The UK: Protective avoidance is far better than disease survival
The government of Boris Johnson superintending over England as the fiefdom in which they can decide and determine action over the Coronavirus pandemic have concluded that on Monday, the 19 thof July, they will absolve themselves of any responsibility for the people’s welfare and expect that we as individuals would decide how we live with the virus.
The number of new infections exceeded 42,000 people; a figure last breached on the 15 thof January. Yet, the government is hellbent on removing all legal restrictions with the enforcements we once had moving in an optional free-for-all situation for anyone to act in whatever interest best serves them. [1]
A reckless principle
By making the wearing of face masks optional and just appealing to our presumably better nature to be considerate, they have lain open avenues of risk and concern for people who cannot for where they work or what they do expect protection except if the organisation, establishment, or company they represent decides to unilaterally impose safety restrictions.
The politicisation of mask-wearing as one of the presence or absence of freedom and autonomy is a most insidious poly of this government that has shepherded 128,593 souls to an early grave by their mishandling of this pandemic. Though this does not seem to feature in their lessons learnt or avoidable mistakes, just as the third wave takes hold. [2]
Towards herd impunity
We can agree that government policy is careering towards a herd immunity strategy predicated on surviving a bout of the COVID-19 disease because the vaccinations make hospitalisation after contracting the disease quite unlikely. There are 729,701 people currently infected with 3,786 patients in hospital, of which 545, up 23 from yesterday are on medical ventilation. [1]
COVID-19 is a serious disease, of those who have survived it, some have acquired chronic conditions labelled long COVID and their stories purposefully indicate that survival is not what one should aim for, but that the virus, the symptoms, and the disease must never be contracted and totally avoided as much as is practicable regardless of your vaccine status.
For my own safety
Even though I am vaccinated and into the third month after taking both doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine, I am not throwing caution to the winds, the protocols of safety will remain stridently adhered to. I will wear a face mask in public places and have one to hand even in places where they might not be necessary, for my own safety. I will avoid crowds, crowded places, closed places, and poorly ventilated environments as much as possible.
Social distancing still matters if I have no reason to be near you, anyone can be a vector of disease, it is better to be safe than sorry. Indeed, the washing of hands, the use of sanitisers will remain a thing of habit. I will sequester myself if I do not need to be outside and social engagements can wait. We have to outlast this pandemic by sensible measures and consideration for ourselves and others. The time for freedom will come, it is not in 4 days’ time.
References
[1] Gov.UK: Coronavirus website
[2] WorldOMeter: Coronavirus — The UK
The UK: Funny if you believed today was COVID-19 Freedom Day
Originally published at https://www.akinblog.nl.
