Altrincham and Sale MP Sir Graham Brady has said that the Government must account properly for the full cost of lockdowns, restrictions – and Covid-19 itself
Writing on the influential Conservative Home blog, the Chairman of the 1922 Backbench Committee said that the first lockdown was supposed to be a one-off, “an emergency intervention to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed during the acute stage of the crisis.“
According to Brady, we have to be honest about the fact that it will in all likelihood entail months of restrictions. And if a vaccine hasn’t arrived by the Spring – or if we haven’t got the necessary infrastructure to mass-manufacture and distribute a novel vaccine to the nation by then – this cycle will very likely extend into 2021 or even beyond.
He adds:
“ cost of lockdown extends far beyond the public accounts. Suicide rates are up. People are missing out on life-saving operations and essential care. Millions are struggling with their mental health as restrictions cut them off from friends, family, and other support networks. Domestic violence is on the rise as women are trapped at home with violent partners.
All the while young people, who are amongst those least at risk from Covid-19, are paying a huge price. School has been disrupted, formative moments and milestones missed, and now many are confined to their dormitories at university. Does anyone honestly think that this is sustainable for a year, or more? The ‘lockdown raves’ we saw this summer will be just the start.
