Chaotic. Farcical. Astonishing. Ill-timed. Disturbing. Confusing. Ridiculous. Incoherent. Dangerous. Insert expletives here….
And of course here I’m referring to the Prime Minister’s address to the nation last night.
Even very mild mannered British morning TV hosts are reacting with incredulity. ‘Just tell us what we need to do’ said one.
I feel like we’re living in a Monty Python sketch. Or an episode of Yes Minister. And yes, some of the points in this post may not make much sense but nor does the government’s advice to Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives.
There’s a clear shift in language and still questions not answered. ‘We’ve had to ‘put up’ with lockdown’. I thought we were doing it to save the NHS and save lives.
‘Death rates are coming down. Hospital admissions are coming down.’ What about care homes, prisons, other group environments? What about deaths at home? We don’t have up to date data and there’s no widespread community testing.
‘We must stay alert’. Let’s just say I’ve never seen so many memes of government advice. And the new advice? Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save lives. Well, we all know what that means…ummm.
And yes, if you can’t work at home, you are actively encouraged to go to work, at least in some industries. What about workplaces where social distancing can’t be maintained? Well it seems employers and employees are just expected to do their best. What about employees who are high risk or live with someone at high risk? I guess you just wait to get fired where businesses can’t afford to keep you on.
Guidelines for workplaces have not yet been published. These will be published later today or tomorrow. Of course it’s important to get people back to work but this is a confused mess and it will cost lives.
You shouldn’t use public transport unless you don’t have a choice. Ride a bike. Walk to work. Drive. This is clearly a government who has no understanding of how so many of us live our daily lives.
I could see a friend or a parent with appropriate social distancing. Mind though it’s only one other person we can see so no meeting up with both parents or possibly friends who are a couple. As of Wednesday, we’ll be able to sit in parks, and exercise more than once a day.
And today in Parliament, ‘I think everybody understands what we’re trying to do.’ Yes, in an esoteric sense I do. After all, all we need to rely on is good British common sense…no words.
The devolved administrations, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, are very sensibly doing their own thing and sticking to Stay Home, Save the NHS, Save Lives.
The British Medical Association says the government’s plan is ‘too fast, too confusing and too risky.’ From what I saw over the Bank Holiday weekend, and what I’m seeing now, expect another peak to start emerging in 2 to 3 weeks.
Another 210 deaths across all care settings as of 5pm yesterday. This brings the total to 32,065. It’s important to note that numbers tend to be lower early in the week given less reporting on weekends.
I want this to work. I want us to reduce rates of infections and deaths. But we are far from living in ‘normal’ times. Now is not the time to move too quickly. Nor is it the time for confused and confusing messaging. And no, we can’t rely on just good old British common sense. Most of us are currently living with some degree of fear. Fear and common sense do not work well together.
So that’s it for Day 49. And for now I’ll be sticking to – Stay safe, stay well, and stay home!