Should pubs close so schools can reopen?

While I have every sympathy with bowling alleys, beauticians and the like who are now wondering if they will ever make ends meet again (if you see a pun in that, it’s intentional – I think...), the things that have really hurt in those places where aspects of lockdown have returned have all had to do with meeting other people.

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Families who have been separated by distance and for whom Zoom is not enough; celebrations with friends of life events or religious festivals; meals out with friends and acquaintances who like to meet up from time to time – all of these are threatened if lockdown returns and they matter enormously to most people.

Singing and performance arts are still in the balance. The results of the various investigations into transmission of aerosol and droplets (and whether they actually are efficient carriers of viruses or not) have been a long time coming.

You may think that I care about these things because they affect the church, and you would be right. But not entirely. As a musician, and a life-long choral singer, I know how much good music does for those taking part and those listening.

We could also ask questions about the reduced usage of essential health services during the lockdown.

The unaccustomed quietness of A&E departments was not only due to the lack of opportunities for drunken brawling – it was because for the most part people attended only when it was absolutely necessary.

Whatever the next months bring, and however hard the consequences of an ‘uptick’ in the transmission of Covid-19, will the lessons learned be long-term ones?

The experience of wartime both at home and in battle led people in this country to vote for the universal healthcare that has shown its priceless value in our time of need.

Such human values and priorities come at a cost. When faced with the choice between the education of our children and the availability of pubs and other hospitality, what should the answer be? I know what mine would be – but the lonely might with good reason ask: what about me? Those whose livelihoods are in the hospitality business might with good reason ask: what about me? It isn’t so easy, is it?

Let’s hope that with careful consideration for others, and maintaining the hygiene and distancing that is our only truly effective defence against viral transmission, we can keep the situation sufficiently undercontrol so that such hard choices won’t become necessary.

Keep safe and keep well.

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