Covid fatigue factor a cloud over horizon of hope

Boris Johnson’s decision last week to delay relaxing Covid-19 restrictions continued Britain’s struggle to contain the virus.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson this month. Picture: Getty images

Boris Johnson’s decision last week to delay relaxing Covid-19 restrictions continued Britain’s struggle to contain the virus.

Extended hard lockdowns, pockets of resistance in some communities to the vaccine, haphazard enforcement of restrictions and people scarred by deaths, infections and long-lasting effects of the virus are a true reflection of a country crippled by Covid-19.

In the lead-up to Johnson’s G7 summit in Cornwall, infections, deaths and hospitalisations began rising, despite the relative success of the vaccine rollout, and were projected to keep rising unless restrictions were kept in place for longer.

Britons are Covid-fatigued. The NHS-run vaccine program, implemented under emergency settings amid massive spikes in infections and deaths, has delivered more than 42 million first doses. But even with this high vaccination rate, the country is now dealing with the Delta variant of the virus, first detected in India. Cases of younger people who haven’t yet been fully vaccinated are spiking.

Despite Anthony Albanese and Labor MPs using Britain as a gold standard on vaccine delivery, they conveniently avoid mentioning the UK had no other option but to succeed.

England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, recently warned Covid-19 “has not thrown its last surprise at us and there will be several more over the next period”. New variants will emerge as the world begins to open up.

On the ground in Britain, some restaurants, cafes and pubs are getting people to physically sign in and are not checking or using QR codes. In one pub, an altercation broke out over mask wearing. On the vaccine, just as will occur in Australia, some aren’t sold. A bus driver told The Australian it “might sound selfish but I won’t be rushing to get the jab”.

On the other side of the Channel, French police enforce an 11pm Covid-19 curfew. But in Paris, people went out earlier to crowd into bars and restaurants without masks.

Every country is working out their best response to Covid-19. Some are better than others. The nature of the virus, and the fact it will be with us for years to come, has forced even the best plans to be adapted as the goalposts shift.

As an island nation, Australia moved early to shut its international borders and remain relatively untouched by the virus. This is not a permanent fix.

At some stage, Australia will need to open up to fix workforce issues triggered by a migration freeze, bring tourists back and get international students into the country.

Given the political success of state leaders who have adopted tough border measures, you would expect that to occur in a staged process following the next federal election.

Whether it’s a Coalition or Labor government, both will adopt cautious approaches knowing the economic and health consequences of moving too quickly.