I know this isn’t technically day 1 but it is the day of the first reported case in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
It feels a little like we are coming out of a hiatus. Covid 19 Corona Virus has not seemed like a major problem. We have watched the events in China, Italy, Korea and Iran with disbelief. It did not seem real. It’s a disease that kills 1% – and they are the old and have underlying problems – not us.
Except that now it feels more real. It kills 1% but it puts 10% in intensive care. That could affect 6 million people in the UK. That’s when the numbers start to ring bells – we don’t have anywhere near enough beds. The Health Service has been underfunded and run down for a decade. That means a lot more people are going to die.
The other point is that we realise, by age and Liz’s asthma, we are in the vulnerable group. It makes it real. One feels one’s mortality. We are not going to live for ever.
The economic hit is going to be enormous. The workforce are going to be knocked out or in isolation.
Certain industries are already being affected – the whole travel industry, sport and entertainment.
We could be on shutdown for three months or longer!
Today they shut down sport and universities. Will it be schools tomorrow? Or concerts, all public events?
We are having a debate on how much we should isolate. Should we see family? Should we see friends? Should we still do our social events – writing group, yoga, fitness classes?
Then there’s post, shopping and neighbours.
Should we cancel family get togethers in May? Or wait?
At this moment, with just one case in the area (though a number undetected) perhaps it is a case of still doing it but taking care! Not too close to people and hand washing.
Or should we isolate completely?