WILL COVIDIOTS MAKE CONVICTS OF US ALL?

THERE are two sides to the coronavirus debate.

Those who accept that the interminable lockdown is a necessary evil to stop the spread.

And those who insist a can of tinned peaches is an essential food item to be consumed while stopped for a breather during a trek up and down Snowdon.

Notwithstanding my admiration for the humble, syrup-soaked peach, I am very much with the former.

And not least because the latter’s actions in testing the isolation waters are allowing an even more quiet mission creep by Big Brother into our lives.

The latest tech being talked about is issuing people with bracelets that track your every move.

They beam your location up to GPS satellites in orbit above us and immediately tell the Stasi if we’ve crept into the back yard for a wee.

If you try to remove them, the rozzers will be told that too. Off to chokey you will go.

Which is ironic, because this technology is already in wide use for those who are considered to be behaving well enough to not be behind bars, but still naughty enough to be constantly monitored.

In Belgium, they’re already testing residents wearing bands that vibrate if they come nearer than three metres to another one.

God knows what will happen if “vibrate” doesn’t quite get the message across.

But it’s probably safe to assume that someone will be suggesting a virtual Chinese burn, followed by an electric shock and, should your transgressions continue, complete amputation of the lower arm.

Of course staying in is a tremendous pain in the arse.

Of course we’re all missing the pub, our families, friends and colleagues, our places of devout worship.

But thanks to those who think ignoring the threat of Covid-19 is a goer, it seems we’re all going to be convicts now.