Gryla

I like to pick up a xmas decoration if I see one on my travels, which reminds me of those holidays when I put my xmas decorations up. This is Gryla from Iceland, who is the mother of the Yule lads and is not so cosy as our xmas tales https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2654749034824075310 

‘This giantess is one of the most evil figures of Icelandic folklore, and still told as a horror story to children over the festive season. Throughout the year, it is said that she collects whispers about children around the island misbehaving, and when winter sets in, she sets out to gather them. Her appetite for the flesh of naughty youths is insatiable, and each year, she finds no shortage of her favourite crop. Collecting them up in a sack, she then cooks them in a pot and turns them into a giant stew that will sustain her until the next winter.’
guidetoiceland.is

Day 647 / Day 14 of Plan B (for my record only)
There were 119,789 new cases today, up nearly a third in two days and another new record. The ONS weekly infection survey of private households to 16th Dec shows 1 in 45 with the virus in England (up); 1 in 70 in Scotland (up); 1 in 55 in Wales (unchanged); and 1 in 50 in NI (unchanged), meaning c1.4m people in the UK had Covid that week, the highest ever recorded - note this data is already out of date due to the rapid spread of Omicron. Early data from a study by Imperial College found a materially lower hospitalisation risk from Omicron compared to Delta. Early data just released by the UKHSA suggests people are 30-45% less likely to go to A&E if infected with Omicron rather than Delta and are 50-70% less likely to need to be admitted to hospital - a big caveat is that this is largely based on people under 40 as this is where the highest case rates are at the moment. They also said that 10 weeks after the booster the effect in preventing symptomatic disease has already dropped by 15-25%, although protection against serious disease would hold up for longer. The UKHSA says London has the highest infection rates, up from 729.7 per 100k on 12th Dec to 1,732.6 on 19th. Covid patients in London hospitals are up 44% in the last week. A University of Warwick estimate that if Omicron’s severity was just 20% of that of Delta, there would be just under 5,000 hospital admissions a day in England in early Jan but if Step 2 restrictions were introduced on Boxing Day this would reduce to 3,000 a day. If they weren’t introduced until Jan, they would have no impact on admissions. NHS staff absences related to Covid in England are up by over 50% on 19th Dec from the start of the month. The Health Secretary has accepted the JCVI advice yesterday on paediatric jabs for at risk 5-11 year olds and to extend the booster to at risk 12-15s and all 16-17s. Scotland announced further restrictions with nightclubs closing for at least 3 weeks from 27th. No new restrictions post xmas for England will be announced this week.