From the Editor

摘要

As these words were being written, Britain was basking in its hottest days of the year so far, and dealing with consequences hitherto unimaginable in a pre-COVID-19 world. The combination of glorious summer weather and a seemingly widespread feeling that measures taken to stem the spread of the coronavirus had ceased to apply led to chaotic scenes on the beaches of Bournemouth in particular, a major local incident being declared, and a warning from the chief medical officer about the need to uphold social distancing. There was the feeling of the stable door being bolted long after the occupants had legged it. It remains to be seen whether occurrences like this, and the UK's more general easing of lockdown measures at a time when the virus remained in general circulation, will have consequences in terms of public health. But the mass, non-distanced coastal crowds came at a sensitive time, with organisations and businesses around the country preparing gradually to reopen - and the prospect of crowds being readmitted to public events.