Bringing It All Back Home For Christmas?

 

SAGE has made the not so surprising observation that, the circa 1 million University students returning home at Christmas, could 'seed' a widespread outbreak of Covid-19 in the UK at that time of the year (https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/sep/05/students-returning-at-christmas-could-seed-new-coronavirus-outbreaks-scientists-warn). Universities are trying hard to curtail viral transmission by social spacing, hand washing, use of outdoor facilities et cetera but there will, inevitably, be more contacts (in teaching situations, student accommodation, travel situations and in recreational activities).  These will facilitate potential infections. SAGE have also noted that most students are also of an age, when infected individuals are often asymptomatic (so it would not be obvious that they were carrying the infection). I suspect that the vast majority of students will not be returning to family estates with the odd, unoccupied cottage in which they could self-isolate. I also fear that self-isolation will be the last thing on their minds on this occasion. Most will be keen to meet up with family and friends that they haven't seen for several weeks. Some might even hope to return to seasonal jobs to help fund their university studies. Inevitably, that will result in winter (a time of year where people are most likely to congregate indoors) contacts with folk in vulnerable categories. And all this is likely to be concurrent with the annual outbreaks of colds and influenza (already a difficult time for GPs and hospitals). It is difficult to know how to mitigate these effects. I still have little confidence in the UK's test and trace system (is it really likely to be 'world beating' by December?). What can one do, even if students are identified as carrying the virus? There doesn't appear to be any plan for local accommodation (over the entire UK?) in which students could self-isolate (presumably most will be out of their university residences and the family home in their only option).