As most will know I see covid restrictions as an intervention like any other in medicine, one that comes with harms and benefits, and knock on effects on liberties and personal freedoms. When used we need to have a good idea about what impact they will have and if the benefits outweigh the costs. Limiting or removing freedoms should always be the last choice of Government in face of clear threat, and our main approach should be allowing people to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their actions.
The measures before us this week clearly carry this risk and you can see my speech from the debate above.
Covid passes create a two tiered society based on medical status or personal belief. I believe the majority of MPs and the public are strongly opposed to mandatory vaccination of the population, yet covid passports have the same level of ethical ambiguity, forcing people to have the jab or lose access to society. While there is the option of a lateral flow test instead, it is difficult to see how anyone without access to the internet or a mobile phone can get the evidence needed and this simply marginalises those who are already marginalised in our society.
Clearly the rate of spread of omicron is concerning, and there remain many questions still to be answered around the protection provided against severe disease in the vaccinated, and the severity in the unvaccinated. The Government was right to alter the self-isolation requirements following a positive contact. I am not overly convinced that given the rate of spread of omicron increased facemask use or working from home will have a huge impact on this. And neither of these are mild measures with no harm. They affect confidence, affect mental health, limit access to loved ones, affect businesses and the economy. However, I can see that in terms of risk/benefits that they can be justified given the concerns on how omicron may translate into hospitalisations and therefore I supported the extended requirements for facemasks to be worn.
In the coming days the picture will become clearer regarding just how much omicron will translate into people becoming sick and the impact on NHS services, and the Government is keeping a close eye on whether the Plan B measures voted through parliament yesterday will be sufficient. Right now the best defence we have against omicron is booster vaccines, so please go to and get your booster and book it now at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
