Bit of a philosophical thread

When we ask questions

The importance of the information we get

And what we can infer from the responses

Is determined by the quality of the question asked

On a program last night a survey question was “do you want restaurants to open in Dec?

(2)

This is the wrong question

Most of us “want” restaurants open

Far more than that we “want” our lives back

We want to be able to hug our family & friends

To be free to work & travel & socialise

This is not about what we want

It is about what we can safely have

(3) the question should be

Do you think restaurants can safely open without increasing spread of the virus?

That question might get a different answer

We all know there are differences between what we want & what we can safely have

We also know that the economic impact of

(4) lockdowns is very severe

They are a time buying measure to bolster public health capacity, PH case management, contact tracing

Our language matters

Our questions matter

There is a dangerous narrative emerging that is trying to pit medics & HSCPs against the economy

(5) it’s a fallacy

Suppressing the virus, shutting down cases before they become clusters is what enables us to open & keep open our society & the economy

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel

We need to learn from the countries who are doing an excellent job &

(6) work with our PH specialists & the geopolitical context of the border which massively impacts the effectiveness of any strategy (& is where the diplomatic & political impact of politicians on the health & economy of our society is massively felt)

There is a long Winter yet

(7) avoiding another lockdown is essential for so many people whose livelihoods are in the balance

Keeping the virus at bay is essential for ALL of us

And for everyone who needs any medical care in the coming months

We need to keep working together

(8) public sector pay comes from tax

We are acutely aware that cuts to public sector during austerity are NOT reversed when then economy improves (hello 2012 new entrant cut)

And that investment in NEW services is depending on Govt having the funding to do so

So please

(9) stop pretending that we don’t care or aren’t affected by the economic downturn

We are living with the impact of the 2008 crash on lack of investment in the capital infrastructure of our health service

Which sadly has cost us all during this pandemic

(10) we are in the same storm

But not in the same boat

It is very hard for private sector currently

But it is hardest, as it always is for those living in deprivation

We must keep remembering that we are in this together & keep responding, improving, adjusting our

(11) responses as new information becomes available

It takes more than medical expertise to get us through this (& we badly need to listen to & resource the PH specialists we have)

It takes the balcony view of society in its broadest terms

We elect politicians to do this

(12)
This is hard

We are all sick of it

It is harder for some than others especially those who have lost loved ones & those who have lost jobs

We have to keep working together to get through this & mind each other as best we can

It takes a village

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