I know that the Christmas break was not the relaxing time we had all hoped for. As the Omicron variant surged, affecting many of us, your families, our teams, volunteers and interns.

On the upside, in Welcome to 2022, the year this pandemic ends, Nick Coatsworth says with the unrelenting spread of the Omicron variant and take-up of vaccines, the global population will generate immunity to this virus, and we will again be free to live again – social and optimistic!

Over the past two years, we have seen extraordinary displays of personal courage and community spirit accepting numerous restrictions, unprecedented disruptions to the education of our young, and intrusions into our lives and livelihoods.

Now with the significant contribution from Australian science in genome sequencing, modelling and research, cheap, available vaccinations and more treatable respiratory virus – more like influenza.

Kids can get back to school. Teenagers can meet with their friends. Young adults can study and travel. New starters can enjoy face to face inductions. Companies the benefit of personal collaboration. Not- for-profits the return of volunteers.

While the Omicron variant case numbers have been alarming and the disruption of health and other systems has been massive, as Regis Professor of Medicine at Oxford John Bell concluded, Omicron is not the same disease we were seeing a year ago and has likely peaked in NSW and Victoria

And a new patent-free COVID-19 vaccine could be a pandemic game changer globally.

We can get ready to live with COVID-19.

Following health directions as required. Committing to routine vaccinations and washing our hands often or using hand sanitiser. Wearing our masks, maintaining social distancing and keeping high traffic areas clean. Improving ventilation indoors in both natural (e.g., keeping windows/doors open) and mechanical ways (e.g., heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems). We can get back to community spaces for the many positive social and mental health benefits they provide. To share common ground. To get together. Which is all very exciting!

Suzanne Campbell
CEO and Founder
Vennu