The argument against lockdown is pernicious. It's evolved somewhat. Now it's about social distance. All the experts say that 2m makes a significant difference to transmission over 1m. You'll note the antiloxxers have conceded that we need something. They say "we aren't against social distancing (they mean lockdown), but 2m is economic madness!"
This is pernicious for the following reasons:
1. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with trying to change their argument. Lockdown is important.
2. If we give in to their attempt to force a dangerous compromise it will simply mean there is no social distancing.
At 1m life is essentially normal. Most people stand at this distance anyway. In social gatherings, places like pubs and clubs, people will very quickly forget to staty 1m apart - and that is the intention. It won't be enforced; how can it be? Do you think bar staff and waitresses are going to want the hassle of keeping people apart, especially if they're drinking (the patrons, not the staff - although who can blame them). The staff will be behind their screens, venturing out only to collect glasses (suddenly a very dangerous profession - at no extra pay).
It is unworkable and to give in to the 1m is to give in on the whole thing. We cannot socially distance at that level. It's like saying to an alcoholic he'll be ok if he just has a sip of wine. It's a slippery slope toward unfettered social movement. We'd all like to live like that again, but we can't. The R rate is rising, the disease hasn't found a cure nor has it left. These peopoe are not interested in your health, only your bank balance. They don't even seem to graps how risky it will be for them; if corona invaes their pub or bar then they're done. End of.
Just take a look at the likes of those making this argument, that should tell you all you need to know!
Furthermore, the extension of the anti lockdown view is borderline (I'm being generous here) eugenics. It is the notion that we can happily let the virus, which we know to be fatal, wash through the community. These people know some will die, they just don't care. This is Nazi level propaganda. Even if we accept this, and we shouldn't because it's callous, we don't know who will die and we are denying the rights of those who might survive from living the end of their days as they perhaps would choose. It isn't for the great and the good to dismiss the frail so dreadfully. This ins't will to power it's real life. We can't even assume herd immunity will be reached and what good will it do if those herd immunity is intended to protect are dead.
Meanwhile the lockdown is essentially done. The only thing left is to open the high street, that's supposed to be next week. I gather shops will be cautious, which is good. But the high street is going to be unmanageable. How can it be policed? How can you ensure people will stay 2m apart and weark masks? Are bus drivers going to have to police irate would-be passengers who didn't bring a mask with them when they try and board?
This is a mess, and it's fertile breeding ground for a second spike. If nothing else the virus will simply linger. Britain will remain like a smoker after the winter, his lungs all tarred up and unable to deal with winter viruses, ending up coughing and spluttering until summer. That's where we are. No one is coming to help us. We shoved two fingers up at the EU, we're continuing to shove two fingers up at the EU while we make ready to leap into the abyss at years end all the while coughing and spluttering into the next winter virus season.
And nobody will care.
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