maltese health authorities are relatively positive. They are sending a clear message that the best weapon against serious illnesses caused by COVID-19 is the vaccine.

Studies show that the vaccine booster provides up to 85% protection against serious illnesses caused by Omicron.

Scientists believe vaccines have so far kept hospital admission numbers relatively low.

The new measure of January 17 requiring vaccination certificates for entry into establishments is harsh and has sparked protests that it violates civil liberties.

But we are living in difficult times.

It’s easy to say that all non-essential establishments are expected to close for the foreseeable future, without realizing that this would lead to the death of hundreds of businesses.

We cannot expect the government to continue subsidizing businesses and workers for months on end. The authorities are finally accepting the potential long-term impact of the pandemic on mental health. The longer the measures are taken, the more likely we are to worsen a problem for which there is no vaccine.

They also appear to have recognized the potential backlash from imposing draconian measures on a country that has largely complied with the regulations and whose citizens have realized the importance of getting vaccinated.

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Of course, that could change in the coming weeks, especially if the number of people being treated in the hospital got out of hand. And the reality is that we are destined to repeat these cycles until the vast majority of the world’s population is vaccinated and the virus finds fewer opportunities to mutate.

In lower-middle-income countries, only 47.8% of people received a single dose of the vaccine. In low-income countries, it is only 8.3%.

After almost two years, we just have to learn to live with this virus. Each individual has a responsibility to fight it using common sense, avoiding unnecessary risks and never taking health for granted. Forcing very strict measures on a largely compliant population could be counterproductive at this point.

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