Keeping some lockdown habits

As we appear to be coming out of the lockdown that so many have hated and found difficult, the big question is what will we learn from it?

Will the washing of hands be forgotten? It is interesting that this year although we have had the virus to deal with there has not been the usual incidents of flu across the country.

I suggest that it is because many more of us have been conscious of hand washing and that has been such a major part of the control of the spread. The use of soap and sanitiser ought to become second nature and continue forever.

Face masks. We as a nation have laughed at the Japanese and Chinese when we see images of them walking in towns and cities wearing face masks. If the wearing of a mask prevents even as little as 50 per cent of virus particles or cold viruses being passed on, then surely it makes sense to wear a mask when you have a cold?

Social distancing. Without having to step aside on the pavement it makes sense not to get too close to others if it is not necessary.

That is not to say that we shouldn’t enjoy each other’s company but if being a little more socially distant from each other prevents the spread of flu and colds, isn’t that worth it? Even after the pandemic passes, the virus will still be present and there will still be people who are and will remain extremely clinically vulnerable and despite everyone else being virus free will remain at higher risk of infection from coronavirus, flu and colds.

So, for their sake if not your own, taking the habits we have developed over the pandemic and making them part of our behaviour in the future will improve the health of the nation as a whole and reduce the number of lost working days because of preventable instances of the ‘normal’ winter round of colds and flu.

It will also have the knock-on effect of keeping pressure on the NHS as low as possible and that has to be good for all of us.

MIKE BEAL Kingsway,

Selsey