What It'll Take To Live With Covid-19

The ‘new normal’ explained

- Claire O’boyle

As we count down to the new Freedom Day on July 19 it’s becoming clear that will not mean life returns to normal.

Experts have reportedly told the Government working from home and wearing masks may need to carry on and harsher restrictions come winter might be needed.

So, as ministers consider a range of proposals, which changes are here to stay? And what will living with Covid mean long term?

Daniel Davis, Professor of immunology at the University of Manchester and author of The Secret Body, tackles some of the big questions...

Will we be facing tougher restrictions over winter?

Scientific experts are concerned about a possible spike in cases as the temperature drops and we all spend more time indoors, where the virus is more transmissible.

Combined with a possible flu epidemic this could be a disaster.

And reports say some experts are lobbying for tougher measures in the winter amid concerns over the ability of the NHS to cope.

“Many health situations are seasonal and there are parts of the year that are more difficult than others,” Prof Davis says.

“Perhaps the best advice is to be braced for the unexpected.

“Lots of health situations are like rollercoasters and you have to be prepared for changes.”

Can we expect things to return to pre-pandemic normality any time soon?

We might have high hopes for the end of Covid restrictions, but things are far from straightforward for later in the year.

Prof Davis says: “It’s difficult to give black and white answers or a clear time frame because there are still lots of unknowns.