Protecting the UK public against covid-19: what policy lessons can be learned from the experience of the Blitz?

The COVID-19 pandemic and the Second World War aerial bombing campaign against the UK both exposed the civilian population to a sustained threat. Risk, whether from exposure to viral load or the density of the bombing, led to a range of protective measures and behavioural regulations being implemented. Edgar Jones outlines key policy lessons from from the 1939-45 experience that may prove useful today.