THREAD: The litmus test for policy should not be how much it advantages the most well off, but how much it disadvantages the vulnerable. Before covid, we cared about the impact of policies on the most vulnerable in society. We had equality assessments, we considered the

impact of legislation on all groups. Any discriminatory legislation was reviewed, and amended to reduce the impact on the vulnerable. We cared about such things.

Now, if you can wear a face mask, great, I'm happy for you. This is not about you. This is about the vulnerable

This is about how the true worth of a society is found in how well we look after our weakest members. We have been found so wanting in 2020.

Lockdown disproportionately affected the poor. For every article about the middle classes having a wonderful time in the garden, there

Was a heartbreaking tale of children being abused in homes. Great Ormond St reported a 1493% increase in abusive head injuries during lockdown. This is the tip of the iceberg. Abuse has increased significantly during lockdown. The normal checks and balances that we have

For the most vulnerable in society, such as schooling, have been lost. These children lost their safety nets. For months. Aside from abuse, poor children were disproportionately affected during lockdown by the withdrawal of education. Inequalities rose. The economic effects of

Lockdown, in turn are disproportionately affecting the young and the poor. The vulnerable are suffering. Those with healthcare requirements that are not met will suffer, those with undiagnosed cancers will suffer. Anybody on the periphery of society is at risk

they are the victims of this policy.

Which brings me on to face masks. If you can wear a face mask, great, carry on. But policing others is not reasonable. Policing people with mental and physical health issues who can't wear masks just further victimises the vulnerable

We are already seeing scenarios where people are "policing" mask wearing on transport. Taking videos etc. This has barely been discouraged by travel companies. We are at risk of ostracising and alienating the most vulnerable in society by not only this policy, but society's

reaction to it. Mask wearing is complex. And there are many people who will suffer. For example- sexual assaults on the London Underground increased by 42% in 4 years. Anonymity will likely result in further increases. Vulnerable women are going to feel a bit more vulnerable

every time they travel. So for those people who are hash tagging #WearADamnMask and demanding that of others. Stop a moment. Maybe mask wearing is easy for you. The same as lockdown was. Maybe with your health, it doesn't represent that much of an imposition. But you are not

the vulnerable here. You will not be disproportionately affected by this. And demanding someone that you know nothing about wears a mask is the same kind of mindset as demanding children stay in a house during lockdown where they are being abused. You have zero

knowledge of what is taking place in someone else's life, or what health conditions they have. Lets all show a little bit of kindness. And reflect on the fact that if the idea of mask wearing doesn't bother us so much, that's great. But it means we are LUCKY and PRIVILEGED /end

Some references to show my working:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/23/reports-sexual-assaults-london-underground-soar

https://adc.bmj.com/content/archdischild/early/2020/06/30/archdischild-2020-319872.full.pdf

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2020/Calls-about-domestic-abuse-highest-on-record-following-lockdown-increase/

https://cpag.org.uk/news-blogs/news-listings/cost-learning-lockdown

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/school-reopening-lockdown-poverty-education-inequality-a9556726.html

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52717942