A nightmare that never seems to end

The new normal it was called and we were told we had better get used to it.

As the horror of the death toll receded, as more of us came out of our homes after lockdown and the world started opening up, we thought things would getting better.

We were still careful, Covid-19 had not gone away, yet we started to look forward.

Seeing friends and family again, going to the shops, even going out for a meal, getting to return to the pub and going back to the gym.

We accepted that concerts, football matches and weddings were a long way off. Some of us holidayed at home and those of us that were a bit braver booked a flight abroad.

We told ourselves it would be better.... by October, November, December. Next year?

Then came the spikes in cases. Some people enjoyed house parties and flouted the rules. So then came the local lockdowns.

Today, one of Europe’s leading scientists, who led a study on how Covid-19 spreads between households, warned the killer bug will impact on our lives for another three years.

Three years.

Professor Hendrik Streeck has said spikes such as those seen in Scotland in recent weeks are inevitable for the foreseeable future – and said the public should get used to it.

The leading German virologist has said hopes of a vaccine are not guaranteed and people must prepare to alter their everyday lives over a long term.

He knows what he is talking about. Professor Streeck helped lead the response to the pandemic in Heinsberg, one of the worst-hit districts of Germany.

He and his team used the town of Gangelt to study the virus to learn how it spreads and how it can be contained.

Prof Streeck said: “This virus is not disappearing. It will still be here in three years and we have to find a way to live with it.”

Just when you thought things could not get worse.