Welcome to our weekly newsletter highlighting the best of The Economist’s coverage of the pandemic and its effects.

As infections hit record highs in Hong Kong, a worryingly high proportion of pensioners remain unvaccinated. Only 30% of over-80s have had a first dose, compared with 86% of residents aged 12-69. The old and unjabbed could now pay a heavy price for their reticence.

But enforcing tougher covid policies can turn ugly. Just look at Ottawa. This week we explain why the anti-government rage sparked by covid rules in the Canadian capital will live on despite a state of emergency. 

Divisions are becoming entrenched in many countries between those who favour precautionary covid policies and those who are hostile to state interference. The latest edition of the Democracy Index from our sister company, the Economist Intelligence Unit, reflects the further suspension of civil liberties in both developed democracies and authoritarian regimes in 2021 because of the pandemic. The index fell to a record low. 

Variants that have already spread worldwide are unlikely to be the last. Researchers are trying to map where the next variant of concern is most likely to emerge. The answer: a handful of poor African countries.