>>not ever going out again doesn't seem like the right decision,
That's where our minds are, for similar reasons starting with the fact that it could be around for years without a cure or vaccine.
I don't think it is inevitable that we will get it if we resume reasonably normal activities, in the same way that I haven't had proper flu for over 50 years.
Clearly overwhelming the NHS would be a bad idea but that should become easier to manage for all sorts of reasons including the rather gruesome fact that the reservoir of those most susceptible to a serious dose diminishes, even though there is a continuous inflow. Targeted mask wearing e.g on public transport, a new general level and culture of hygiene measures, and other 'organisational' changes could go a long way to mitigating the rate of infection without an actual lockdown and isolation regime.
We had a 'normal' visit to the grandchildren (3 & 5 year old girls) and their parents yesterday. Clearly that put us at some risk but it's one we decided to take, by agreement with the parents.
It's fatuous to say "I could be run over by a bus tomorrow" but equally people don't always consider the overall context of the risks they live with and never stop to think about. At around 70, everybody has a material risk of something fatal occurring. It seems likely that the COVID-19 case fatality risk for someone of my and my wife's age is less than 5% (it's around 5% from confirmed cases so could be much less with undiagnosed or silent infections). 5% isn't far off the risk of dying every year from all causes at our age. So at worst, and assuming we catch it, we double our death risk in that year from a normal risk that we never give a thought to.
So why not sensible precautions, and subject to those and what is permitted, everyone does most of what they want? Mitigate with supermarket deliveries or click and collect. Enforce mask-wearing on public transport to limit to keep the rate of infection at a manageable level. Ban vertical drinking at the bar in pubs, which mixes people up - those at tables are much more 'bubbled'. I have far too much to do just now but I'm tempted to write a COVID-19 manifesto along these lines and see what friends and family think.
Last edited by: Manatee on Sun 12 Jul 20 at 13:06
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