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Christmas Lockdown Letters: We’re Asking You For Your Stories This Festive Season
It’s a Christmas like no other with nearly 136,000 people expected to be self-isolating for Christmas Day.
Close to 50,000 of them will be confined to their bedrooms, while the remainder will be restricting their movements to the house as close contacts leave plates of food at the door for their loved ones.
How are you faring this Christmas?
We are asking our Irish Independent and Independent.Ie readers to share their self-isolation stories with us.
Our special series, ‘Lockdown Letters' gave our readers at home and across the globe an opportunity to share their stories about how Covid was impacting their lives in these unprecedented times.
This fortnight, our ‘Christmas Lockdown Letters’ will give readers a chance to put pen to paper on their very different Christmas, how they are feeling and maybe how you’re planning an alternative Christmas in your home.
Please email your submission (400 words max.) to stories@independent.Ie along with a photograph.
We will publish as many letters as possible on Independent.Ie and a selection in print.
We appreciate your readership and hope you are having a safe and healthy Christmas week.
Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan's exclusive take on the day's news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.
Boris Will NOT Announce Any Lockdown Restrictions Before Christmas, As New Data Shows Omicron IS Weaker
BORIS Johnson will not announce any lockdown restrictions before Christmas Day - as new data shows the Omicron variant IS weaker.
Downing Street was spurred on by new glimmers of hope after it emerged the mutant strain is less lethal and powerless against jabs.
5
Christmas shoppers flocked to Winchester's high street to pick up some last minute purchasesCredit: PATwo bombshell UK studies tonight revealed Omicron appears half as likely to put people in hospital as the Delta variant.
The findings, announced by Professor Neil Ferguson - dubbed Prof Lockdown - encouraged the PM to delay any announcements of potential restrictions.
He said vaccines remain our best defence against Covid, while those who have previously been infected will also have some immunity.
But the PM confirmed that just two jabs are not enough to fight the new mutant strain saying: “The most important thing we can all do is to get a jab.”
Despite the good news, Wales and Northern Ireland have been plunged into further restrictions from Boxing Day - with the PM urged not to follow down that path for England just yet.
Instead, he has urged Brits to get boosted now, making it more vital than ever for vaccine volunteers to sign up to The Sun's Jabs Army campaign.
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Mr Johnson said: “While much about this new variant remains uncertain, we do know that two jabs does not give you enough protection against catching Omicron.
“You need that booster to bolster your immune system and to protect yourself and your family."
Brits have been warned not to make plans for New Year's Eve quite yet - after daily confirmed cases passed the 100,000 total for the first time in the pandemic.
Of those, 13,581 cases were of the Omicron strain.
Mr Johnson added: “This Christmas, I urge Sun readers and everyone across the UK to take extra special care to protect yourselves and your families against Covid.
“The Omicron variant continues to surge across the country faster than anything we have seen before.
“So please keep following the guidance, remembering to wear a mask when needed, open the windows for ventilation, and take a test before visiting your nearest and dearest, particularly if they are elderly or vulnerable.”
But on the back of the good data rising star Tory MP Greg Smith told The Sun:
“Wales and Scotland have completely jumped the gun with positive data coming out of South Africa and London.
“We need to keep putting our eggs in the vaccine basket.
We need to keep putting our eggs in the vaccine basket.
Tory MP Greg Smith“I really hope the PM will not make any rushed decisions now and hold off until after Christmas before even considering any further measures.”
Revellers were today warned against sending New Year's Eve invites just yet in case there is a need for party-pooping restrictions.
Millions are desperate to end 2021 with a big blow-out and are praying the PM doesn't drop bombshell circuit-breaker curbs.
But they were kept in limbo as Care Minister Gillian Keegan told them not to bank on firm arrangements.
She said: "There is uncertainty. So if you can't change your plans quickly, then maybe think about it.
"We can't predict what the data is going to tell us before we've got the data."
The Health Secretary Sajid Javid refused to rule out further restrictions again yesterday, instead just saying: “The best advice is continue to remain cautious… no new restrictions before Christmas and beyond that we will just keep the situation under review.”
The PM will continue pouring over key hospital data that could make or break his decision to pull the trigger on a post-Christmas tightening after the weekend.
If the NHS risks being swamped with Omicron he could catapult the country back to Step 2 measures like outdoor pints.
But Ms Keegan said evidence of Omicron's severity was the "missing piece" of information Ministers had been waiting for.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford today turned the screw on Boris by unveiling a Boxing Day toughening of the rules.
The hated Rule of Six will return for pubs, restaurants and cinemas in Wales and large events will be banned.
Labour's Drakeford has been ridiculed for daft rules which fine £60 people for going to the office - but not the pub.
The First Minister also took a pop shot at the PM, accusing him of dithering and claimed he was hostage to Cabinet concerns about more restrictions.
Taking a swing at the press conference he blasted: "They are paralysed by their internal divisions and are unable to act on it."
Dressing down the PM, Mr Drakeford insisted they both had the same data - but only one of them had acted.
He said: "I heard the Prime Minister earlier this week in an interview say the position had never been more urgent.
"And asked what he was going to do about it, he said that he was doing nothing. Well, that would not be acceptable to me."
Meanwhile Tony Blair last night rowed back from branding those who have not had a jab "irresponsible idiots" who are almost certainly going to catch Covid.
Lashing out at refuseniks who turned down their life-saving jabs, the ex-PM insisted they were unprotected and were set to get the new super-contagious variant ripping through Britain.
And Brits should gear up for a fourth jab next year to keep their immunity up, he stressed.
But last night he said he had been too “undiplomatic” in his language following a backlash.
