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1/8 It’s clear from the graphs and the experts that now isn’t the time to further relax lockdown.
Johnson countenances it because
1) He wants some ‘feel good’ news
2) He wants to kill off #CumGate
3) Cummings’s actions make it hard not to
4) ‘The science’ has served its purpose
Johnson countenances it because
1) He wants some ‘feel good’ news
2) He wants to kill off #CumGate
3) Cummings’s actions make it hard not to
4) ‘The science’ has served its purpose
2/8 And, most terrifyingly...
5) Before lockdown a death toll of c.40,000 seemed too horrific to imagine but, while it still should be, it’s been a drip, not a deluge; that and low expectations of our useless government mean we’ve become inured to it.
This factor is crucial.
5) Before lockdown a death toll of c.40,000 seemed too horrific to imagine but, while it still should be, it’s been a drip, not a deluge; that and low expectations of our useless government mean we’ve become inured to it.
This factor is crucial.
3/8 Do any factors offset these five?
Well, we know more about Covid and testing has increased since lockdown started. But, while that’s good, it doesn’t, as far as I know, help in treating people; it simply feeds into the test, trace and isolate scheme - which isn’t yet ready.
Well, we know more about Covid and testing has increased since lockdown started. But, while that’s good, it doesn’t, as far as I know, help in treating people; it simply feeds into the test, trace and isolate scheme - which isn’t yet ready.
4/8 That scheme also looks set to become a hot mess unless the messaging is significantly improved and people’s trust and confidence in the government is restored. That’s hampered unless Cummings at least apologises - but his sacking or resignation are preferable.
5/8 So what do we do?
For any policy to succeed, we need public consent.
People are getting bored of this. They’re no longer scared of the virus and this is leading to complacency. They’re also muddling risk to themselves with risk to others.
That is literally fatal.
For any policy to succeed, we need public consent.
People are getting bored of this. They’re no longer scared of the virus and this is leading to complacency. They’re also muddling risk to themselves with risk to others.
That is literally fatal.
6/8 We need to re-engage.
Dreadful and shameful compared to other countries though our death toll is, numbers are boring and hard to visualise. They’re impersonal and don’t tell a story. At least not an interesting one.
Dreadful and shameful compared to other countries though our death toll is, numbers are boring and hard to visualise. They’re impersonal and don’t tell a story. At least not an interesting one.
7/8 This obviously isn’t the full answer but anyone who wants to improve policy or at least get it to function - from the Opposition and the press down to you and me - needs to engage with and publicise some of the real life (and death) stories.
8/8 If the public demand tougher measures or at least a halt in the easing of lockdown, we might stand a chance.
Without it, we’ll look back on this with a deep sense of shame for many years to come.
Without it, we’ll look back on this with a deep sense of shame for many years to come.
