Lockdown Groundhog Day? Govt Denies ‘Firebreak’ October Lockdown

Boris' government has denied reports that it is drawing up plans for an October “firebreak” coronavirus lockdown if hospitalisations "continue to rise".

A senior government scientist and member of the influential Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) had told the i newspaper that the firebreak lockdown could coincide with schools’ half-term, which would be extended for two weeks from late October to early November, it what would be England’s fourth lockdown.

The source claimed that the measures were being drawn because the UK is about to enter an “extended peak” of infections, which could result in a rise of hospitalisations, overwhelming the NHS.

“This is essentially the precautionary break that Sage suggested last year,” the source told the newspaper on Monday. “It would be sensible to have contingency plans, and if a lockdown is required, to time it so that it has minimal economic and societal impact.”

The i also reports claims that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is planning to reintroduce mask-wearing on public transport and enclosed public spaces, as well as social distancing, this month.

What was the point of the vaccine if we could be locked down all over again? After all, if vaccines work, then we don't need another lockdown. And if they don't work, then they're not a vaccine in the first place, and so are also, not needed...