Trouble is, we are constantly being told that there are record numbers of cases, but it isn't being made clear how serious these cases are and how many are being hospitalised or in intensive care. From what I can gather, the answer seems to be much lower in both cases. The few people I know who have had Covid have only had a mild illness, apart from one who has asthma. According to an article on the BBC the risk of hospitalisation is 2/3 lower with this variant (although that was based on a fairly small sample)
My worry is that the scientists are "following the science" without considering he real world, and are basing their opinions on the worst possible result.