Bill Harvey: The rhythm of life

Today, as I write this on Tuesday, the Prime Minister is expected to announce major steps in the easing of lockdown. Over the next few weeks, it is expected that most facilities, including cinemas, galleries and museums, will reopen. With eye care practices in England and Wales already in the amber phase, we might expect Scotland and Northern Ireland to follow and, by August, see services returning to our high streets.

But I am sure we have all realised that what we are returning to is a new normal. We know that many countries which have already eased restrictions, from New Zealand and Australia to Iran, Singapore and Germany, have seen new outbreaks of the disease. We also know that, as travel restrictions are eased, the likelihood for the virus to cross borders will return. So, our new normal is one of PPE, sterilisation and separation for the foreseeable future. We will need to prioritise patients and resist the temptation to prioritise the commercial over the clinical need.