Good Covid habits are worth keeping

Hugs and handshakes, few masks and many paid little heed to social distancing.

Following the explosion of Covid-19 cases in January and subsequent two-month lockdown it is all a bit surreal.

After 24 days with no new cases islanders are bound to feel a sense of release and even confidence that the virus has been beaten back.

But as government scientist Chris Whitty reminded the UK yesterday, on the anniversary of its first lockdown: ‘This is not going away – we will have Covid for the indefinite future.’

The chances of the UK – and therefore these islands – eradicating SARS-CoV-2 are zero.

Based on what is happening in Continental Europe the UK fully expects a significant new wave of infections. The big question is whether that is accompanied by a similar rise in deaths or whether the vaccination programme has shielded the most vulnerable.

The Bailiwick cannot sidestep those issues entirely. As the borders are eased open the chances of another island outbreak will increase greatly.

The speed and extent of that outbreak – especially if it is again the more contagious Kent variant – will be determined by the continued good habits of the island community. Hand washing, social distance and mask wearing when appropriate will be key if the island is not to see the virus spread indiscriminately among those islanders yet to be vaccinated.

After so much clear thinking and success in dealing with the virus it would be foolish for the Bailiwick to dismiss the dangers of a fresh outbreak, regardless of the good work of Pfizer and AstraZeneca. There are still large numbers of under-60s who have no vaccine protection and may be more vulnerable than they imagine.

Once these early days of post-lockdown euphoria have levelled off islanders will each have to assess the risks that remain for them, their family, workmates and friends and how willing they are to continue taking sensible, simple, health precautions, at least until the first phases of the vaccine rollout are complete.