Back Story Newsletter
Good Morning,
Covid Variant
A debate on a mask wearing this morning because British authorities say masks are now mandatory in public places until we better understand this new Omicron variant. In my local coffee shop I go to where an employee said he doesn’t mind wearing the mask, but refuses to police customers. “I don’t get paid for that” he said and rightly so.
Another customer made a point of not wearing the mask seemingly glaring at those who did.
On my news channel in London this morning, two views; from a mother who thinks it damages her child wearing a mask making the child silent in the class and slowing the childs verbal learning. A medical expert saying mask wearing does far less to a child than lockdowns which means children are isolated in their homes instead at school.
(So far masks are to be worn in hallways but not necessarily in classrooms).
What’s clear this time around, this Covid development is testing everyones patience, and until there is clear evidence the variant is more deadly, there will be public resistance to any restrictions. And we really wont know the potential impact this variant will have on public health for 2 weeks yet.
Omicron does spread quickly, and has been found now in 20 countries and more are being discovered each day. The FDA has now approved a home anti viral pill which claims to reduce severe illness in vulnerable people.
Israel has 4 cases registered so far and Doctors there say so far the vaccines appear to provide the necessary protection against Omicron. Some good news! But it’s early.
Back Story Podcast
On this Back Story understanding the Russia conflict with Ukraine, as Russian troops appear ready to mount a large scale attack on Ukraine, again.
Host Dana Lewis talks to International Crisis Group’s Program Director for Europe and Central Asia, Olga Oliker who says if the fighting starts NATO be drawn into a conflict with Russia as one or more of its members support Ukraine.
Duncan Allan is director of Octant Research & Analysis an independent consultancy, and has been based in the British Embassy in Kiev and Moscow. Duncan explains the "Minsk Conundrum" as Russia and Ukrainians have very different views of the Minsk agreements to stop the shooting.
And we hear from Konrad Muzyka who is the director of Rochan Consulting, which provides open-source assessments of the Belarusian and Russian Armed Forces.
Get the link here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1016881/9637680
Other News…
-The US envoy in the Pacific has accused China if trying to drive Australia to its knees using economic warfare and said that under President Xi Jinping, China has become "more risk acceptant, more assertive, more determined to basically take steps that other countries would view as coercive".
-In Michigan police in Oxford School a 15-year-old suspect also wounded eight more students after opening fire with a semi-automatic handgun. The motive for the attack remains unclear.
-CNN has suspended anchor Chris Cuomo after evidence emerged he was actively coaching and strategizing with his brother and his team on how to get through a myriad of sex allegation charges. His brother former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had to resign because of the scandals.
Have a good day everyone!
Dana
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/business/merck-covid-antiviral-pill-fda.html
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/coronavirus/covid-1st-data-about-vaccine-efficacy-against-omicron-expected-tuesday-687392
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2021/11/30/cnn-chris-cuomo-suspended-brother-andrew-cuomo-scandals/8815193002/