Stay out of crowds - Covid loves crowds!

It is not long since the summer when we enjoyed a temporary reprieve from Covid-19 lockdown, writes Dr Paul Molloy.

However, perhaps we enjoyed ourselves a bit too much? Maybe we let our guard down prematurely?

For a period during late September and early October, the Derry and Donegal areas registered the highest numbers of new Covid cases in these islands. At one point, Derry had the highest numbers in the UK.

There does seem to be a fixation on government directions. Just because the government decides to relax the rules, it does not mean that Coronavirus obeys the rules and heads to Lanzarote for two or three weeks.

Just because you are allowed to do something doesn’t mean it’s safe.

The end is in sight - we will be distributing vaccinations in January and protection is just around the corner.

If you are making plans for Christmas, they should involve your ‘bubble’. You can’t just extend your bubble to suit whoever it is you are inviting around that night. It’s not about sticking to the rules as long as they suit.

I have said repeatedly, don’t fixate on what the government says - make sensible rules for yourself and stick to them. Stay in your bubble, wash your hands, wear your mask in public places and stay out of crowds. Covid loves a crowd.

If we disregard due care, people will die.

Paul Molloy is a general practitioner in Derry.