Today's Welsh government coronavirus briefing had very much a familiar ring to it. In fact, the whole situation, with the new omicron variant, seems to transport us back mentally to the position in early 2020 when coronavirus was first detected in the UK. It's like we've been there before. There's a sense of inevitability, as there was back then.
The UK prime minister is promising us a better Christmas than last year. Back then, he actually promised us a Christmas, which we never had. Now, he's joined Wales in insisting on face coverings in shops and on public transport. This has been our position for months.
The Welsh government is being more circumspect. Mark Drakeford today asked that we consider whether we should mix with vulnerable people this Christmas. Eluned Morgan, the health minister, meanwhile, is instructing schools to ensure all wear masks indoors where distances cannot be maintained.
There's also a rush to get boosters out.
All these plans are designed to slow the spread of omicron, not stop it. Just like the position in March 2020 when we first were hit be the virus.
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Coronavirus