We are beginning to think of ending the lock-down. How different will it be afterwards?
That little strand of RNA wrapped up as COVID-19 has altered our behaviour. It has shut our institutions; schools, universities, travel, industries, retail and the legal system. Health, policing, food and pharmacy remain active with some local travel.
Some of us have been able to work from home and found it satisfactory. A friend is wondering why he keeps a London office; a weekly meeting in an office hired for half a day may be sufficient. Others strive to work amid the domestic activities of children and housework. The fashion for open-plan living areas in houses has not helped.
Social events, sport, theatre, concerts, festivals and fairs are ideal means of spreading COVID. We can limit the risk by having more but smaller events. There is an attraction to watch the very best in the field, but we can get as much pleasure watching a school concert or football team striving to be the best.
Lessons I learnt 65 years ago
Getting things moving again is exercising our politicos. They are thinking countrywide but should be thinking locally. There are areas of the country without COVID and other regions with low levels. Chandler’s Ford has had four COVID deaths, Hiltingbury two but Colden Common has none. I cannot find the figure for how many of us have been infected.
Now we are remembering the basic lessons that I first learned 65 years ago at medical school, we could get local areas working. The first lesson is to make a diagnosis, then you know what the treatment must be and what is likely to happen. We have tests, we can make a secure diagnosis.
The second lesson is that, in the event of a threatened epidemic, act quickly to isolate those affected, cut off the source of the infection and trace the contacts. We have got round to thinking about this – Track, Test, Trace and Treat.
A smallpox epidemic in 1961
I had direct experience of this when the country was threatened with a smallpox epidemic in 1961. My flatmate, and his girlfriend, were traced as contacts and both were quarantined in my flat. I had to find somewhere else to live. We students were recruited to do vaccination clinics. The old methods worked, and only 40 people died of smallpox.
I was surprised not to be checked for illness when we returned from Sri Lanka in March this year. A week or two later, the President of the Sri Lankan Medical Association, travelling in the opposite direction, from London to Colombo, was taken to an old army camp out in the bush. There he spent two weeks in quarantine with builders and housemaids returning from the Middle East.
Support local initiatives when you can
By the end of this summer, Chandler’s Ford will be different. Schools will be half-open, and many of our local firms and shops will have disappeared. It is a reminder to support local initiatives when you can. Shops, banks and GP surgeries will operate in new ways. What will we do for our holidays?
Moving on
Looking to the Autumn and Winter, we are likely to have the second wave of infections which may be larger than this one. Another, smaller, is probable early in 2021. When 60-70% of us have recovered from the virus or have been vaccinated, the pandemic will fade away. Buckle up. We are in for a rough 12 months. Like many of you, I am locked-down for a while, but that is better than being underground for eternity.
Stay Safe.
Well said Mike. I realised, looking at one of the images, CoronaVirus contains the word US. One of the positives of this period had been the massive community spirit that has manifested. In our neighbourhood, this is very evident. The other winner is the environment. I read in the Indian news media that people in Punjab can now see the Himalayas, some 250 KM away! Before the virus they couldn’t see beyond the bonnet of their cars due to the smog.
TV is currently obsessed with a daily, lengthy, endlessly repetitive coronavirus update and with the fortitude of “our greatest generation” during WW2, when military and civilians, bonded by companionship and good humour, simply got on with the job, prepared, if called upon, to surrender their lives for the Country.
We are now faced with an even greater threat, the destruction of the World as a consequence of over-population by humanity, the most destructive pest species ever to have existed. Should we not simply get on with our lives, philosophically, and be prepared, if called, to die for our Planet?
We are all going to die ‘for the planet,’ Barry. Sooner or later. I want it to be later.
The problem is at the other end; not being born. Most of the world wants as many sons and daughters as possible as they represent your pension.
As for pollution, isn’t it pleasant to hear birdsong instead of aircraft turboprops?
I have just rediscovered this site !
These are difficult times but I am so pleased that there have been lots of benefits .
I am getting to know my neighbour’s and the kindness and thoughtfulness of others is surprising .
I can hear the birds , the roads are quiet .
I hope we all remember the positives and catty some of the good things forward .
Hi Lynne,
I agree. I can hear the birds, and sometimes I thought …. they are quite ….. loud! It’s just so lovely to hear them.
Yes the roads are quiter. However recently when I took the car as I was helping a neighbour with shopping, I felt some drivers were rather aggressive and they still drove too fast. Now some people also cycle in the middle of the road (as a small group), as they feel it’s so safe that they could freely cycle anywhere. However they are still some cars around, and I hope drivers can slow down and pay attention, and all road users should be vigilant as always.