While a sizeable minority of people may become very seriously ill, some may even die, the majority will
have a mild to moderate illness. But there will be a wider impact on our society and how we live our lives
during a widespread epidemic.
In the event of widespread infection, the government has said its efforts will be focused on trying to delay
the impact on the NHS – to try and spread out the peak infection so the NHS has at least a chance of being
able to cope.
This would be done by through asking people to limit their social contact with each other, isolating
themselves and their family and limiting time in large gatherings. The government’s plan suggests as many
as a fifth of workers could be off sick during the worst weeks.
Schools may well close and laws could be changed to allow teachers to look after larger groups of pupils or
even for children and teachers to go to other schools. There is already debate around whether people should
stop shaking hands.
Pubs, restaurants and other sectors of the economy that depend on leisure spending could also be hit
heavily.
This period could last for around 12 weeks, so in that context many people will either find themselves
quarantined at home or at home looking after their children or relatives.
If lucky enough not to be directly affected we will all know people who are.
If things get very serious and the numbers infected and needing hospital treatment dramatically
increases, NHS operations will be cancelled and the health service could need to start ration treatment.
It is further evidence of how this previously unknown virus could transform our daily lives for weeks and
potentially months.
For now the advice is clear: at best you can try not to touch your face and cough into your elbow or hands to
prevent the spread of droplets and wash your hands regularly with soap. Soap really does help to combat the
virus as it breaks down the lipid cell barrier around it.
For most people the virus means suffering a cough and high temperature. In severe cases it can cause
shortness of breath. Anyone with concerns should call NHS 111.