The term ‘textbook’ should not be comforting. Textbooks tell us we can expect SARS-CoV-2 to have a detrimental impact on human health and life expectancy if it is allowed to continue to spread and reinfect the population.

Some people wave away concerns about the long-term effects of COVID-19 by saying, “if it was really bad, the government would take steps to protect people.”

The failure to recognise the ongoing severity of COVID-19 is creating a reality gap that is being filled by groups peddling misinformation.

Our editorial group is comprised of individuals who have an excellent track record of anticipating characteristics of the virus, the disease and the challenges it poses.