Yeah and that’s why we don’t lockdown for other diseases. If people can get it again straight away then there is no “herd immunity” so we can’t ‘corner’ the virus as hoped so you’d have 2 options; return to normal or quarantine until three is a vaccine. Lockdown measures could always be implemented as and when pressure on the NHS grows but there is no circumstance where a lockdown until a vaccine is available is the right option.
A lot of people could be in for a shock when it finally sinks in that the lockdowns - possibly not the last - are merely a buying time tactic and not the cure.
The virus has entered our population in the same way flu has, the only way to 'defeat' it now is to get it and beat it and vaccinate those who can't alone.
It will likely return in waves.
We need to adhere to the Governments instructions for every stage of the fight. If the World stayed at home 100% until the virus died out naturally, great. Impossible to coordinate and know for certain it happened. So we need antibodies and vaccines.
The Government is balancing health and economy. There will be many deaths. There will be financial hardship. It cannot deliver one or both unscathed.
If the healthcare services become overwhelmed, we lock down harder. If they just about cope, we lockdown to bolster their resources. If they are managing fine, we relax to social distancing while ensuring the economy is able to tick over, knowing this is building immunity while Healthcare deals with those who sadly struggle with the disease.
These measures will continue and if required, in cycles.
This is how I have interpreted the various strategies we have seen implemented and explained.