1.6 #Covid19 in 🇱🇧, an update: In the past week, record numbers of new daily cases were reported. Covid has now spread all over 🇱🇧( see graph). Hospitalizations are still within capacity, but they, and deaths, usually rise following a lag period. Clearly, new measures are needed. 
2.6 The scientific committee at @mophleb recommended a total lockdown for 2 weeks. As the sharp rise in cases was not confined to one region, a lockdown could help to regain control or to prevent cases from overwhelming the hospitals. The recommendation was not endorsed.
3.6 The resistance to the lockdown was lead by the business sectors, already suffering from the effects of the financial meltdown. The security forces also felt the public, already restless, would not respond well to the measure. The previous lockdown had not ended well either.
4.6 The alternative to lockdown was a list of recommendations aimed at public compliance, hospital capacity, testing and tracing, etc. In short, it was a repeat of old recommendations with an emphasis on implementation. Why would the same approach lead to a different outcome?
5.6 Maybe the high Covid numbers would be shocking enough to illicit a reaction, or the rise in deaths would strike fear in the hearts of many. Yet, people have been through so much lately that they no longer can be shocked. Covid has become just another calamity in a new normal.
6.6 So the fight against Covid continues as before, but is not going well. This is unfortunate. Covid does not respect wealth, sect, or geography. It can be a unifying enemy for a divided community. Winning against Covid can bring people together. We should all think about that.
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