QUOTE "And as for "January 2020" - nobody then had a clue that Covid could spread so easily and asymptomatically*. So the idea you could impose tough restrictions then, against a disease nobody thought would be such a problem, ignores the very real issue that people will only accept restrictions on their lives if they can see there is a need for them."
Now that IS pure and blatant ridicule!
My husband and I were on holiday in Seville for new year 2020, where we heard on the news about virus issues in China and worrying pockets around the globe.
Then on our return we learned that a young lady had returned from her Uni year in China, to have xmas with parents, (resident on our complex,) and grandparents before going back to her uni halls of residence, and lectures. Her brother also returned by public transport to London for his apprenticeship place.
At the same time, hundreds of other University students had dispersed from China, going to their homes all over Europe, for the holidays.
At that point in the first few days of January it was apparent to me that the situation was highly dynamic, and that strict measures were necessary.
In February my husband tutored a child who had returned to school after a skiing trip to Italy, and one of his class + mother, had become ill with Covid virus symptoms.
Shortly afterwards an Italian video circulated exhorting Uk to be more vigilant and not to suffer in the same way Italy was suffering.
Strict measures were implemented in New Zealand (e.g.) but have not yet, been deemed necessary in Uk, where "herd immunity" was thought to have been a fine plan!
To date, 127,823 admitted covid related deaths in Uk, suggests our policy, thus far, has not been entirely successful.
BTW, Woohan imposed lockdown on 23rd January!