Of course it worked!

It brought the infection levels down to the point where, combined with better weather and the ability to live more safely outdoors, the brakes could be released.

You have no idea what might have happened without it. You can only theorise.

Trying to balance the other consequences against the potential loss of life is exactly what the government is doing. With no perfect answer, criticism is cheap and easy, from every viewpoint, as is hindsight.

What our duty has to be is to support whatever decisions are taken, whatever cost that might bring to us personally. Only if we act collectively will we minimize the impact. This is not the time for selfishness or believing we know better.

A new national lockdown is coming. It's being flagged up by the media to prepare us, so get prepared.

It will work. It will cost too, but it will work. Just remember that all but a very few can manage with less, some of us with a lot less. We must protect the very vulnerable and then hunker down again. Be kind at home. Understand and forgive. Stay in touch with friends and family. Look out for your neighbours. And for those working in the NHS, like my own wife, give thanks for their fortitude and devotion to caring or us all.

Economies recover. Dead people don't.

Women aged 18-40 are being admitted to hospital in higher numbers than during the first wave. Let's leave it as is because non of us have any of those in the family.

Sorry ICU within the hospitals.
There is a reason the ages,sex and ethnic make up is held back unless they are old. Personally I think long covid is going to affect more younger people than the total deaths amongst them. I think that is what is trying to be stopped by these measures. That is going to cost a lot more in health and social care once it happens. Then it might be seen that draconian measures as is portrayed by some should have been implemented both longer and stricter. Hopefully most are past the control theories by now and understand it's about health both now and in the future.
Dead people cant pay tax.

Is that because they are all pregnant from the last lockdown?

Wisbech identifies some commendable human traits, such as perseverance, tolerance, taking care of others. This virus has brought out these traits in large numbers.
However, it has also highlighted the c u n t ish behaviour of the few, who won't wear masks, crowd into supermarket aisles with their children running around, and fundamentally put others lives at risk.

I have to take precautions, as I care for my vulnerable household, but however careful you are, there are always morons ready to invade your space, not take precautions and are ignorant of the risk to wider society they present by their behaviour,.."Because I'm alright"