What’s new for 2022
This time last year, I was cautiously optimistic, while still planning on burying my theoretical wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano in the back garden, ala Samuel Pepys. This year, I may not be able to access the cheese for the next year, due to continuing Brexit troubles with the Continent, but we shall see.
France is heading up the EU Presidency for the next six months while holding national elections, so events across the Channel no doubt will have an impact on our borders again. I have to say, it often feels like the British borders are less controlled by the national government now, than when we were still in the EU.
Not to mention another coronavirus variant, Omicron. Some national borders have closed again (France to anyone who is not a citizen) and well, it feels like the sequel to last year’s pandemic opening. I’m only hoping it winds up to be Paddington 2 or The Empire Strikes Back, rather than one of the Batman sequels. A good sequel versus a poor one.
On the upside, we are all vaccinated and boostered here. Here in London, our friends have still been hit by Covid, but the results have been a few grumpy days indoors and not interacting with others (my one friend enjoyed binging on box sets, free from having to cater to her children’s demands all day), due to the vaccination programme.
I would also mention access to free rapid testing, which has been another feature here in the UK. I was wandering around visiting pharmacies the other day to secure more tests so that we could take them to go visit our relatives. I know not everyone gets this for free and again, thanks to the national health service (NHS) and its supporting agencies for this.
So, while we’re not out of the woods yet with this particular global pandemic, it’s here for 2022. Whatever you may get up to this year, I wish you all the best and hope to see you in person and online.
- Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International.
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Twitter: @dairyindustries or LinkedIn: Dairy Industries International magazine.
