Let the coronavirus spread among young people? It’s not a good idea

By Jessica Hamzelou

People partying in London on 12 September

Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/PA Images

Coronavirus cases are rising again across the UK. Without urgent action, they could reach 50,000 per day by mid-October, health officials have warned. Many scientists are now calling for further measures, such as a short-term national lockdown to limit the virus’s spread. But others point out that restrictions cause their own harms, including impacts on other health services, economic hardship and a significant toll on mental health.

Thousands of people attended a London protest last weekend against lockdown and related measures. Similar protests have taken place around the …