The fact that the health secretary has tested positive for covid-19 is a serious matter, not because he happens to be the health secretary but because he is yet another individual who has contracted it after being double-vaxxed.

And Dr Linda Bauld, frequent interviewee on TV, said this morning that 46% of covid death patients are also fully vaccinated.

There is a message here; vaccination is no guarantee that you will not catch it again. It is a good defence against the disease in terms of severity – that has been demonstrated, but is that enough?

International travel has been hit because you will now have to self-isolate on returning from France even if you have had both vaccinations. Why? Because of concern about the beta variant which arose in South Africa.

Bulgaria has banned British people from going there and what is the betting that within a week, that country will be joined by lot more given the rate of increase in the numbers of new cases.

As usual there are complaints after complaints from people over the new French restrictions but really? Everyone was warned things could change over-night and they have.

Thinking of a foreign holiday? Forget it! Too many difficulties at the moment; better thinking of a staycation. How about a trip to Blackpool?

Adrian Leopard 17-07-21

Photo Mark McNeil