Every time we think life might be returning to normal, along comes another Covid variant Scientists are again striking a fatalistic tone – but we will only be able to test our hard-won vaccine resilience by ending lockdown These variants are handy, aren't they? Each time the Government needs to scare the public into submission, a new mutation pops up and chastens anyone considering reclaiming their pre-lockdown life. Last week, Boris Johnson warned that the Indian variant could mean some "hard choices" which might see the full release of lockdown pushed back beyond June 21. Undoubtedly, cases of this latest mutated virus are on the rise. It is now the dominant strain in some areas. Yet there is currently no evidence to suggest any of the variants will evade the vaccine programme, or that a new rise in cases will lead to an increase in hospital admissions or deaths.