The COVID death toll in the U.S. has topped 800,000 – the highest reported toll of any country in the world. Figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University yesterday confirmed the total number of virus-related deaths is about equal to the population of Minneapolis and Cleveland combined.
It comes almost a year after the country started its vaccination campaign and amid the uncertainty of the new Omicron variant, which early studies have found can evade antibodies in double-vaccinated people. Information so far has led experts to speculate that this variant spreads more rapidly than Delta but symptoms are milder. These same experts are keen to emphasize that it is too early to draw any firm conclusions.
Meanwhile, in Europe, countries are grappling with how to react to the variant, with some opting for lockdowns and others introducing vaccine passports. In the U.K., Prime Minister Boris Johnson is coming under significant pressure after a major rebellion from his own party last night on new restrictions, as Omicron sweeps the country.
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‘We must remember all those we have lost’ – Biden
The president urged people to “pray for their loved ones” as the U.S. marks its 800,000th death during the pandemic.
As we mark 800,000 American deaths due to COVID-19, we must remember all those we have lost — and pray for their loved ones, especially during this holiday season.
Please, get vaccinated and get your booster. We will beat COVID-19 and move forward, together, as one nation.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 15, 2021
Why is Boris Johnson facing a backlash over COVID restrictions?
The British Prime Minister suffered a major rebellion from 99 of his own MPs last night in a vote to introduce tough new measures, prompting questions about his leadership.
Lawmaker Charles Walker, one of those who opposed, said the vote was “a cry of pain from the Conservative Party” that Johnson must listen to after weeks of scandal surrounding the alleged Downing Street party held last year which broke the rules at the time.
Critics like Walker suggest the new mandates are economically damaging, are too limiting on individual freedoms, and create a tiered system for the vaccinated and unvaccinated. Controversially, some have compared it to the apartheid regime in South Africa or life in 1930s Nazi Germany, prompting much criticism.
FULL STORY: Boris Johnson’s New COVID Restrictions Set Off Backlash From His Conservative Party
Good morning and welcome to Newsweek’s liveblog
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a significant backlash from his own party over new COVID restrictions voted through last night, as the U.S. and many other countries grapple with what action to take against Omicron.
Follow Newsweek’s liveblog throughout Wednesday for all the latest.
