These Graphs Explain Britain’s Decision to ‘Live with the Virus’
The U.K.’s controversial plan shouldn’t be discarded as stupidity
For the third time since the pandemic began, the U.K. is betting against the rest of the world.
The first time brought catastrophic consequences. The U.K. flirted with the idea of herd immunity and delayed a decision to go into a full lockdown despite the world urging it to, a step that ended up costing the lives of thousands.
The second time was less of a failure. The U.K. was the first western country to start a Covid-19 vaccination campaign. It later decided to take yet another controversial step and was the first to extend the period of time between the two vaccine doses. This decision was criticized by many but later found to have at least some advantages.
Now, Britain has done it again. For the third time, it has become the so-called guinea pig that will either end up teaching the world what to do, or what to avoid.
Starting July 19, England will enter ‘phase 4’ of its Covid response roadmap, and will virtually end all compulsory restrictions. PM Boris Johnson declared an end to all Covid laws and called for the English people to act with “personal responsibility”.
