Hope on the horizon

London is usually quiet around Christmas – but as the city enters Tier 4 restrictions alongside the southeast of England, the quiet streets feel more pronounced this year.

Holiday plans have been shattered across the country as the government stands accused of ushering in last minute draconian measures to avoid parliamentary scrutiny.

2020 draws to a close with no tangible end in sight of the pandemic despite vaccine developments, and the new restrictions set to remain in place for months to come.

Our European neighbours are already closing their borders to passengers travelling from the UK in a bid to curb transmission of a new Covid-19 variant said to be ‘out of control’.

Supply chains are in disarray. Brexit is looming. The country increasingly resembles a police state akin to an Orwellian vision. Throw into the mix an ongoing cyber war and all its implications, and one can be forgiven for thinking the future looks pretty bleak. But there is hope on the horizon.  

Phenomenal advances have been made in the healthcare sector, on the coronavirus front and beyond. It just goes to show what scientists can achieve with ample funding.

There is much to be excited about. We live in awe-inspiring and seminal times. Only 20 years into the so-called ‘biotech century’, and experts say developments in the field could pave the way for a paradigm shift in the human experience. Molecular science is advancing exponentially. The possibilities are vast.

This year has been defined by upheaval and uncertainty. Although it’s easy to get caught up in the daily bombardment of bad news, there is still plenty to be optimistic about. We will pull through this.