Pandemic is one year old

One year ago today, the World Health Organisation officially declared Covid-19 a pandemic. The unknown virus discovered in a Wuhan market has led to 118 million cases and 2.6 million deaths across 200 countries. The policy of lockdown has put hundreds of millions of lives on hold and reshaped the relationship between citizens and the state. Eight per cent has been knocked off world GDP.

Today, with over 150 million vaccine doses administered worldwide, the tide has started to turn, though for many nations the situation is still dire.

Brazil’s plight is particularly worrying. Its Covid-related death count is 270,656, the highest in the world, bar the US. Today, Brazil recorded more than 2,000 Covid-related deaths, its highest ever figure.

After the country’s devastating first wave last year there had been hopes that a degree of herd immunity had been built up. But a new variant – P1 – thought to have originated in Manaus is believed to be twice as transmittable as the original strain and can side-step pre-existing immunity. The chance of reinfection has been estimated at anywhere between 25 to 60 per cent. Vaccines still work against P1, but are less effective.

Despite the devastating new wave, and with ICUs across the country nearing capacity, the government has taken few measures to limit the spread. President Jair Bolsanaro has been keen to promote misinformation about the virus, downplaying its severity, and recently told Brazilians to “stop whining” about it.

The deteriorating situation has led scientists to warn that Brazil has become a “natural laboratory” for the virus developing new mutations.

Bolsanaro is being widely criticised for his lack of action, not least by his old political nemesis, former president Luiz Inácio Lula. Recently released from prison after corruption charges brought against him were overturned, Lula is widely expected to run for the presidency in 2022. Polls show him ahead of Bolsanaro, who, despite everything, still enjoys widespread support.

Regulators move to calm AZ fears 

Europe’s medicines regulator moved swiftly today to smooth fears that the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is linked to an increased risk of blood clots.

The European Medicines Agency issued the statement after several countries, including Denmark and Norway, suspended the use of the injection following the death of a Danish man several days after having the vaccine. Thirty cases of  “thromboembolic events” among the five million Europeans who have received the jab have been reported.

However, the EMA said: “There is currently no indication that vaccination has caused these conditions, which are not listed as side effects with this vaccine.”

Sarah Everard suspect hospitalised

The Met police officer arrested in connection with the disappearance of Sarah Everard has been treated in hospital after being found unconscious in his cell with serious head wounds. He has since been discharged and returned to custody.

Police searching for Everard, who has been missing since 3 March, found human remains in Kent yesterday. They have not yet been identified.

A vigil for Everard on Clapham Common is planned for Saturday. Reaction has brought together voices on the story below.

Will responds

Usually when a journalist launches a speculative question at a retreating celebrity, they pretend not to have heard and walk on. But Prince William broke his silence on the Harry and Meghan saga today when he made what seemed like an impromptu response while on a visit with his wife to an East London school.

The Duke was asked if he had spoken to his brother since the explosive Oprah TV interview. “No, I haven’t spoken to him yet” said the Duke, “but I will do.”

Thinking he might be pushing his luck, perhaps, the reporter then asked whether the Royal family was racist. William’s response was firm: “No, we are very much not a racist family.”

For a senior royal to address these claims so directly comes as a surprise, particularly given the Palace’s minimalist statement on Tuesday. William’s decision to ditch the Windsors’ old adage, “never complain, never explain,” is a mark of how incendiary – and hurtful – the accusations have been.

La porte est ouverte

Hopes of a summer escape to warmer climes have been given a boost, as France announced an easing of travel restrictions for British holidaymakers.
Under the new plans, tourists from the UK, Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore will no longer need a “compelling reason” to enter the country but will still be required to present a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure.

The French foreign minister said the entry requirements can be relaxed due to the widespread cases of the “UK variant” in France (a pragmatic acceptance that the horse has already bolted) and because the “health situation” in the listed countries is improving.

International leisure travel remains banned in England until 17 May at the earliest. After that, les rosbifs could be back with a vengeance.

Mattie Brignal,
News Editor