I defer to the scientists here on this but it seems there are only two ways out of it:
1. A successful legal challenge to the lockdown and other restrictions on the basis of human rights, govt acting ultra vires etc. Simon Dolan has admirably pursued this, but to no avail.

2. A change in "the science" to the GBD approach. Not likely as SAGE is populated by the wrong people for that.

People like Hancock should remember the next time he feels like forcing his tiers or tears on us there is no vaccine for suicide, depression, loss of home, business, job, family and other human contact.

Well said coronation street..with you all the way..
👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

There's a more long term worry here - now they've decided lockdown is the "answer" they'll be far keener to use it more frequently going forward.

Virus mutates? Lockdown!
Next unknown pathogen appears? Lockdown!
Bad Flu season? Lockdown!
Normal winter NHS pressures? Lockdown!

That could be the most dangerous thing now - lockdown has become normalised and accepted so they're liable to do it all the time now.

Imagine if they'd locked down for Swine Flu, Bird Flu, Foot and Mouth and so on?

Even if we eliminate SARs2 as a threat, i strongly doubt we've seen the last of lockdowns as a first choice approach for handling anything.

I agree with the rollercoaster comment previously, bearing in mind there are 3 ways to stop a rollercoaster:
1. Placing a very large object (could be hard, like a block of concrete, or soft, like a sandpit) over the tracks. This will cause sudden deceleration, resulting in severe damage to the train, but the extent of wreckage and injury may be influenced by the nature of the barrier.
2. Deliberately applying controlled braking to the wheels of the train and/or rails. This will result in a reasonably safe stop in a fairly short time period, with perhaps a few minor injuries.
3. Not doing anything at all and allowing natural friction to eventually bring the train to a halt after many many loops of the track.

There seem to be various suggestions here (in covid terms) for how (2) might be achieved - in other words, measures that could be introduced to enable society to return to normal in a plausible and staged manner. Unfortunately I see absolutely zero evidence that any of the current incumbents in charge have either the desire or wisdom to achieve what would be quite a complex and difficult task. On the contrary, an increasing array of perverse incentives continue to evolve which take us further down the lockdown rabbit hole and away from what we previously called normality. In effect too many people are enjoying the lockdown 'ride', and/or seeking to avoid any jolt which applying the brakes would entail (be this from removal of economic protection measures, or temporary increases in pressure on the NHS). So I don't see any serious attempt at braking (i.e. dialling down the virus fear, reducing the severity of restrictions) being made.

This leaves options (1) and (3). My guess is actually option 3 will happen and there will be a gradual wearing away of restrictions as some are lifted and others are just ignored. Eventually the public will tire of virus news and the media will latch onto something which they decide is a bigger threat to society, and focus will switch to that. Unfortunately this will take a long time (probably years rather than months) and things will never return to exactly how they were - just as licencing rules about alcohol were never lifted after World War I.

The other risk is that (1) happens and that as a result of obsession with covid to the exclusion of everything else some unforeseen collapse occurs (economic or otherwise) resulting in a very hard landing with huge carnage in human terms. I am hoping this is unlikely but have to say am not totally confident in this respect.

I agree with the rollercoaster comment previously, bearing in mind there are 3 ways to stop a rollercoaster:
1. Placing a very large object (could be hard, like a block of concrete, or soft, like a sandpit) over the tracks. This will cause sudden deceleration, resulting in severe damage to the train, but the extent of wreckage and injury may be influenced by the nature of the barrier.
2. Deliberately applying controlled braking to the wheels of the train and/or rails. This will result in a reasonably safe stop in a fairly short time period, with perhaps a few minor injuries.
3. Not doing anything at all and allowing natural friction to eventually bring the train to a halt after many many loops of the track.

4. Pull-up or re-route the track ahead of it.

The government have a one-track mind. That needs addressing.