I agree with Charlie, I think there was a window of lower risk opportunity for the last ~6 weeks.
As for the statistics, far, far fewer people are dying now despite the infection rates being as high as ever, I listened to an Irish guy the other day who explained that at the start there was an excess of what he called "dry tinder" (nothing to do with the App) because 2019's flu season was very mild. In other words more people than typical who were closer to death and Covid-19 pushed them into. Even though we've seen a surge from ~10 deaths a day a few weeks ago to 37-40, that's nothing like the ~1,000/day we were seeing at peak.
Also even 40/day is still less than the ~100/day who die of lung cancer for example. So the scale of death is much less significant now.
Of course the very vulnerable are still vulnerable, however, most of those catching it during this second wave are the young who have milder symptoms (many are asymptomatic) and get over it far sooner. It should also be added that the NHS has learned to treat people more effectively with intubating and induced coma very much a last resort - now most patients are put on oxygen earlier, using those sleep apnoea masks and survival rates are much better. Fortunately our over zealous journalistic titans (for whom my respect has vastly diminished during Covid) haven't started on the NHS. The NHS is sacrosanct.
As expressed by Matt Hancock again yesterday, the biggest fear now might just be the college students bringing it home for Christmas putting their grandparents at risk.
From what I have gleaned from personal experience most of the SPs would probably be considered very low risk (of death) so I am not going to judge them for still working. We punters, as (mainly) older guys, are more at risk, however, that said, I personally don't fear Covid for me (I don't think I am golden or immune in any way, I just don't think I am at high or even medium risk of death from it). So for me the risk is more who I might pass it on to, directly or indirectly.
As per the OP's first question, I believe catching an STD (if you're careful/sensible) is pretty low, however, catching Covid (even without kissing) is very high (if she's infected of course). An STD would be worse in terms of explanations, however, Covid might actually turn out worse in terms of potential outcomes.
I made 4 visits in the "window", but now I'm uncertain about continuing for the time being.
BTW @CharlieHutton - punting boots!???
