Omicron Hits 2022 Festivities, But Not Hope

If Nations End Vax Inequity: WHO

02.02.2021

The Omicron variant dampened New Year festivities around much of the world, with Paris cancelling its fireworks show, London relegating its to television, and New York City scaling down its famous ball drop celebration in Times Square.

The illuminated ball made of Waterford crystal panels slid down its pole at the midnight hour in Times Square, but only 15,000 spectators were allowed into the official viewing area instead of the usual 58,000. A year ago, the newly available vaccine offered hope that the Covid-19 pandemic may be under control by the start of 2022. Instead, the sudden arrival of Omicron has brought a surge in coronavirus cases across the globe.

Worldwide infections hit a record high over the past seven-day period, with an average of just over a million cases detected a day between December 24 and 30, up some 100,000 on the previous peak posted on Wednesday, according to Reuters data. Deaths, however, have not risen in kind, bringing hope the new variant is less lethal. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that he is optimistic that the Covid-19 pandemic will be defeated in 2022, provided countries work to- gether to contain its spread.

Ghebreyesus warned against “narrow nationalism and vaccine hoarding” in his New Year statement. His comments come two years since the WHO was first notified of cases of an unknown pneumonia strain in China. He warned that continuing inequity in vaccine distribution was increasing the risk of the virus evolving. “If we end inequity, we end the pandemic. ”

New York City reported a record 44,000 cases on Wednesday and another 43,000 on Thursday, leading some critics to question whether the celebrations should go ahead at all. But officials decided an outdoor party of vaccinated, masked and socially distant revellers was safe, and a better option than the virtually vacant celebration that rung in 2021. “I would be lying if I said I’m not concerned,” said Sue Park, a student who was one of the 15,000 allowed to watch in person. “But I think it’s worth it to come and celebrate. ”

President Joe Biden noted the losses and uncertainty caused by the pandemic but said: “We’re persevering. We’re recovering”. “Back to work. Back to school. Back to joy,” he said in a video posted on Twitter. “That’s how we made it through this year. And how we’ll embrace the next. Together. ”

Elsewhere around the globe, events were scaled back or cancelled outright, such as with the traditional fireworks over the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Midnight passed in Paris without a planned fireworksdisplayor DJsets, as officials cancelled events planned on the Champs-Elysees following the advice of a scientific panel that declared mass gatherings would be too risky.

In the Netherlands, where outside groupings of more than four people are banned, police dispersed several thousand people who had defiantly gathered at Amsterdam’s central Dam Square, ANP news agency reported. But in London, where a fireworks display and light show had been cancelled in October, officials announced on Friday the spectacle would come to life on the television screen, as Big Ben rang in the New Year for the first time since 2017 following a restoration. BBC images of fireworks showed very light vehicle traffic and virtually no in-person spectators.

Cape Town abruptly lifted a curfew just in time for the New Year, after South Africa became the first country to declare its Omicron wave had crested — and with no huge surge in deaths. South Africa had first raised the alarm about the new fast-spreading variant racing around the world.

In Berlin, police urged people not to gather near the Br- andenburg Gate, where a concert was staged without a live audience. Under sunny skies at the Vatican on New Year’s Day, Pope Francis encouraged people to focus on the good while acknowledging that the pandemic has left many struggling. “We’re still living in uncertain and difficult times due to the pandemic,” the 85-yearold pontiff told crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square.

People in Madrid queued for hours to get into the main Puerta del Sol square where celebrations went ahead with multiple security checkpoints, mandatory masks and capacity at 60% of nor mal levels. Saul Pedrero, a 34-year old clerk, made the trip from Barcelona, which has some of Spain’s strictest controls, including a 1am curfew. “It seems like another country. ”

In Asia, celebrations were mostly abridged or cancelled. In South Korea’s Seoul, a traditional midnight bell-ringing event was cancelled for the second year, while festivities were banned in Tokyo’s glittering Shibuya district. Dubai went ahead with its celebrations undeterred, with 36 firework displays at 29 locations. But authorities warned they would fine anyone not wearing a mask. Hope remains that 2022 may bring a new, less deadly phase of pandemic. “Hopefully 2022 is going to be better,” said Oscar Ramirez, 31, in Sydney. “Everyone in the world needs a big change. ”

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