The government has some explaining to do

• SINCE lockdown relaxation rules were announced, social distancing has all but gone up in smoke despite the recommenda­tion to maintain the two-metre rule.

The government needs to explain how “track and trace”will work now that people are head to head again on crowded tube and train platforms.

They also need to explain why there is to be no quarantine for people entering the country from France, effectively allowing international travellers to avoid the 14-day isolation period on their way to the UK. How does this circumvent a second wave?

Virologist Dr Chris Smith said on BBC News that “chil­dren are a risk to their parents”, are “virus factories” and “efficient spreaders”.

How can infection be contained when children, especially the youngest who cannot be expected to keep the two-metre rule, are back at school when their parents are back at work, and are likely to be in close contact with their grand­parents who are the most vulnerable?

The Sunday Times headline warning from scientists: “Corona­virus: 100,000 dead if UK eases lockdown too fast” is a chilling spectre in the light of the confidence the prime minister has in the public’s ability to act responsibly.

Perhaps so the public and not the government can take the blame if there is a second wave.

CLARA WEISS
NW3