So exactly what were those choices?

Do what was done and allow the NHS to seemingly just about cope, albeit under huge strain, a lack of resources and the losses of their staff?

Or not do it. Maybe just isolate the very vulnerable, allow the children to go to school and most working age people to continue to work and hope they observed social distancing, or worked from home? Not close the shops, pubs or restaurants? Allow people to travel freely? Attend football matches wearing masks?

The consequences of that would surely have seen the NHS overwhelmed, with even fewer staff than they have now, and the very real possibility that the whole system could have collapsed. The social unrest and fear that would follow such a scenario cannot be imagined. Nor could the economic impact, which is what those who advocate a different approach seem most concerned about.

The actual scale of the economic impact can now only be guessed at. It may be a depression but not necessarily. It is not anyway in our hands alone. If our markets decline then so do we. If we conquer this as quickly as possible and then take the same kind of decisive action we did once we decided on the "lockdown" then we can recover. Not to where we were, because somethings are going to change for ever, but we can recover. It could even be better.

Those of working age may have to work harder and longer than before and either be paid less or taxed more. Probably both. Those retired will see their pensions frozen or even cut. We will all have to adjust our life styles as a consequence. But we will still have life styles to enjoy. And that's the point.

Some things are much more important than money and the most important of all is life and the love of your family and friends.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

Good post. Reckon those who advocate an alternative approach would soon change their tune if a parent or loved one died from it because they had needlessly caught it if we didn't take the measures we are now.

Japan are getting worried now. Health system may be overwhelmed apparently. Do you think now the Olympics are cancelled we are seeing the truth. If japan gets totally wasted meterphorically then that would be us without lockdown.

We will be copying Europe and back to very soon. Apart from Germany. We’ll never those efficiently boring krauts. When they’ve tested their whole country we’ll be looking back at the date we thought we’d be testing 100,000 a day but could only manage 30,000.

COYP

The comparison has been made by far more qualified people than me.

But you carry on, don't worry your little self about it....just tell yourself what you wish to.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

It's self serving guff from the I'm alright jack types. Nobody with immune issues, or elderly, or vulnerable or looking after anyone in those categories thinks the lockdown was a bad idea. It has allowed us to build capacity and bought valuable time. We'll no doubt start transitioning out of it mid to late next month and that's a good balance I'd say.

The brushing under the carpet with what's going on in care homes is a travesty, no plan, no resources. There was effectively no lockdown period at alll for them and they paid a high price for it.