Three new variants of Covid-19 have been causing concern in recent times. One that originated in the UK, another that originated in South Africa and more recently a variant that has originated in Brazil. But what are variants and should we be worried about them?
Updated / Friday, 15 Jan 2021
16:03 A statement of fact about what is the case for some situation is categorically different from a statement about how we ought to respond to it.
Opinion: people feel differently in their moral response to the same issue regardless of scientific facts
When it comes to Covid-19, science deals in empirically verifiable facts such as the genetic composition of the virus, its effects on human organs and how it is transmitted. Morality, on the other hand, deals with values and principles to guide how we should try to behave towards ourselves and others in response to a range of acts, issues and situations.
Oliver Callan
Cabinet and NPHET pointing fingers over who’s to blame for Ireland’s record Covid-19 surge while death toll rises
Comment
13 Jan 2021, 7:15
THERE is an unseemly political row going on between the State and NPHET over who is to blame for Ireland’s record Covid surge.
NPHET has strongly pedalled the line that increased socialising was the cause, suggesting Cabinet is at fault for ignoring their advice against reopening hospitality.
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Dr Mike Ryan said increased social mixing and reduction of physical distancing was the cause of the third wave of the virus, not the new UK variantCredit: Reuters