After almost a year of constantly being under some degree of restriction and three national lockdowns, the government has finally laid out a timeline for life returning to some semblance of the normal that we all knew before spring of 2020. But is it actually feasible? Will the pandemic be a (semi-)distant memory by the end of this year?
On the 22nd of February, the British people were, finally, given hope. Prime minister Boris Johnson gave a statement to parliament announcing a four-step plan to take the country out of lockdown. At the time of the announcement, 18 million people had now received their first dose of the vaccine and the most recent vaccine efficacy data was very encouraging which is why the government felt encouraged to produce this roadmap. Of course, it is not concrete and will be reviewed prior to each new phase starting.
Some have felt concern that this may be too soon and that cases will surge again whereas others are frustrated at how slow the roadmap is, for both the economy’s sake and their own mental health. However, Mr Johnson is opting for a more “cautious” approach but at the same time said that “we cannot persist indefinitely with restrictions that debilitate our economy, our physical and mental well-being, and the life-chances of our children” and he believed that we are on a “one-way road to freedom”. However, fresh concerns will have risen over the recent report that the Brazil variant that is considered “of concern” has arrived in the UK, although very little is known about it, in particular if the vaccines are effective against it and health officials have said more work will be needed to determine if that is the case.
The first stage, on the 8th of March has left many, in particular young people, optimistic as they will be able to reunite with friends after two months of what has felt like a very long term of virtual schooling. However, some also feel uncomfortable at the speed of these new changes. For example, Zak Farazi, a pupil at St Paul’s school and local resident, expressed his concerns. He said that he “believe[s] that reopening schools is a one-way ticket to a rise in cases” although he acknowledged that it is “essential for many students and the nation” and was excited that it “serves to put us steadily on track for normal life resuming by the end of the year”. Many share this sentiment and greatly anticipate school, and normal life, finally returning to normal.
Although we have been told multiple times before that we are at a turning point and normality will return, this time it feels more tangible and, with the vaccine, like we actually have a chance of perhaps a normal Christmas. However, if this virus has shown us one thing, it’s that it is unpredictable so maybe hold off on booking your summer holidays just yet!
