Following the Government's announcement of plans to ease the UK lockdown, beginning with schools reopening on 1 June, many are abuzz with thoughts of returning to work and the possibility of life beginning to return to normal. Points have been made about the ability of young children, particularly those at nursery age, to social distance, as well as the possible health-related dangers of this and actually sending children back to school, not least on the teachers involved. The threat of a second wave of the virus if lockdown is eased too early, as well as before a vaccine is found, is possible, with experts such as England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Witty claiming that another peak could be even deadlier than the first (Gulland, 2020). However, the threat of another peak can be prepared for by dealing with ongoing problems in the NHS, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages. Observing other countries around the world, for example, those in Scandinavia, it can be noted that the decrease in new cases and deaths can be used as a time to prepare for this possibility and, if a second wave does occur, it can be localised, and the danger minimised.
It seems increasingly likely that ‘normal’ is set to change dramatically as a result of COVID-19, not least how much of day-to-day life has been demonstrated to be able to be carried out online. Cambridge University announced plans for all learning to go digital until at least summer 2021 (PA Media, 2020), and working from home may become part of a new norm for companies and employees across the country. A new normal is likely to become the reality for many, as life post-COVID-19 seems like a distant dream and will change. The UK is set for a recession as a result of the economic impact of the pandemic (BBC News, 2020). It is a phrase that has been used again and again throughout the pandemic, but we truly are living in unprecedented times, and plans must be made and put in place where possible to keep all members of society safe and minimise risks. Our readers will undoubtedly be spinning several plates right now, with challenges to running businesses and caring for families, and many of you have joined the NHS frontline fight against the virus. Nonetheless, many are preparing for the gradual return to work, with numerous non-essential businesses making plans to reopen safely with social distancing measures in place, etc.
Aesthetic clinics are among these, with governing bodies such as the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses releasing guidelines regarding reopening clinics and returning to work safely (Bennett, 2020; JCCP, 2020). The guidance details how practitioners can safely reopen clinics and administer treatments with minimal risk to themselves, their staff and their patients, but highlight that these guidelines and reopening clinics should only be used and carried out in line with Government advice. More information on BACN's guidelines can be found on page 214 of this issue. As always, stay safe and stay connected.