We need a soft landing
We need a soft landing
Plan B Covid restrictions end today in England
Plan B restrictions have been lifted from today in England. Face coverings are no longer mandatory in indoor venues, or advised in schools. Covid passes are no longer mandated for large events and people are not advised to work from home any more. But this does not delight everyone…
Responses to the tweet from 10 Downing Street were divided. Anger about political motivations and fear were juxtaposed with relief and cynicism.
The mixed feelings are unsurprising given the government’s U-turns on face masks, the lack of definitive evidence in favour of masks, and the numerous revelations that they were intended to be ‘signals’. Covid risks and fear were amplified to encourage compliance with the rules, and this has created a generalised feeling of anxiety which endures, evidenced by the emergence of Covid Anxiety Syndrome.
The mixed reaction to lifting restrictions also runs through the commentary from scientists, including on SAGE, and in the UK media. Perhaps their scientific advice is influenced by sharing in the collective fear, detectable in their colourful warnings.
Furthermore, there is a trend among advisors towards a more self-consciously planned society which values health and environment above liberty and autonomy - social controls introduced through the pandemic were a way of achieving that. That’s not easy to let go of.
Some people celebrating the relaxation of rules today would like face masks to be banned outright. I understand that view, especially in the case of schools, but there has to be a choice period. After that, maybe concerns about a more old-fashioned notion security will re-surface. Do you remember before the pandemic, if you want into a bank or post office you would see a sign asking people to remove face coverings? Our security priorities have changed for the time being.
There is particular concern about the clinically vulnerable. The Guardian ran a headline today:
These fears are understandable after two years of constant doom-mongering and very genuine risks for the clinically vulnerable. Yet 98% of adults in England have antibodies and the vaccine and booster are available to offer protection from serious illness due to Covid. The clinically vulnerable are now arguably in the same situation they were in before the pandemic when they would also take precautions about crowded indoor venues in winter, for example.
Fear was deliberately conveyed upon the British people with no exit strategy and no plan for recovery. The resulting anxiety and anger are to be expected. Fear has put a brake on recovery.
People will need a soft landing. The route to recovery is mutual empathy and remembering that time heals.
There’s only one way to show they’re sincere in not continuing with vaccine passports:
To DELETE the entire database, to be confirmed by an elder statesmen plus someone the public will trust (I’m available).
Also questions in the House with the PM personally confirming it’s done & will never be recreated. In Hansard.
Then I’d relax.
Chance they’ll agree? ZERO.
Because they DO intend to reimpose them later.
Which is why I insist on this measure.
Dr Mike Yeadon
I understand your compassion, tho' I don't necessarily share it. Still, who could argue with a simple message such as "my body, my choice" or "do what you think is best for you."
The problem, I think, is in the original lie they told that "your mask protects me, my mask protects you" or "if you get jabbed, that makes me safe and if I get jabbed that makes you safe." They told that lie as a form of persuasion based on the same feeling of collectiveness or compassion you're recommending now.
The lie lives on. Better to put it to death now, even if that's a shock to the body public.