Vaccine. Passport. Test. Optimism.
Before you get excited please note the punctuation. This isn’t an opinion on the merits, or otherwise, of “vaccine passports” although it feels as though the UK government has put in place the building blocks which mean, if required, they could be manifested to avoid further ‘lockdowns’.
No today, on the eve of the next phase of unlocking the English economy (other UK nations to follow) I just wanted to share my optimism and enthusiasm for what lies ahead. With hindsight, it is possible to see we have had false dawns before but this feels very different.
The UK has, finally, got the sequencing correct. Our herculean vaccination efforts began just as we had started to slow down the infection trend line - pushing against an open door. By vaccinating as many people who were most at risk as quickly as possible (the 12-week interval between doses is now seen to have been both correct and inspired) we have been able to squash COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Likewise, the 5-week interview between opening up areas of society starting with educational settings has required patience but it has allowed us to avoid the increased risks of a full-throated return.
Over the last few days, the lights have burned brightly inside non-essential retail (which has been closed since just before Christmas) as they prepare to open their doors. Likewise bars are readying their outdoor spaces.
A close friend summed up the prevailing mood yesterday;
“It's forced a whole new level of dynamism and entrepreneurial thinking which, as yet, probably hasn't even begun to show itself.”
I wouldn’t argue with a word of that. The side hustles that have grown into fully formed businesses over the last 12 months, the new ventures which have taken over from those which have left the scene. It’s been and still will be turbulent but there are grounds for a lot of hope.
I’ll admit some of my enthusiasm is driven by the fact I got my first vaccination on Tuesday - finally, a benefit of being over 50, but that didn’t stop me ordering (and received within 24 hours) the free home lateral flow testing kits so I can make sure I’m doing my part to keep everyone else safe. All of these minor inconveniences are nothing if they help us move on and forward.
And the passport ? Well, the day after vaccination my new ‘jumbo’ passport arrived - jumbo to accommodate all of those EU arrival stamps - it felt like a good omen. No travel booked yet but planning has begun - all told there will be 18 months worth of it to catch up on.
Of course, the rest of the world needs to be in sync but we can start our endeavours at home - that becomes a little easier from tomorrow.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Izatt is a brand consultant living in London and founder of Mission Critical, a highly focused and curated weekly briefing for time-poor and information-hungry decision-makers.
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