It does seem to be time to move away from the 'force-of-law' approach to one driven by individuals' sense of self-preservation. There is no longer a need to lock people down by threat of a fine if they are seen out in public. At the outset we knew little about C-19, but now we know a great deal. We know that there are specific groups who are highly vulnerable to it, and a large majority of others for whom it is either a minor short-term inconvenience or even passes completely unnoticed.
Those over 80 years of age and individuals with serious co-morbidities are the groups who must exercise extreme caution. But we know who these people are. Most vulnerable are those in the care home system, those in hospitals, and impaired elderly who require frequent assistance from home-helps to function. We must prioritise keeping their environments as secure and safe as possible. Beyond these lie many independent individuals who are nevertheless in the vulnerable groups. But these folks know who they are and are aware of their own risk. They don't need to be threatened with fines and police visits: simply provide them with high quality information on the prevailing risk level in their area and allow them to exercise their own good judgment. Maintain a voluntary registry of those within the vulnerable categories who have no means of obtaining their own shopping / prescriptions etc., and make sure assistance is maintained for them. We know that this crisis has brought out the best in many volunteers who have been more than pleased to help such people.
Beyond these groups, the rest of society. It is time to let them go about their lives and get back to earning a living / education / socialising. Maintain strict numerical limits and safety precautions on visits to hospitals, hospices and care homes. But free-up visits to restaurants, pubs, public spaces. And open up travel both domestically and between countries with comparatively low levels of transmission risk. Sensible measures such as handwashing stations and mask use aboard public transport stay in place until after a successful vaccination programme or the eradication of C-19. Social distancing must be phased out, as the point comes beyond which prohibiting natural human interaction becomes more harmful than the very modest increase in C-19 infection risk. We must keep in mind too the enormous damage which the C-19 'climate of fear' has done to many within our society. Depression, suicides, domestic abuse. Not seeking treatment or medical advice for other very serious conditions. Poverty issues driven by rising debts, loss of income and the extraordinary stress deriving from this.
It is arguably selfish for a small number of people who are entirely free to choose to self-isolate at their own discretion, to insist that the rest of society must halt their lives and see their careers ended to assuage fear in a few. We must not become a nation of cowering whipped dogs, afraid to venture from our safe space for ever more. I am personally aware of two generally healthy people who have been so terrified by all this that it will be difficult to persuade them to leave their homes ever again. Some contributors on this thread may themselves be familiar with this mindset.
Life isn't risk-free. But it never has been. And if we insist on waiting till the day 100% safety is guaranteed we will all die within our own four walls. Probably alone in many cases. We've all done our bit to help society weather the high-risk period of the first C-19 surge. We remain keen to help those in groups who are vulnerable. But the time has come to move forward. Kids must be allowed to be kids again and to physically interact with their peers. We must not teach them that holding hands with their friends will send them to an early grave. We must not tell them that they can only make new friends by yelling at them from a distance of not less than six feet away. This is quite mad and risks seeding damaging phobias which can persist into adulthood. Students and those of working age must be allowed to return to their studies and careers without further impairment. Not to do this brings enormous medical and societal challenges of a different kind.
And, for mental health, it is time to legalise having fun again. Take a holiday (if you can still afford it). Eat out. Meet new friends. Experience new places. FLY ON PLANES!!! And remember how to enjoy life again. And bear in mind as you do so that you are helping to enable thousands of travel and hospitality workers to provide for their families once again. That's healthy!
On a personal note, I did dummy bookings on all sixteen of my remaining flight sectors last night. Eight still look good to go. The other eight look like goners ... I shall await the official bad news from the airlines concerned in due course. The main reason I want early confirmation is so I can book replacement trips over the blocked-off dates. I've got a stash of vouchers to redeploy! Yes, I'm taking some measured risk by travelling. "Reassuring" ads from airports showing rows of taped-off seating and extremely long 'social distanced' security lanes isn't good news for my dodgy knee. But I'm keen to give it a go anyway. Locking oneself away indefinitely isn't healthy for sure!
If you are professionals in gainful employment - as many on here are - get yourselves a good holiday booked once again! Something positive to look forward to. Break out from the cycle of fear.