Well, well well! I have had a reply…. It is, as you would expect, full of contradictions and utter nonsense. We’re certainly facing some difficult times.Â
Part 1
Thank you for contacting me about COVID-status certification and its proposed use in certain public spaces that pose an increased risk of COVID transmission.
As you will know, the past fifteen months have been some of the most difficult for our nation’s health, well being and financial security since the Second World War. All aspects of our economy, our way of life, our most normal activities need to open and remain open and we cannot allow COVID-19 to continue to necessitate the closure of businesses due to its devastating impact on our most vulnerable.
Our nation’s vaccination program has demonstrated the clear and obvious benefit of the various COVID vaccines. It is unquestionable that without the high rates of vaccination, the recent high number of cases of the Delta strain, which it is suggested carries more acute symptoms than previous variants, would have witnessed far greater rates of death, closer in comparison to the first and second waves of the pandemic.
Although our vaccination program has likely saved tens of thousands of lives, COVID still remains a significant risk to the health of very many in our society. Vaccines, although impactful, are not one-hundred per cent effective at stopping the recipient from contracting COVID-19 and some, especially those most vulnerable, are still at serious risk of illness. Furthermore, as seen in the current numbers of hospital in-patients with COVID-19, there remains a large minority of individuals who remain at risk who have not been vaccinated. Therefore, although our economy has reopened, we must remain diligent and cautious when ensuring venues, such as nightclubs where transmission of viruses is greatly enhanced, are not environments where high levels of COVID-19 infection can be sustained. Ensuring that those who attend these venues have either been vaccinated or have proof or either a negative test or natural immunity reduces the risk of transmission and reduces the risk that these individuals will become seriously ill as a result of attending these venues.
Part 2
The NHS COVID Pass will incorporate the ability to demonstrate vaccination status, proof of natural immunity and/or a recent negative test. This proposal strongly encourages the uptake of vaccination, and for all those over eighteen scientific advice has been clear that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh any concerns you may have with it. I was especially pleased to read the recent European Medicines Agency report confirming the safety and benefit of the AstraZeneca vaccine which I know has received some negative attention in recent months especially from our neighbours in Europe.
You still retain the right not to be vaccinated, however, you will need to demonstrate your reduced risk of transmission through other means. The principle of limiting activities to those who are healthy or considered safe enough to participate is not a new concept domestically or internationally and I would expect the preconditions of entry to certain countries, as it is currently with many countries in Africa that have high levels of Yellow Fever, will rely on proof of COVID vaccination. There are, in fact, already countries that require you to be
double jabbed as a condition of quarantine free travel and that list seems likely to grow as more countries catch up to our successful vaccination programme.
I do not want to see nightclubs closed again - as they have elsewhere - but it does mean that these settings need to encourage the socially responsible thing which is to be double jabbed to reduce the likelihood of illness and transmission. So for now the Government is asking settings to make use of the NHS Covid Pass which shows proof of vaccination, a recent negative test or natural immunity – as a means of entry.
Part 3
I appreciate that these changes will be unwelcome by some, and I know that in many ways Government activity in the past fifteen months has been unprecedented. We have faced a pandemic with a severity not seen since the Spanish Flu and have taken measures which, quite rightly, would be considered unusual or unnecessary in more normal times. I hope that in
this coming year the risks from COVID-19 will continue to decline, and we will be able to return to an environment that is both physically and emotionally free from the pandemic and its various impacts.
Thank you for taking the time to contact me and please do not hesitate to write to me again regarding any further concerns you may have that you would like me to consider.
A quick thought- th speed of this reply may mean the my MP has had a barrage of letters on this topic - especially as my letter doesn’t mention my vaccination status and it doesn’t actually address the points I raised.
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Covid - the Greatest crisis since WWII 🙄
