This is an extra coronavirus edition of the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service.

I'm Jackie Leonard and in this podcast, published on Tuesday, 21 December,

we'll be taking stock of where we are with the pandemic just now

and asking what we should expect next.

We can't promise you that everything will be all right,

but we can promise you no drama, no fuss and no fear mongering.

Just the facts as we know them right now,

along with some educated reflection and prediction.

It's slightly longer than usual, there's a lot to get in, so let's begin.

It's been quite long. We're getting frustrated,

but at the same time I wouldn't mind another lockdown.

I think it's better for the world right now. Put support on the world.

I feel like everybody's just been desensitised to it, to be honest,

because it's been going on for so long.

Yeah, it's just, I know more things now, you know, or you just have to live with it, you know.

We need a bit of the truth about if these restrictions are working

or not.

My daughter had very complications for her COVID.

For us, the life is different now.

To be boring, I guess you just have to be patient and follow rules.

I'm just living my life and I'm keeping myself safe.

I can't worry about the government.

...