From across the pond…
UK stats:
Fully vaccinated 73%
Boosted 57%
So here in England (I think in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as well) we're pretty much back to "normal".
No mask mandate in place.
Walking around town, going in to shops and eateries, no masks in sight.
Here and there a few people are wearing them while outside.
It does feel odd and often I feel kind of naked maskless — I still have a mask in every jacket or coat pocket — an unopened packet in my desk drawer and a stack in the car.
Breathing freely does feel great though, however, should someone ask me to wear one in their establishment, I will have no problem in doing so.
Testing is now strictly on a need to know basis, new infections are no longer reported. So what the actual situation is I dunno.
Across the border, Covid infection levels are rising in Scotland… no one has an explanation why that should be.
While Covid has not gone, I think right now it occupies fewer people's minds. Putin has seen to that.
In old newspaper parlance, Covid news is now decidedly "Below the fold".
We shall see.