Comment by BellLongworth on Overall numbers won't show the English strain coming · 2021-01-02T09:12:29.501Z · LW · GW

It's not clear what the proper reaction to the English strain is, other than what we should have been doing all along.

There is a spectrum of responses. We can start lockdowns a week earlier, enact stricter policies, put more effort on efficient vaccination.

For example, Israel gets a lot of good press for its fast vaccination program. While I'm sure good organization is the main contributor to their success, I believe there is also a strong external contributing factor: The second half of December is not a holiday season in Israel.

Could Europe and the US have moved to war footing in mid-December and not allowed the holidays to slow down their vaccination work? Yes.