I'm hoping the vaccine will send us that way, sooner rather than later. There's been some positive news recently from those organisations who are creating vaccines - also just hope that UK has enough of them to go round to those who need it in the first instance and then longer-term thinking. No idea if Brexit will impact that?
The positive being if spikes are seen early enough, and local lockdowns are implemented quickly enough, it stops the spread going bigger. I think spikes are inevitable while the virus is still in circulation and if people continue to ignore social distancing. I must say I've been out for the past 2 weekends - Marlow and then Basingstoke/West London. For the places we've been to, social distancing has been maintained, people seem generally aware not to be part of crowds or less-socially-distanced queues or aisles in shops. We went to an Indian grocery shop and it surprised me how aware people were being about giving people space. I know it's only one shop but when it comes to Asian shops, you don't really expect it - most people (usually the older folk!) don't care for it and just want to do their thing. The other promising thing I saw was the mask-wearing. I genuinely don't recall seeing anyone without a mask while in a shop. They may have been wearing it the wrong-way round or below their nose (which is the dumbest thing sometimes!) but I'd rather that than nothing at all (they'll soon learn to wear it properly, I hope).
I can't say things have gone back to normal to be honest - for me it's still a bit weird and precautionary whenever I go out. There's a sense of checking everyone else around you and now always trying to find space so that you're not to close to an individual or group of people.