Day: 23 January 2022

Today, January 23rd, is the day, in 2020, when the world changed as China first implemented in Wuhan the novel public health policy that has come to define the COVID-19 pandemic. Will we ever now escape from its legacy?

Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said mask rules could remain in place for years as they are "not the biggest handicap" people are having to endure. Will she ever let it be over?

Toothy tyrant Jacinda Arden imposes draconian new restrictions in New Zealand after 84 people test positive for Omicron on Saturday, refusing to abandon her crackpot Zero Covid policy.

ITV has been warned by Ofcom after Dr Hilary Jones claimed 90% of all hospital patients are unvaccinated. ITV issued a "clarification" claiming he meant 90% of Covid patients in ICUs are unvaccinated – not true either.

Several countries have seen post-vaccination waves that were as or more deadly – in terms of excess mortality – than a pre-vaccination wave. This is hard to reconcile with claims of 90% effectiveness against death.

The NHS vaccine mandate is likely to be "kicked down the road", a Whitehall source has told the Telegraph, amid demands by Conservative MPs for it to be scrapped entirely.

A summary of all the most interesting stories that have appeared about politicians’ efforts to control the virus – and other acts of hubris and folly – not just in Britain, but around the world.