Commenting on news this week of the easing of Covid restrictions, Dr Susan Crossland, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said today (21 January):
“In light of the latest moves to ease Covid restrictions we are keen to reiterate the urgent care system remains hugely strained and will continue to be for some time.
“Although there is cautious optimism about Covid and staff sickness in the NHS seems to be reducing, comments from the health secretary about learning to live with Covid do make me uneasy at this point.
“We must continue to do all we can to protect those who are most at risk and we can do that with common sense and respect for others.
“What we must be extremely careful of at this delicate stage is prompting lax behaviour, so I would certainly still encourage regular hand washing, face masks and restricted social gatherings wherever possible.
“When there are still unknowns about the effects of easing restrictions and the possibilities of further variants of concern, taking a cautious approach must be the priority.”