As we enter Winter with schools returned and workers returning to offices the level of infections has predictably risen. But is it it worth holding our nerve against launching the government’s coronavirus plans?
Whilst the UK has higher rates compared to Europe the infection rate is not as high as some predictions of upwards of 100,00 per day; the hospitalisation and mortality rate is not causing crises in the NHS beyond what is always expected with flu epidemics every winter.
So as Winter encroaches do we need to implement the government’s plan B from its Winter Plan?
As Spiked explains, wearing masks is not proven as the answer to reducing infections. Government “advice” to wear a mask is next to useless as it is only partially listened to – in effect next to useless.
Also the onset of Winter is not entirely the cause of the rise in infections. Vaccine passports are still controversial in how they are are illiberal. Overall, the Winter Plan is not necessarily the solution ot the current problem.
So why is the government not prioritising this enough? In spite of its acknowldgement of the centrality of the booster, the programme has so far under-delivered with Gps focusing on their own non-coronavirus backlog instead.
It has already been trailed that lockdowns have reduced the population’s natural immunity to the Winter flu which may put high pressure on the NHS. So preventive measures like the booster roll out are critical and necessary in how they will mitigate the worst case scenario of another lockdown which our economy could not fully cope with.
The need for leadership from the government is still high. Media paranoia about the rising infection rate, recent issues with testing, and the ability of the NHS to cope this winter, all contribute to rising levels of fear and concern as people are obliged to return to education and work.
So as a country we need to normalise vaccinations for coronavirus as we do with ‘flu – a seasonal process without restrictions on the economy. Coronavirus appears to be a long term feature of our lives and the government needs to plan beyond the winter.
