Irish Examiner view: Two steps forward and one back

Omicron variant

International passengers walk through the arrivals area at Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport in London, England. Flights from Southern Africa were suspended immediately as governments sought to tackle the emerging Omicron variant of Covid-19. Picture: Getty

If Covid-19 has taught us anything — other than a renewed deference for science coupled with our inability to juggle lots of numbers at the same time — then it is to take nothing for granted.

Just before the weekend nearly 100,000 South Africans were preparing to fly across the globe for long awaited reunions with family and friends over the Christmas and New Year holidays.