Tim,
the question is how many of the 98,000 were premature deaths, people who would have died of something anyway over the next couple of years. It will be interesting to see if the overall death rate falls below the expected norm next winter.
Some of the excess deaths were down to the NHS failing to treat people with other issues, cancer, heart strokes and so on. We will never know.
I totally agree with you that improved personal hygiene is no bad thing and wearing masks in crowded places next winter is sensible. I've seen some suggestions that there is a "Flu Bomb" waiting as due to COVID and the reduction in Flu this winter they have no idea what strain mix to supply next winter.
Tim, I'm getting worried...we are agreeing with each other more than usual... COVID mellowing??
