The 31st January is the 2nd anniversary of the Covid 19 virus appearing in the UK. I have to admit that I lost a year somewhere & didn't realise it was 2 years. In that time we have had several variants - Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta & Omicron. The virus is playing cat & mouse with us & has morphed from a pandemic to a worldwide endemic disease.
Populations have gone from drastic Lockdown measures, particularly for more vulnerable people who had to shield because they are more prone to serious symptoms & outcomes, to attempts at a more normalised life. 173,248 people died in the UK up to the 24th December 2021 with Covid on the death certificate. Total UK deaths in 2019 = 604,707. Total UK deaths in 2020 = 689,629.
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/deaths
Covid has affected every aspect of everyone's life, work, leisure, home, education, health...It has also impacted every aspect of the world economy, business, supply chains & availability of goods, transport & communication, financial structures, politics....None of us who had not experienced SARS which emerged in China in 2003 & spread to 29 countries were prepared. MERS jumped from animals to humans in the Middle East in 2012. Both are Corona viruses.
We do not know what 2022 will bring. There does seem to be agreement that this will not be the last pandemic. We need to be better prepared for the next than we were for this one. Governments & Politicians varied hugely in how well they dealt with the decision making & control of Covid. The Lowy Institute has an interesting performance index on their website. Europe & America did worst. The Middle East / Africa & Asia / Pacific did best.
https://interactives.lowyinstitute.org/features/covid-performance/
The scientific response to Covid 19 has been exceptional. I'm very grateful that I have been fully vaccinated & boosted in the UK. The response of the NHS, Carers, Teachers & many others has kept everyone going. The volunteer co-operatives who have supported thousands of people truly restore faith in human nature. The vast majority of people have complied with guidelines to keep others safe.
We have shown what we individually can do. It is a personal choice whether to behave well. We do all have rights. But alongside that there are responsibilities to others.
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