Stepping into the Unknown

Some are calling it Freedom Day. Others are much more circumspect. The lifting of Covid restrictions on 19th July in England is, to a certain extent, an experiment. The UK has one of the best vaccination rates in the world and far fewer people are now dying from coronavirus. But it also has one of the fastest rising infection rates. The development of the vaccines so quickly was, undoubtedly, an extraordinary scientific feat. It did also lead some scientists to predict that we would be through this pandemic by now. So why hasn't that happened? And what do we know about the risks involved in lifting restrictions now?

Joining David Aaronovitch in the Briefing Room are: Azra Ghani, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College, London

Tom Chivers, Science journalist and author

Linda Bauld, Professor of public health at Edinburgh University

Thomas Hale, Associate Professor in Public Policy, University of Oxford Producers: John Murphy, Ben Carter and Kirsteen Knight

Studio Manager: Graham Puddifoot

Editor: Jasper Corbett