It is early morning Saturday - right in the middle of the Easter weekend and of course right in the middle of our attempts to stop the spread of coronavirus getting completely out of control.
The nation by gov't decree is in lockdown. We are being urged to follow these rules :
Perhaps untypically for Easter this Easter holiday weather forecast is for fine weather - in the south at least - sun bathing weather ( it was yesterday.) It is ironic - for once the Easter weather is superb and the country is in lockdown.
A lock down - social distancing - would be challenging of course at any time. Fine weather does not make it easier - particularly because not everyone lives in a generous house - with space and garden. Easter is a time when extended families and friends meet up. This year it should not happen.
However there have been outbreaks of non compliance - certainly over previous weekends where people have driven to beauty spots for quality recreational time. There has been controversy and not everyone agrees with the need to restrict recreational use of public areas as long as required social distancing is maintained.
Where I live I am close to the sea and beaches. In other areas focus is on the use of parks. Some people are arguing - what is the problem with laying in the sun - going for a paddle or a swim as long as you retain the social distancing requirements (which most people seem to accept and are trying to adhere to.)
At face value what is wrong with laying on the beach and having a picnic - providing social distancing is maintained ? If I am not spreading the virus - what harm am I doing? Why the need for what appears to be draconian measures? It is a fair question perhaps? (where I live there are a lot of second homes. The gov't have said - do not travel to second homes. Most have stayed away - but some haven't.)
However there is a simple justification for the government directive and this needs to be understood and accepted. Why can't you lay in the park or sun bathe on the beach, or travel to your second home at this time? Compelling answer - " what if everybody did it ? "
When you think about it - the only reason you can maintain social distancing on the beach or in the park is because everyone else is sticking to the rules not to come. The previous weekend the scenes on Brighton were ridiculous. A nice weekend - we will head for the beach and keep our distance - but in the end thousands were trying to do that!
So that is the practical and moral answer - no picnics on beach or park - because your social distancing is only achieveable - dependent on - everyone else (and unlike you) sticking to the rules and is that fair? Is it reasonable? Is it socially responsible? No!
On this basis rules have to be enforced.
There are two other truisms I have observed over the years about human nature that are relevant here :
The first is - give an inch and - people will often take a yard and then a mile. A picnic - alcohol - a party! Give that inch and society will be in trouble.
The second and sadly - one family breaking the rules will often justify others doing the same. (Years ago I went to Japan - the streets were meticulously clear of litter. I think part of their success was based on litter free streets made dropping litter even more conspicuous and therefore wasn't done). Contrast with the UK!
My final point - for adhering to the rules has something to do with solidarity. (Of course it is nothing to do with government policy as such.) Years ago I remember reading an account of a soldier returning from fighting in the terrible Falkland's war - fighting for Britain (and many died.) He referred to sailing into Portsmouth to see people laying in the sun and relaxing and enjoying themselves. He wasn't angry about it but somehow did feel upset - it just seemed surreal - such a contrast with the reality of his life at that time. He felt he deserved more solidarity - more acknowledgement of what he had been through for the nation.
This photo was placed on FB today. It is a picture of a young ITU nurse who has worked 65 hours in six days wearing PPE. Your heart goes out to her. Solidarity is surely not complaining about not being able to lay on the beach - it is about reducing the virus spread so young heroes like this wonderful nurse does not have to give quite so much to save precious lives - she is already giving far more than her share bless her. xxxxx
The nation by gov't decree is in lockdown. We are being urged to follow these rules :
Perhaps untypically for Easter this Easter holiday weather forecast is for fine weather - in the south at least - sun bathing weather ( it was yesterday.) It is ironic - for once the Easter weather is superb and the country is in lockdown.
A lock down - social distancing - would be challenging of course at any time. Fine weather does not make it easier - particularly because not everyone lives in a generous house - with space and garden. Easter is a time when extended families and friends meet up. This year it should not happen.
However there have been outbreaks of non compliance - certainly over previous weekends where people have driven to beauty spots for quality recreational time. There has been controversy and not everyone agrees with the need to restrict recreational use of public areas as long as required social distancing is maintained.
Where I live I am close to the sea and beaches. In other areas focus is on the use of parks. Some people are arguing - what is the problem with laying in the sun - going for a paddle or a swim as long as you retain the social distancing requirements (which most people seem to accept and are trying to adhere to.)
At face value what is wrong with laying on the beach and having a picnic - providing social distancing is maintained ? If I am not spreading the virus - what harm am I doing? Why the need for what appears to be draconian measures? It is a fair question perhaps? (where I live there are a lot of second homes. The gov't have said - do not travel to second homes. Most have stayed away - but some haven't.)
However there is a simple justification for the government directive and this needs to be understood and accepted. Why can't you lay in the park or sun bathe on the beach, or travel to your second home at this time? Compelling answer - " what if everybody did it ? "
When you think about it - the only reason you can maintain social distancing on the beach or in the park is because everyone else is sticking to the rules not to come. The previous weekend the scenes on Brighton were ridiculous. A nice weekend - we will head for the beach and keep our distance - but in the end thousands were trying to do that!
So that is the practical and moral answer - no picnics on beach or park - because your social distancing is only achieveable - dependent on - everyone else (and unlike you) sticking to the rules and is that fair? Is it reasonable? Is it socially responsible? No!
On this basis rules have to be enforced.
There are two other truisms I have observed over the years about human nature that are relevant here :
The first is - give an inch and - people will often take a yard and then a mile. A picnic - alcohol - a party! Give that inch and society will be in trouble.
The second and sadly - one family breaking the rules will often justify others doing the same. (Years ago I went to Japan - the streets were meticulously clear of litter. I think part of their success was based on litter free streets made dropping litter even more conspicuous and therefore wasn't done). Contrast with the UK!
My final point - for adhering to the rules has something to do with solidarity. (Of course it is nothing to do with government policy as such.) Years ago I remember reading an account of a soldier returning from fighting in the terrible Falkland's war - fighting for Britain (and many died.) He referred to sailing into Portsmouth to see people laying in the sun and relaxing and enjoying themselves. He wasn't angry about it but somehow did feel upset - it just seemed surreal - such a contrast with the reality of his life at that time. He felt he deserved more solidarity - more acknowledgement of what he had been through for the nation.
This photo was placed on FB today. It is a picture of a young ITU nurse who has worked 65 hours in six days wearing PPE. Your heart goes out to her. Solidarity is surely not complaining about not being able to lay on the beach - it is about reducing the virus spread so young heroes like this wonderful nurse does not have to give quite so much to save precious lives - she is already giving far more than her share bless her. xxxxx
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| Thank you for being a hero - do we deserve your selfless dedication? xxxx |
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