OK - it is weird how the words from some about things getting back to something approaching normal September/October time have been erased from memory. Yes there were warnings from scientists and medics about a second wave - but my point was that words from some of significant influence were more positive. And all that I am saying is that some very difficult decisions many businesses and individuals were faced with making were put off in the hope that the positive words would come to pass - the alternative being too difficult and depressing to accept. And they have not come to pass. And the very difficult decisions are now having to be made.
A bit like the words we might have received about other significant happenings? But c'mon Hugh, you're intelligent. Most flu's have 4 winters(ripples/waves), a winter in one hemisphere, then off to a winter in the other hemisphere and then repeat. Covid was predicted, originally, to have up to 6 ripples. We've seen the first wave in the northern hemisphere. The second wave is currently enjoying itself down south, and the third wave looks like its starting in the northern hemisphere.
There's a fair bit being mitigated by the restrictions we've seen. Unfortunately, some people think what has been done has failed. No it hasn't, its achieved what it could based on how limited the restrictions have been and how many idiots have ignored them.
Anyone who's thought otherwise or expected better is deluded.
Here in our corner southern Spain the numbers have dropped dramatically, even though Spain's numbers are rocketing. Why? The tourists/northern Spaniards have gone home. The locals are almost anal in their respecting of the rules, unlike up north. Go figure...