Greg writes about the discovery of the Omicron Covid-19 variant and his reasons for voting against new restrictions on masks and isolation:
"Last week, following the Health Secretary’s first statement to the House of Commons after the Omicron variant had been discovered, I argued the path to greater protection against the virus was to stretch the booster programme, getting it into more people, quicker. I was delighted when just a few days later, precisely what I called for (although not accepted at the time) was announced - namely that more age groups should be offered a booster and the 6 month gap between second dose and booster be reduced. The vaccine programme has been a great success story, with British scientists playing a huge role in the global fight against Covid-19. It continues to be a success and I urge (although will never, ever, argue for medical compulsion) everyone who has not been vaccinated to get their jab, and for those who have to secure a booking for their booster. Mine is booked for later this month. It is these vaccines that are the answer, not restrictions on freedom, liberty, our way of life, our ability to earn a living and for our children to grow, learn and develop. Indeed just this morning I was delighted to see early reports of Pfizer suggesting their vaccine is likely to be only very slightly less effective against the Omicron variant. These vaccines - and those under development, such as the nasal spray, are our path to hope; alongside the conveyor belt of new treatments being approved to treat those with the virus.
"I was equally clear last week that given the vaccines we have, the discovery of a new variant should not lead to a panicked return to restrictions. It is clear that Covid will be with us for a very long time, perhaps forever. New variants will emerge, potentially frequently. The question for me is not about how we constantly live in fear, close down normal life, restrict work, education and social interaction; but how do we live with it, just as we do every other virus in existence. The fact that the case mortality rate for Covid in our country is now very similar to that of winter flu - over which we have never even considered introducing a single restriction - should say it all. Indeed, why do those arguing for lockdowns and harsher restrictions not do so for winter flu too?
"Specifically, I voted against the regulations on face coverings and new isolation rules because of their vagueness, which in my assessment risk another damaging “pingdemic”. There is no definition of “suspected cases” and no sure way to quickly determine whether a positive Covid test is Omicron or Delta or any other variant, with the genomic sequencing taking much longer than a PCR - and furthermore these regulations will not expire until March 2022. These measures could force swathes of healthy people to self-isolate unnecessarily - damaging children’s education, our economy and my constituents’ wellbeing.
"The evidence around masks remains inconclusive. From early on in the pandemic, the general public were advised by the WHO against wearing masks, on the basis that they provide limited protection. Many experts still fear making face coverings compulsory give people false sense of security, leading them to ignore other hygiene practices. Scientists cannot come to a consensus on whether they are a useful health intervention or could make the situation worse. Previous mask mandates have relied on recommendations from Public Health England, highlighting that face coverings ‘may’ be beneficial. ‘May’, as always, does a lot of heavy lifting in these matters. The fact that most masks we wear are not fitted, but flimsy cloth with holes reported to be 5,000 times bigger than the virus itself is deeply concerning given the reliance some place on the protection they believe the mask gives them.
"The mask mandate is also wholly inconsistent; why do masks work in Tesco but not in a cinema? I also believe it has sadly validated the return of masks in schools. These measures spark deep uncertainty and anxiety among a cohort of children who have already suffered enough. Indeed press reports this morning highlight a study from Brown University that states: “masks worn in public settings and in school or daycare settings may impact a range of early developing skills, such as attachment, facial processing, and socioemotional processing.” Do we really want to live in a country where our children cannot see our facial expressions, understand whether we are happy, sad or cross; and more crucially be able to quickly assess from their parent, teacher or carer whether they are in a position of safety or potential danger? Children - particularly their mental health - has suffered enormously since Covid restrictions began and I will not stand by and allow our children to suffer further.
"I have heard those who say something along the lines of “masks are hardly an imposition” or “masks don’t do any harm”. But I fear for many they do. The dementia patient petrified at who is approaching them, those with hearing difficulties or deafness unable to read our lips, the child with autism unable to cope. It is easy to say “it doesn’t affect me” but there are many it does and I will not forget them.
"The new measures are due to be reviewed in three weeks. But in the history of Covid in the UK, restrictions have persisted long after their supposed rationale has disappeared and have only been rescinded after an almighty battle. Who remembers “three weeks to flatten the curve”? That was coming up to two years ago! We can’t keep resurrecting restrictions every time a new Covid variant emerges. We can’t keep suspending certain liberties and batter the economy with hitherto unprecedented measures. The entertainment and hospitality industries have only just reopened and cannot survive another hit.
"The goal must be to learn to live with Covid. This means accepting the virus will continue to mutate. The continual mutation of Covid means the Government could find endless excuses to restrict freedoms.
"It was always recognised that Covid would mutate, and thus far the vaccines have continued to provide strong protection against hospitalisation and death. As such, as I began some paragraphs ago, I wholly support the Government’s booster vaccine programme.
"We are now in a completely different position from where we were in March 2020 when restrictions were first introduced. Our vaccine rollout has been a huge success. We have seen a significant and sustained fall in people suffering from serious disease and death from Covid. Hospital admissions and deaths are both in decline. I believe it is time we returned to pre-pandemic normality with a continued focus on prioritising vaccines for the most vulnerable.
"It is very regrettable that the Government has decided to inch the country back towards lockdown because of the unknown threat that this new variant poses."
