"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

That famous quote was what has sprung to my mind these last few days as Covid cases hit a six week high.

That is of course due to the more transmissible Indian variant, no doubt spreading after the easing of lockdown restrictions.

It is true that we are in a different position than, for example, a year ago with the number of people vaccinated.

But that doesn't mean we are not risking a fourth lockdown right now.

The key word has always been caution, which government decision making has been lacking throughout this pandemic.

The idea of ending all lockdown restrictions and scrapping social distancing on June 21 was always ambitious.

You now have to assume the government will be forced to push back that date.

It makes sense. It gives more time for adults to be vaccinated, it allows the virus not to spread.

Undoubtedly it is painful, for example for nightclubs desperate to reopen, but better to act now than to suffer another lockdown.