As I’ve said before I think compliance in the U.K. is variable depending on location. London has been much less willing to conform to the rules since the beginning. I am very much on the side of caution but have just checked the death rates for today.
The U.K., with a population of 67,215,293 (2020) has had an average of 136 deaths per day over the last seven days.
The USA, with a population of 329,484,123 (2020) has had an average of 1,682 deaths per day over the last seven days.
Whilst every death should be mourned and every opportunity taken to avoid it we, in the U.K. appear to be faring much better than the USA.
Our population is roughly 1/5 of yours but allowing for the population difference our average deaths would be 680, 1000 less than the USA per day.
So whilst we are correctly being encouraged/reminded to wear masks, work from home where possible, get the boosters when summoned and to inoculate the teenagers as quickly as possible the death rate is, at least for the moment, not increasing in line with cases and hasn’t shown a massive increase since lock down was lifted.
I am definitely concerned by the increase in cases and hospitalisations and am ultra cautious, my husband is immunocompromised, but don’t feel it is necessary to reintroduce strict lockdown at this moment in time. If the death rate increases more quickly then I would support the reintroduction 100%. The difficulty is finding the appropriate time, too early and people will be resentful and less willing to follow instructions, too late and people needlessly lose their lives. As I’ve said many times l am grateful I don’t have to make that judgment call. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t is the phrase that comes to mind.
Let’s hope we can all stay safe!
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