COVID-19 infection rates in China, New Zealand and South Korea are dropping to low levels per million. Those in the New World, both north and south, are much higher and rising. The UK as a whole, which has a much better health service, is also performing badly.

UK citizens should view with great cynicism the British government’s enthusiasm for opening pubs and clubs, malls and restaurants and giving new routes for the illness to spread.

READ MORE: No 10 changes mask rules after Michael Gove spotted without one

It is worrying to imagine that the belief in herd immunity has not quite disappeared in Westminster even though this outcome would need an 70% infection rate. We have seen the old, sick, disadvantaged and minority groups being most at risk while the Treasury supports big business, its essential workers and thus the owners of these enterprises. Even the Home Office’s treatment of foreign care workers fits with this analysis.

The season is approaching for flu and common colds to become prevalent. We do not know if Covid-19 is like one or other of these. Does infection give long-term immunity or does it allow a victim to become a hidden source? Does it just give short-term immunity or come in waves like some colds?

East, west; hame’s best.

Iain WD Forde
Scotlandwell