It is a tribute to the magnificent work of NHS staff and volunteers that half the adult population has now been vaccinated.
Our European neighbours can only look on in awe and with resentment as they make a pig’s ear of their own vaccine programmes.
That is no excuse for EU president Ursula von der Leyen to renew her threats to our rollout.
Yet even with such a success, Boris Johnson cannot help but over-promise and under-deliver.
Last weekend the PM allowed it to be known that over-40s would be jabbed by Easter. Now he has had to admit they will not get their first shot until May. At the earliest.
Matt Hancock says this is because vaccine supplies are “lumpy”. Translation: In trouble.
If he starts using “bumpy” we really will be in the doo-doo. But whether lumpy, bumpy or dumpy, all we ask is that they level with us and give it to us straight.
Europe is braced for a third wave. Variants are on the increase. And the furthest we are likely to get away for a holiday this year is Land’s End or John o’ Groats.
When it comes to Covid, this country is not an island. What happens elsewhere could cause a tsunami here.
That is why there can be no repeat of past mistakes. Mr Johnson must tread carefully and speak straight.
Because careless talk costs lives.
Met’s shame
There is now an inquiry into the manhandling of women by Metropolitan police officers at last week’s vigil for Sarah Everard.
Today’s Sunday Mirror investigation into sexism and misogyny within the force should prompt another one.
We heard harrowing accounts of sexual assault, unacceptable touching and inappropriate language by male officers towards their female colleagues.
And one former officer claimed Cressida Dick heading up the Met makes no difference.
She said the appointment of a female commissioner was mere “window dressing”.
Police chiefs seem to be turning a blind eye to what is happening under their nose. Behaviour said to be tolerated for the boys in blue would result in a P45 in any other workplace.
Policing can only be done with the consent of the people.
It will fail if the half of those people who are women lose confidence in the police.
Heaven XI
The word legend is too often used of footballers. But Peter Lorimer really was one.
At his death yesterday, the Scotland international still retained the title of Leeds United’s all-time record goal scorer.
The figures are breathtaking – 238 goals, 705 appearances. A career spanning 23 years. Youngest ever player at 15.
Not for nothing was Lorimer nicknamed Hotshot.
And we are sure that today Hotshot is smashing them in between those two great goalposts in the sky.
