Hi all,
So the UK went into a real full lockdown in the spring. This did indeed have a significant effect on the infection rate of the Coronavirus.
In June the gov started easing the measures. As of this week while not back to normal things ate pretty much open with very limited measures. It is mandatory to wear masks in shops. There aree limits to numbers of people in bars and restaurants. Social distancing is maintained in establishments.
Now the easing was in response to the population asking to be treated as adults. People said that they can self regulate themselves. Schools were opened in the last few weeks and hopes were that people would be sensible and keep the trend of low infections going.
Unfortunately the experiment has not gone as hoped. People have became complacent and have in many cases not taken much care. The infection rate has started to climb. We have gone from lows of 500ish confirm infections in July to almost 3000 yesterday.
Now the significance of this is that the government took the stance of dictating measures to be followed in easing the lockdown. Yet did not go heavy handed in enforcement acceding to the populace asking to self regulate as adults. It has not gone well. The gov has announced from 14 sep gatherings of more than six people are banned.
I am not advocating for or against any measures in this update. I am only reporting how things have unfolded and what measurable results are being seen as of the moment.
The concern here is different than what many who are arguing about this virus and the validity of it impacts.
Since the beginning the UK has had one major concern. The medical and care resources have an finite capacity. Within that capacity there will be a certain amount of deaths. The average numbers are well measured and understood. It is understood that this virus will increase the average death rates in people who already have life limiting conditions. This while unfortunate is unavoidable.
Where things get sticky is when the capacity become strained from quantities of people needing care. As that capacity gets overwhelmed the quality of care goes down. So at capacity and beyond the amount of people dying from ALL things requiring critical care resources begins to grow at an alarming rate.
So here we are. It is possible another national lockdown will be enacted this winter. Yet the jury is still out on that.
We do indeed live in interesting times.
A Soldier for life
