Trump cabinet set bad example
THE understanding of the corona pandemic, of which cause and effect have not been widely agreed, has suddenly met a new stage of almost universal agreement, by the events of Donald Trump’s cabinet, all crowding onto an aeroplane without a mask between them, to discourage the transfer of viruses between them.
But the impact of these events into billions of minds has been accelerated by Donald making mock of Joe wearing a mask. For several months, Donald had made political capital out of his heroic disdain of masks, which was also an example to a nation.
The words out of Donald’s mouth in recent days, scorning the wearing or masks, is exactly the same as the UK medical authority’s advice to the nation in January, that it was foolish to wear a mask for any reason, either to catch some of the viruses leaving an infected person, or preventing viruses entering the air passages of an uninfected person.
But everyone also agrees it would be wicked for Nancy Palosie to say that Donald brought this upon himself. It may be true, but we should not say it, because it would be ‘bad taste’, to be unsympathetic to a sick invalid. Nancy has desisted from making the bald statement. Which should guide us? Fatuous politeness which chooses deception, or the truths of this planet?
Could it be true? If the UK authorities in January, had urged all British adults to wear a mask when they might come into contact with other people in order to reduce the quantity of viruses expelled into the air, only some citizens would have complied, but it may be true to declare that fewer than 42,000 would have died? If that could be accurate, should not every nation learn from this half truth? the whole A4018, without the need to waste road width on token provision for public transport.
Circular Road is already well used by cyclists of all ages and conditions, as a route to Clifton, to access the Downs, for exercise and for taking the air. If there are problems caused by motor traffic these should be dealt with by systematic enforcement of the 20mph limit, or by closing to motor traffic in the centre so that it remains available for people driving to access the Downs, but ceases to tempt as a through route bypassing the traffic lights on the main road.
The Cycling Sunday proposals do not address any real need, would hinder cycling on Circular Road by introducing bumps in the road, create conflict between people on foot and cyclists on the new shared pavements and increase Tarmac encroachment on the Downs.
Shared pavements are always unsatisfactory and are the favourite resort of local authorities who do not wish to make real provision for cycling. They also create the impression that cyclists have no place on the road, which is a strange aim for a group claiming to promote cycling.
Cycling Sunday is a classic example of an organisation with a bee in the bonnet and money to burn, or, more likely, hoping to burn public money. They are not addressing any real need for cyclists on the Downs, but have descended on the Downs as an apparently empty space to build their circus ring. If they really wanted to improve cycling options for young people they would address the question of how to make the neighbourhoods where children live safe for children to cycle.