It's time the Government got back to trusting our Common Sense
The economy, on the latest figures, is showing signs of a possible V shaped bounce but the recovery is fragile and the last thing needed is more restrictions. It's time for our leaders to start listening to the scientists, who are equally eminent to those on the SAGE group, who say we can relax and open up more in every area of life. Keith Hartrick argues it's time we got on with our lives using our common sense
What message are we sending to those who wish us harm in our reaction to the current Covid-19 virus?
The UK government seems to have lost its anchor in reality and is determined to create a Project fear about a virus that has so far killed 0.1% of the UK population. In the early days one could sympathise with the government in facing an unknown foe, unsure of how deadly it may be and with the scientists seeing only the gloomiest and most deadly outcome. Professor Fergusson of Imperial College forecast up to 500,000 deaths and panicked our leaders into a lockdown. But that was then and this is now.
The government's latest rule of six seems to have no basis in science and is hardly likely to encourage people to rush back to their offices, or use public transport, or simply to use their own common sense. We now know that the Covid-19 virus is far more dangerous for older people, with the over eighties being especially at a high risk. We now know that the chances of an under twelve year old catching it are absolutely minute, and even anyone under forty has only a very small risk. If younger people catch it appears to be far less serious and they are likely to recover. We now know that there are some drugs which help recovery, that ventilators are not the best treatment and that our NHS is not likely to be overwhelmed.
So is it science or stupidity that makes our government seem like the ever panicking L/Cpl Jones in Dad's Army? Their vision seems frozen on an impending doomsday scenario from Covid-19, while ignoring the anticipated deaths from untreated or undiagnosed cancers and Cardiac problems. While the spike in infections seems to be mainly among younger people which is surely a positive move towards herd immunity, the government is acting as if we are still facing 500,000 deaths!
Every individual's death is a tragedy for them and their family, but when talking about older people we must remember that death is the natural conclusion to life. There is a great difference between the death of an eighty year old and an eight year old. The government cannot keep older people alive for ever by restricting the lives of everyone else.
The economy, on the latest figures, is showing signs of a possible V shaped bounce but the recovery is fragile and the last thing needed is more restrictions. Is it not time for our leaders to start listening to the scientists, who are equally eminent to those on the SAGE group, who say we can relax and open up more in every area of life. Many years ago Winston Churchill said, "Trust the people." Our Prime Minister who some say sees himself as a modern day Churchill, should follow his lead and do the same. Drop all the restrictions, let us all get on with our lives using our common sense. It might be useful to remember that those who are not our friends will be looking at what we do and how we react.
It's time for the Government to get back to trusting the people, to exercise our common sense, to get through this pandemic.
