. . World News – GB – Jonathan Van Tam is lining up his latest football metaphor. . . And home openings easily

At a press conference in Downing Street, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of England celebrated the Moderna vaccine. . . In his own incomparable way

Cumbersome, right. On the one hand, it is great to hear that another vaccine is on the way. But on the other hand, as the ministers anxiously remind us, none of the possible vaccines has passed all the required safety tests so far. .

As a result, it’s hard to decide how you feel. Do we dare to let ourselves be excited? Or are we steeped in myths, fearing that our early chants will somehow frustrate the advance of vaccines and ensure their failure?

At a press conference last Monday in Downing Street, Jonathan Van Tam, England’s vice president of medicine, summed up the nerve-wracking uncertainty with the soccer metaphor.. He said waiting for a Covid vaccine to be approved was like watching your team on penalties. Your team scored its first penalty kick – but the penalty shootout isn’t over yet. Not by long chalk.

Professor Van Tam is clearly happy with this analogy, as he used it again at this recent Downing Street press conference. Earlier today, American biotechnology company Moderna announced that its vaccine was 94. 5% effective.

Professor Van Tam declared: « This is the second punishment. ». « This has also gone to the back of the network! »

It was a noble effort to boost morale. Then again, I doubt it will do much to calm the nerves of the nation. After all, the penalties are tense enough as they are. But they are more nervous when sanctions are imposed at a rate of one per week. By Christmas, we’ll have nails bite down to the elbow.

I’m afraid to think of what Professor Van Tamm would say if one of the vaccines failed the safety test. « I regret to confirm that our team’s third penalty kick fell hard in the stands behind the goal. Meanwhile, the virus has confidently sent out all three penalties so far, and is now teetering on the spot to take its fourth. Unfortunately, our goalkeeper has received orders to self-isolate for the next 14 days.

Nevertheless, at least one man felt encouraged by Professor Van Tam’s character: Matt Hancock, the Minister of Health, who was standing next to him.. « Thank you so much for encouraging us all, JVT! » Mr. Hancock tweeted.

The Minister of Health always addresses Professor Van Tam with his initials, even in the most formal places – as if Professor Van Tam, instead of a senior public health official in England, was a young rapper, or a member of a boy band.

What Professor Van Tam does about this insult is unknown, but he does not anyway reciprocate. He just says, “Thank you, Secretary of State. And it is without a doubt the most reasonable response. After all, he can hardly say, « Thank you, SOS, » or he might seem like he’s desperate to walk away from him..

Fortunately, Professor Van Tam remains a model of cool composure. The rest of us sit on the edge of our sofas anxiously awaiting the next penalty kick.

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Jonathan Van Tamm, Vaccine, Moderna, Matt Hancock, Chief Medical Officers