COVID-19: LOCKDOWN 3 COULD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FAR SHORTER

Schools in England are now going to be closed until at least half term at the end of February.  Children's education disrupted, especially those without the necessary technology for remote learning.  Let alone the pressure on parents when they are expected to be working.  Seven weeks before a formal reassessment.

Schools could have re-opened as soon on 18 January if, as suggested:

• A FireBreak had been started on Boxing Day, announced before Christmas when it was clear the growth in infections meant a 5-day relaxation of restrictions was not tenable. Before the graph rose further and made control harder.
  
• With everything except the absolutely vital being closed
• People self-isolating as much as possible.  Not just 'staying at home'
  

We know that if everybody was to self-isolate for a month, the virus would be eliminated.  That would also apply to the new variant.  Yet most of the effect is achieved in the first three weeks. 

Instead the new restrictions are too late and could have been tougher.  The result is now a longer drawn-out lockdown with more pain.  Face palm.