{"id":2295,"date":"2021-11-10T14:30:20","date_gmt":"2021-11-10T14:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drbannonsblog.aprendo.co.uk\/drbannonsblog_wp\/?p=2295"},"modified":"2021-11-10T14:30:20","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T14:30:20","slug":"the-human-cost-of-plan-a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drbannonsblog.aprendo.co.uk\/drbannonsblog_wp\/2021\/11\/10\/the-human-cost-of-plan-a\/","title":{"rendered":"The Human cost of Plan A"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Plan A, which is essentially very little, has been playing out in the UK since late July. This posts looks at how well, or otherwise, we have done since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, since the Churchillian “Freedom Day” in the UK the plan was to be all getting back to normal and in many ways this has taken place. Schools are largely back, mass gatherings too; masks are far less in evidence and social distancing more or less non existent. Use of the NHS pass is limited and patchy. I have not got one as I never have a need to show it. Despite calls, pleas even from the health sector, the government has steadfastly rejected the case for Plan B and stick with Plan A. How has this played out?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I’m pressing on ahead!!!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A simple comparison came to me the other day when listening to doctors from the US and Rome discuss our way out of the pandemic. One big point came up: “What the hell are they doing in the UK?!” Let’s have a look at why this so exercised Susan Levenstein, author of the blog “Stethoscope on Rome<\/a>” and eminent covidologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s clear that comparing nations can be tricky – they all have so many differences and particular nuances as to why they may be doing more or less well, and up to now the pandemic has hit different nations at different times and with varying levels of preparedness. But as the Delta wave more or less synchronously crashed and crashes over Europe, comparisons are more reasonable. The excellent Our World in Data shows the effects of avoiding Plan B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The graph below show clearly that we are not doing well when it comes to hospital admissions when compared to other nations. In particular, I’m interested in the comparison of Italy (2nd from bottom) to the UK (2nd from top).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The dirty man of Europe – again<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In Italy, they have maintained social distancing, mask wearing and have instituted a Green Pass, the certificato verde<\/em>, which restricts entry to indoor and cultural events and travel to those who have been<\/p>\n\n\n\n