After Covid, is it time to ration overseas travel? – Helen Martin

People need to stick to the social distancing rules and get used to the idea that life may never be the same again, writes Helen Martin.

Be sure to keep your distance when out shpping or exercising (Picture: Michael Gillen)

IT’S extremely disturbing that UK airlines are still hoping to re-start in mid-June, about eight weeks away. Why does anyone think like that, in the knowledge that the UK is just about the worst state in Europe when it comes to dealing with Covid-19?

Right now, there are many people who don’t obey the current rules or consider other folk. I was standing in a shop queue when an old lady shuffled up behind me rather than standing on the footmarks two metres away. I asked her to stand back, and she swore at me. Perhaps she was demented. What did the guy behind the counter do? He sniggered.

Even some joggers are a problem. It’s good to exercise but in my neighbourhood they often zoom sharply round a corner rather than taking a wide turn to make sure they’re not going to crash into someone else.

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And with their headphones on they can’t hear other people – or cars – coming. Occasionally they are racing rather than jogging, so they spit!

I’m not just moaning about disobedient irritants. I get the feeling that many people believe impatiently that this is a temporary crisis and life will return to normal.

Some scientific experts have suggested this virus could mutate, or it could be followed by others because of climate change.

I hope they’re wrong. But in case, we need more global union to protect people and the planet.

We need more qualified, intelligent, societal politicians, not those based on party victory. Perhaps we need to focus on what we need rather than luxuries we dream of. And we probably need to ration overseas travel. I hope life will change.