The last few months have been awful, the worst I can remember and I have been in medicine for almost half a century. Like everywhere, mistakes have been made but there is little doubt the situation has drastically improved.
New cases and infections are at their lowest since lockdown began, Britain is edging back to normality and I hope people are feeling more optimistic.
We’ve seen across Europe that countries which first eased their lockdowns back in mid-April are managing to reopen their economy and society, while keeping infections down. It isn’t going to be easy and we will see local outbreaks, but I believe it is the right time to get the country back on its feet.
Everybody is going to have to change their habits, washing their hands more, keeping their distance, being more considerate, but I believe that if everyone plays their part we can get back to some sort of normality quicker than many people think.
Professor Karol Sikora
Editor's reply
Dear Karol
You’re right. It’s been clear for months now that unless and until we find a vaccine, we’re going to have to find a way of functioning alongside Covid 19. We need to have an honest conversation about this.
We should remember that the lockdowns were introduced to stop hospital wards being overwhelmed. New capacity, better treatments and the heroic efforts of healthcare workers means that hasn’t happened.
Any easing of lockdown will mean an increase in virus cases — let’s stop pretending otherwise, or being surprised at new spikes in cases. But this has to be weighed against the huge cost to human health and well-being that comes from economic recession, unemployment, closed schools and (as you have warned) reduced treatment of other conditions such as cancer.
This can be explained to the public, who will understand, approve and adjust their behaviour accordingly.
George Osborne, Editor
