Selfish put all at risk

WHEN an irresponsible minority are gambling with the lives of the responsible majority, either they stop now or public protection must be enforced.

Compulsory lockdowns, shutting most shops and markets, and closing parks wouldn’t be necessary if everyone followed official advice instead of a selfish significant few behaving as if rules don’t apply to them.

Coronavirus is no respecter of rank or wealth, as German chancellor Angela Merkel has discovered, and the people continuing to congregate closely are in for a shock.

It isn’t only about them. Do they really want a death on their conscience? We expect not.

NHS letters will this week advise 1.5 million people to shield themselves by remaining indoors for 12 weeks. It is another dramatic move to halt the march of a virus threatening to quickly overwhelm hospitals.

Boris Johnson appears uncertain about how to deal with those still ignoring advice to remain at least two metres apart.

He also dithered on shutting pubs and that indecision could jeopardise more lives. Others, such as high street chains Primark and Timpson, are taking a lead by locking their doors until this crisis is over.

To beat the deadly threat that is Covid-19, we must all be in this together and do whatever it takes, individually and as a society. That includes the unthinking minority considering folk other than themselves, changing their behaviour to protect the whole country.

We appreciate that Mr Johnson doesn’t always inspire confidence but listen to the NHS experts, people who save lives.

Either each and every one of us does our bit or the government must get heavy.