CORONAVIRUS Q&A
Carpe Jugulum, via website
Q Is it time for only vulnerable groups to be isolated?
A The case numbers have gone down because of the lockdown. The original modelling was largely based on allowing the virus to sweep through the population.
Although the virus is disproportionately impacting the elderly and vulnerable, it is killing younger people too, so it’s probably better to keep everyone inside until case numbers are far lower.
Charlotte Reilly, via website
Q Will the current lockdown be over in a month?
A If we follow what China has done, we could expect restrictions to end around a month after the epidemic peaks.
The Government is expecting that in the next week or so, so probably six weeks from now is looking like a likely exit date. But that would change if the trajectory of the epidemic alters.
John Crone, via email
Q Will we need masks after lockdown? A There doesn’t seem to be much evidence that masks prevent people becoming infected, although it does seem they stop infected people spreading the disease further.
I think by the time lockdown is removed – which could be later for the most vulnerable – the virus will have hugely diminished in the community and the risk of infection will be low.
So as long as you keep up your good hygiene practices, and social distancing, I don’t think a mask will be necessary. It’s worth noting that there is no evidence yet that coronavirus has ever been transmitted outdoors, but lots of evidence of indoor transmission.
Mitch Klattle, via email
Q Is the situation getting much better now that we’re under lockdown?
A Yes, it appears to be – although it is early days. The number of new admissions to hospital is falling and that will mean death rates should also begin to fall soon.
We’re expecting a death rate peak at around Easter Sunday or a few days later. If we follow how China progressed after that, we should start to see rapid declines and could be thinking about an exit strategy sometime around mid-may.
Susan Killion, via email
Q Why are some nations, such as America, struggling with testing?
A I think a lot of countries are struggling with ramping up testing because of a lack of material needed for testing. The tests require two enzymes, which are usually only produced on a small scale. Normally, demand is steady and relatively low, so scaling up to the massive quantities of global demand takes time.
In addition, quality control checks must be carried out to minimise the risk of false positive/negatives. A bad test is worse than no test at all as it might allow someone into the community who is infected. Governments have also struggled to get hold of the swabs needed for the tests as huge numbers are produced in Lombardy, Italy, which is currently locked down. But yes, testing is crucial, and it’s vital countries get hold of more tests.
Monday to Friday, experts are answering your questions about the coronavirus crisis at telegraph.co.uk. Send your questions on advice for the self-employed and how they can get help to The Telegraph’s personal finance reporter Marianna Hunt by midday today to yourstory@telegraph.co.uk