14/10/2020
Liverpool City Region is the only area of the UK in the top tier of the government's new system of coronavirus restrictions. Last night, just two hours before the tighter measures were due to be enforced, large groups of people acted in breach of the pre-existing rules; putting themselves and others at risk and showing obscene levels of contempt for those working on the front line in this pandemic - the police, paramedics, doctors, nurses firefighters and others.
These instances of, predominantly young, people behaving in such deplorable manners are, sadly, happening far too frequently.
Social media footage showed people dancing and surrounding a police car in Concert Square at 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday 13 October.
Liverpool's Mayor, Joe Anderson, was clearly frustrated by what he saw, stating that ignoring facts about the virus was "why we are in Tier 3 measures". Reacting to footage circulating on social media, he tweeted: "These pictures shame our city." He further said, "Our health service is creaking, 300 in hospital & 30 people dead in [a] week. Ignoring these facts is why we are in Tier 3 measures."
Nick Small, a Liverpool City Councillor, referred to those in the crowds as, "idiots putting themselves, their friends, families and everyone else at risk, destroying jobs and our hospitality sector while they do it."
It is beginning to appear obvious that the British public cannot be trusted to act appropriately; to listen to measures that are going to be introduced without seeing it as a reason to cram more into those final hours. It's a bit like when the pubs called 'last orders' five or ten minutes before 'time' and pub-goers, who might already have a full drink in front of them, would find the need to order an extra pint or two. It's what separated us from our European neighbours, who didn't appear to have the same mentality.
It's a bit like when the pubs called 'last orders' five or ten minutes before 'time' and pub-goers, who might already have a full drink in front of them, would find the need to order an extra pint or two.
Paul Brant, cabinet member for adult health and social care, said intensive care beds in Liverpool were at more than 90% capacity and were soon expected to reach levels of bed occupancy seen during the first wave of the pandemic. "At the current rate of increase, we would expect Liverpool to surpass the peak of the first wave probably within the next seven to 10 days."
If people cannot be trusted to show some common sense during this pandemic, then the measures introduced by national and local governments might need to be implemented more robustly and with less advance notice. This might be the only way to avoid further scenes like those witnessed in Liverpool and elsewhere.
I'm sure there will be many who would scream about this being government overreach; they might scream abut the totalitarianism and repressive regimentation of society, such as described within George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four.
The fact is, however, we are (hopefully) dealing with a 'once in a lifetime' event.
The fact is, however, we are (hopefully) dealing with a 'once in a lifetime' event. This isn't a time to be fighting the state, as long as they are engaged in taking appropriate measures to protect the population. Many people hoped, even expected, that The Great War was a 'once in a lifetime' event. Sadly, World War Two occurred; bringing the horror of worldwide conflict back just 20 years later and actually leading to the renaming of The Great War, to World War One. I don't recall there being any stories of people rebelling against the measures taken to protect people back then. If that happened now?
If the yobs on the street refuse to show due respect to our law enforcement officers, paramedics and other critical workers, and if - at a local level - they are not given confidence that they will be supported in the use of the powers available to them, perhaps it is time for our Armed Forces to be asked to assist in the enforcement.
It isn't something that should be necessary. It isn't something that enlisted men. should have to face. But, maybe the idiots that are hell-bent on wreaking havoc and ignoring the law will be less likely to swarm all over a vehicle manned by armed soldiers than they would unarmed police in a patrol car.
We need to have an absolute zero tolerance policy regarding attacks on emergency services workers and NHS staff. Similarly, those who would deliberately flout the COVID legalisation and place those around them at risk, showing no regard for the health workers and others that might need to deal with the outcomes of their stupidity, need to start adhering to the rules and stop trying to push boundaries.
The transgressors need to realise, and realise quickly, that their behaviour will not be tolerated.
Their friends and families, if they're aware of their actions, need to try and reason with them; get them to understand the seriousness of the situation. If they refuse to comply, alert the authorities; but start by letting them know that this is what you will do.
I know that people will criticise that suggestion, and me for making it. But, let me draw an analogy to explain why I say this.
Some years ago, a friend visited me at home, wanting to discuss something that was bothering him. He arrived, just as we (my family) were getting back from placing flowers on my mother-in-laws grave. I invited the chap in for a drink, so we could chat over a cup of tea. He misunderstood my offer, replying, "I'd better not, I've had a skinful already!"
I didn't take the conversation inside. I spoke to him on my driveway, dealt with what was troubling him, and then said that I was going to drive him home. He refused the offer of a lift, trying to convince me that he could drive; even though it had by then become obvious that he was indeed drunk - not to the point of slurring his speech, but clearly well beyond the point where he should be driving a car.
I explained that I was not going to take no for an answer, and that I would drive him home in his car and that my (now ex) wife would follow and drive me back home.
He again refused.
I then explained that it wasn't an option. I told him that if he attempted to drive away from my home, in his state, I would immediately call the police. My (then) wife backed me up, telling the bloke that there was no doubt that I would indeed call the police and report him.
At this point, he apologised and accepted the lift. He was apologetic throughout the short drive to his home (5-10 minutes). When we got there, his frantic wife thanked me; she was extremely concerned, knowing that he had driven away after drinking too much, but not knowing what had happened.
There is no doubt in my mind that I did the right thing in offering that ultimatum. I know that I would have gone through with the 'threat' of calling the police, had he actually refused my lift and had driven away from my home drunk.
An average of 666 people are killed and 3,551 people are seriously in drink driving related accidents in Great Britain each year. These numbers are significantly lower than those who died from COVID in the first six months of this pandemic.
Most people agree that drink-driving is a heinous crime. Ridding the roads of drunk-drivers is something that very few would argue against.
It's time we stop cutting slack for those who wantonly disregard the safety of others in their community by flouting COVID regulations.
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