I have not been writing on this blog for quite a few weeks now. Two reasons: Firstly, there is a bit of a lull in the pandemic at the moment. The numbers in most European countries went down remarkably during Spring 2022.
Although the numbers are creeping up in many places, there is a feeling that this is actually not something new – and not something very important.
Secondly, as our attention is shifting away from COVID-19, other areas are becoming a focus of research – and blogging. As a result, I have found myself crazily busy with research (and administration).
A successful trip to India working on water hyacinth and plant pests and diseases has now been followed by a visit to Poland, working on bark beetle infestation of spruce forests.
In the meantime, very pleasant news from Helen McArdle, @HMcArdleHT. One of her (brilliant) @heraldscotland articles has just been shortlisted for the Association of British Science Writers @absw award:
The judges say:
Helen McArdle, Variant has made herd immunity through vaccination ‘mathematically impossible’ in Scotland, Herald on Sunday
Judges Quote: This excellent piece makes the maths of the pandemic easy to digest. It is reported in detail and concerns a subject of great public interest and importance, highlighting the serious challenge face in seeking to attain ‘herd immunity’.
https://www.absw.org.uk/pages/absw-awards-2022-the-finalists
and the piece is here.
Over the last two years, I have worked with several brilliant journalists and editors. I am very pleased that my humble contribution helped Helen in getting to the final of these awards.