Society's vulnerability to future health crises remains

Five years ago, Boris Johnson urged the UK to lockdown, saying, "Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives." Most people followed these rules, believing sacrifices were needed to protect the nation. However, many in power did not follow the same rules, leading to public distrust. In the aftermath of the pandemic, there were expectations for positive changes. People hoped society would be more caring and supportive towards the vulnerable and frontline workers. While some small changes occurred, such as less handshaking and more remote work, major hopes for improvement have not been realized. Food bank usage is still high, and healthcare funding remains lacking, with a low number of hospital beds compared to other European countries. The political landscape has not improved either. Many feel a growing cynicism towards politicians who failed to act ethically during the pandemic. There are concerns about whether people would obey strict rules again, especially after witnessing the disregard from some leaders. The public’s trust in authority has weakened, raising questions about compliance in future crises. Additionally, the rise of conspiracy theories poses a challenge. A survey showed that nearly a quarter of UK adults believed Covid was a hoax. Misinformation about the virus's origins has fueled skepticism. Given this context, it is likely that if another health crisis were to emerge, people would be less willing to follow government orders. The lessons learned from Covid could ultimately lead to a more divided response to future threats.