Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE HUGS DON’T WORK
» Most people say embracing to say hi is over » Face masks will continue to be widely used
SIX in 10 people say they will no longer shake hands or greet loved ones with a kiss and a hug even AFTER the pandemic is over.
The same proportion plan to keep on wearing masks in public places and on crowded transport such as planes.
A similar amount will also continue using sanitiser and washing their hands frequently – while 53% reckon working from home is here to stay.
The Institute of Directors agrees, saying 75% of companies will allow some permanent remote working.
The picture of post-Covid life comes in an exclusive Redfield & Wilton Strategies poll for the Sunday Mirror.
One in three of the 1,700 adults polled on February 3 plan to be kinder to other people – rising to 45% in the 18-24 age group – while 23% say they will video-call friends rather than visit.
Only one in 10 think vaccination will eradicate Covid for good.
Far more, 78%, think it will return annually but be a manageable problem, like flu.
And 63% believe Health Secretary Matt Hancock is right to prioritise older people for vaccinations, because they are the most at risk from coronavirus.
Asked about the economy, 36% are hopeful it will rebound – echoing Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey’s optimism that the vaccine will be a game-changer for business. He said of the jab programme: “We do think it is going to support a sustained recovery throughout the rest of the year.” But Helen Dickinson, of the British Retail Consortium, said shops were still in need of urgent support from the Government. She added: “Retailers are struggling to survive. The Government must act decisively.”
In a thin silver lining to the crisis, GP figures show anti-Covid measure are curbing other illnesses as well.
Colds are running at a quarter of the five-year average, while cases of flu are at one twentieth of the usual level.
The Royal College of GPs said: “Overall presentations of respiratory diseases remain below seasonal levels.”
Vomiting illnesses, strep throat and inner-ear infections are also down.