London's streets were quiet today as Omicron-weary Brits stayed indoorsCredit: PA
Brits are currently preparing for Christmas after Boris Johnson said they could go ahead with plansCredit: Getty
Covid self-isolation period slashed from 10 days to just a week – freeing up to 280,000 Brits to enjoy Christmas
County Says No Lockdown + SGV Pollution + Christmas Tree Lane
PASADENA, CA — Hello, everybody! It's me again, Andy Nguyen, your host of the Pasadena Digest. There was a bit of a break between the last edition of the digest and now, but I'm back with the latest collection of news from around the Southland. Our top stories include Los Angeles County officials saying no lockdown is needed amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, areas like the San Gabriel Valley tackling industrial pollution and the history of Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane.
First, today's weather:
Mostly cloudy. High: 66 Low: 54.
Here are the top stories in Pasadena today:
LA Slice Kings Prime Pizza Expand Again, This Time to Santa Monica (Eater LA)
2 Pasadena Area Open Houses Coming Up (Pasadena Patch)
Man wounded in Glassell Park shooting (The Eastsider LA)
Latest Pets Up For Adoption In The Pasadena Area (Pasadena Patch)
Classic Holiday Sips Transform Into Scoopable Sweets (NBC Southern California)
L.A. County says no lockdown needed now as California requires boosters for health workers (Los Angeles Times)
With ‘Green Zones,’ San Gabriel Valley, Southeast, East LA, find hope in tackling industrial pollution (The Pasadena Star-News)
Christmas Tree Lane's history is rooted in Altadena's foundation and deodar trees (KABC-TV)
Today's Pasadena Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at GoodRx — the best way to save money on your prescriptions. GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies, so you're not overpaying. Works for pet medications too! To see how much you can save, go to GoodRx.Com.
Today in Pasadena:
V B Soccer (non-league) vs Crespi - Pasadena High School (3:30 PM)
JV B Soccer (non-league) vs Crespi - Pasadena High School (5:00 PM)
From my notebook:
Pasadena Humane: "Santos, with his Santa hat and snow white fur, is the perfect poster boy for the first day of winter! ❄️ Swipe to see a couple (still cute) outtakes from this goofy guy's photo shoot. 😂" (Instagram)
Visit Pasadena: "This photo of City Hall is perfect for winter. The bright lights have a sort of holiday feel to them. Thank you @byuloraerial for shining a light on the extravagant architecture of the building! #visitpasadena #pasadenaca #architectureph..." (Instagram)
Pasadena Motorcycle Club: "January 2022 American Motorcyclist Magazine" (Instagram)
City of Pasadena - Public Agency: "Spread facts, not COVID. #GetVaccinated and #GetBoosted as soon as possible: MyTurn.Ca.Gov" (Facebook)
City of Pasadena - Public Agency: "City Hall and most City services will be closed for the Christmas and New Year's holidays. View specific closures and reminders: https://bit.Ly/32a6arG" (Facebook)
Pasadena Public Library: "Be sure to check out the nominees for the 2022 Pasadena One City, One Story. Join us tomorrow Wed, Dec 22 at 4pm on the library's YouTube (https://bit.Ly/3ouCrSu) as the One City, One Story book titles are unveiled!Visit the link in ou..." (Instagram)
Pasadena Public Library: "Save the date for the Hill Avenue Holiday Special! Join us on Zoom for a cozy evening of songs by the fireplace. Don't forget to bring some hot chocolate and a warm blanket! Tomorrow, December 22, 7pm on Zoom. To reserve your spot, vis..." (Instagram)
Nextdoor Neighbor, Downtown-Oakland/Madison: "The city of Pasadena's very own Superhero Guardians saves the holiday spirit at La Pintoresca Park. - Go, Heroes, Go!" (Nextdoor)
Nextdoor Neighbor, Upper Hastings Ranch: "Hello Neighbors! - This is a time-sensitive request. Would you please share your best handyman contacts? We have a one-room indoor paint job that needs finishing this week. The prep work is done. Life challenges got ahold of the contract..." (Nextdoor)
Nextdoor Neighbor, Upper Hastings Ranch: "Pasadena Bookies Book Club Meeting - Our January book is Mr. Fox by Helen Oyeyemi. We will be meeting on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 11:30 a.M.We will meet at my house, outside (if weather permits) so bring a chair. I do have some ..." (Nextdoor)
Nextdoor Neighbor, San Rafael Hills: "Starting Jan 1, all California cities must have an organics recycling program. - Here are the details for Pasadena:https://www.Cityofpasadena.Net/public-works/recycling-resources/special-waste-recycling/sb-1383-information-and-resources/" (Nextdoor)
Nextdoor Neighbor, San Rafael Hills: "Avoid San Rafael On-Ramp to 134 if Possible - If you have not already found this out the hard way, there is construction at Colorado and San Rafael where you turn to get onto the 134 freeway, and the signal timing is way off, resulting i..." (Nextdoor)
Nextdoor Neighbor, Southeast Pasadena: "Found lost dog! - No collar. Intersection of Sierra madre and California on the street." (Nextdoor)
Community Outreach and Media Specialist Tiffany Wright, City of Pasadena: "Christmas and New Year’s Closures and Reminders - Pasadena residents and businesses are reminded that City Hall and most City services will be closed on Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24, and New Year’s Eve, Friday, Dec. 31. Specific closur..." (Nextdoor)
Tori Hoffman, Patch Staff: "The season of giving is upon us. Is there a local nonprofit organization in Pasadena you go out of your way to support during the holiday season? Tell us about it. Https://patch.Com/compose" (Patch)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with another update!
— Andy Nguyen
This article originally appeared on the Pasadena Patch
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