We are all aware by now what a nasty virus Covid-19 is, that it has shown little or no mercy to the elderly or to people with serious underlying health concerns. However a report in today's Times suggests a little proportion and perspective is needed at this time.
In the UK, like most countries, citizens have been advised to maintain social distance and to stay at home. To effectively starve the virus of the ability to reproduce. But is staying at home really the safest option? As this table below from the Times indicates, dying following an incident within the home setting is nearly as common as fatalities due to Covid-19. Let's also not forget, the virus isn't by any stretch the highest cause of daily death in the UK; I'm sure the same will broadly by true of other countries.
Having said all this, it is each individual's duty to follow the instructions given and to look out for others. The reproduction R rate across this country is currently around 2. It needs to be controlled and brought back under 1, until such time as an effective vaccination program is available. Hand washing, social distancing, limiting contact with others and face coverings have to be the norm at least until Springtime.
To keep things in perspective, reproduced here is the table of daily UK fatalities from the Times.
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