Will there be another lockdown colorado8/31/2023 ![]() ![]() Non-essential shops, and leisure businesses could be forced to close, increasing pressure on the Government to bring back emergency support measures such as furlough and business rate holidays. Measures could include the cancelling of all New Year’s Eve gatherings, other indoor sporting and music events, and a possible return to online learning for school and university students. Let’s focus together on how we get there.For lockdown restrictions to be triggered, the Omicron variant would need to cause significant hospitalisations and force the NHS to breaking point, which is considered a worst case scenario. We all want the same thing: for the pandemic to end, and to get back to normal life. Let us hope this autumn brings a move away from a divided society arguing over how serious Covid-19 is, to one where we collectively work towards managing this problem, slowing the spread of the disease, and saving lives and livelihoods. Covid-19 is still here, and we are still in the midst of a pandemic. To avoid a lockdown, we need the various components of the system – vaccination, behavioural changes and widespread testing – to work together. While a lockdown could become inevitable if health services look close to collapsing, there’s a real chance to avoid harsh winter restrictions. Like every country in the northern hemisphere, the UK government will be steering us through increasingly stormy waters in the months ahead. A more effective measure, however, would be moving from the charity model of donating vaccines to one in which regional manufacturing hubs are set up – so that low-income countries can procure their own supplies, with assistance from the World Bank. There’s no point having a ventilator if there’s are no trained intensive care staff to operate it.Īnd while it has a heavy focus on national policies, the plan also notes the importance of helping to vaccinate the world, focusing on Covax, a multilateral mechanism where richer countries donate doses to poorer ones. ![]() The recent backlash against GPs risks upsetting those who are the lifeblood of the NHS and adding to the growing mental health toll and burnout of medical staff. Even before Covid-19, the NHS was stretched during winter, and real investment is needed in not only infrastructure such as beds and equipment, but in recruiting adequate staff and ensuring they are treated properly. Little detail is given on what the cash will be used for. The plan then looks at how better to support the NHS through the winter, including long Covid services and additional financial investment. In support of these pillars, the government is advising people how to avoid respiratory infections in general: getting outside as much as possible, opening windows and ventilating indoor spaces, wearing masks indoors in shops and on public transport, and avoiding crowded and busy places. ![]() This will, fortunately, continue over the winter period. Home testing has been a success, with lateral flow tests finding almost a quarter of positive cases, and preventing infectious individuals from going to schools, workplaces and social events. The second pillar that we are relying on is community testing to catch positive cases so that those infected can isolate for 10 days and not pass on the infection to others. In an effort to increase uptake among younger groups, as well as keep businesses such as nightclubs open, vaccine certification is being kept as a reserve policy in England should it be necessary, while Scotland is already moving ahead with these plans. This will keep pressure off busy paediatric units and avoid children having prolonged Covid-19 symptoms. A concern among scientists is waning immunity, which is to be addressed through a booster programme for priority groups such as health and social care workers, those over 50 and those with underlying health issues.Īnother concern is teenagers, which has been addressed through the green light for a mass vaccination programme for 12- to 15-year-olds, similar to those in the US, Canada, Germany, France, Singapore and Israel. Vaccines are being relied upon to do the heavy lifting in damping transmission, stopping severe illness and keeping pressure off the NHS. In stark contrast, Johnson’s tone yesterday was more serious and sombre, and the plan he outlined is cautious and on point. With hindsight, we know the consequences of this laissez-faire approach, as a deadly second wave led to a brutal winter lockdown and families separated over the festive season. Last September, we heard a more euphoric Boris Johnson declaring normality by Christmas. ![]()
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