Welcome to the NZ Skeptics newsletter.
The COVID-19 pandemic marches on throughout the world, and this week we're seeing tragic increases in deaths in India. Unfortunately it seems that the Indian government was premature in announcing victory over COVID back in January.
While many first world countries are making great progress in rolling out vaccines it seems that the poorer countries are struggling. There's potential long-term consequences for letting the pandemic run out-of-control as the massive number of cases allow for mutations to create new, potentially deadlier or more infectious strains of the virus.
It's clearly in all our best interests to support the whole of humanity to deal with the pandemic, though there seems little that individuals in our isolated part of the world can do to help.
Being lucky to live in NZ where we've managed to isolate ourselves effectively I was able to socialise this weekend, attending a friend's 40th birthday. There's strong social norms associated with meeting socially with people, from hugging friends to shaking hands with new acquaintances. And wouldn't you know it, I've got a cold! I'm hoping it will be over with quickly!
Wishing you a great week...
