02/05/2020
Whilst many people are still criticising the UK for being slow to act on, among other things, introducing measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, an ex-pat businessman is pushing for the restrictions to be lifted.
From what I can tell, the actual population of Britain is split between the minority who think the lockdown doesn't really apply to them, and the majority who think that the restrictions should stay in place as we clearly haven't met the parameters for things to be eased.
I am, to be clear, desperate for the lockdown to be over.
As a single man with a 'virtual girlfriend', it would be fantastic to hold her properly; to fall asleep with her and to wake up next to her (and other things of course). But, I don't believe that my desire for intimacy is sufficient reason to take risks with public health and relax the restrictions that are meant to help reduce the spread of the infection.
The greed of millionaires is also not a justifiable reason to ease the lockdown.
This particular individual lives in a tax haven; so whilst his businesses may pay tax in the UK, he doesn't.
Does that matter; you might ask?
Well, I think it does. If Dolan wishes to complain about the movement restrictions in Monaco, where he lives, or influence the way things are changed; that's fine. However, trying to do the same for the UK suggests he is only interested in his profits.
This is, quite frankly, rather unpleasant.
The time to ease the restrictions is when the government's five tests have been met:
The NHS has the capacity to provide critical care right across the UK.
There is a sustained and consistent fall in daily deaths from coronavirus.
The rate of infection has decreased to manageable levels across the board.
Operational challenges, including testing and PPE, are in hand in there is supply available to meet future demand.
The government, based upon guidance from the scientists and Chief Medical Officer, has confidence that any adjustments to the existing measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelms the NHS.
Until these measures have been achieved, the restrictions should be maintained and, actually, more robustly enforced.
I have noticed, when driving my daughter to and from her jobs at Wilkos and Tescos, that there has been a significant increase in traffic on the roads. I also spotted queues outside a fish and chip shop where some of those waiting to go into the chippy were not observing the social distancing rules. Yesterday, when queuing to go into Asda to collect my prescriptions, there were two lads who were not from the same residence who were stood together (maybe two feet apart, rather than two metres) as they crept forward in the queue.
I'm sure that these aren't isolated incidents; indeed I've heard many others cite breaches of the lockdown and social distancing rules; including people embarking on car journeys across several county borders to visit friends and family.
I know the temptation is there. I have had to visit my mother and her husband (who are self-isolating due to age / health) a couple times, to deliver food and other items. Each time, we have left the items on a chair outside the front door and stepped back about 4-5 metres. We have chatted for a bit, before saying goodbye. We have been so cautious, that they even use a cloth to retrieve the items from the chair.
This isn't a game. If people want to help us get to the point of achieving the five tests, they need to comply with the restrictions and not get impatient for our old freedoms.
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