[EnderMB]

It's hard to say, especially when you consider that the NHS has had its funding cut for years, and that even with a full lockdown it is likely to struggle even with a modest rise in patients over time.

This might sound dark, but as others have said, it feels like the government would rather see the country overwhelmed over a short amount of time, compared to a prolonged battle where their failures in healthcare will be highlighted.

I won't pretend to be a virologist, but one thing I will say is that it is wishful thinking to assume that the elderly are going to go into lockdown as the rest of the population builds an immunity. There is a level of arrogence and entitlement, mixed with regular doses of misinformation, that will ensure that the UK public will "keep calm and carry on" throughout this entire mess if there is no enforced lockdown.