Are we now a country of snitches?
A QUESTION comes from Mr F in Glasgow. He writes: ‘Our nextdoor neighbours have totally ignored the lockdown since the beginning, having friends and family round regularly and some staying overnight.
‘My wife and I are elderly and worry about getting the virus. I wanted to report these selfish people, but my wife doesn’t want me to cause any animosity between us if they discover it was me that contacted the authorities. What would you advise me to do?’
It reminded me that at the start of April, in a debate in Femail Magazine about reporting neighbours for having a party during lockdown, I (reluctantly) said I would. I wrote: ‘In these extraordinary circumstances I firmly believe personal liberty is less important than the public good.’
How long ago that seems. I also asked, ‘Why should selfish individuals who think only of their own pleasure be allowed to get away with it? Would it be right to stand by?’ To which my answer was ‘No’ — and I meant it.
But so much has happened since then and now I have grave doubts about that position.
This is not the place to discuss policy or the extent to which the country has actually been let down by the NHS (you all know the figures about other grave conditions), but what I will say is that questioning is essential. And, horrified now by a culture of snitching and Government diktats, I have changed my mind.
I can see why ‘elderly’ Mr and Mrs F are upset by their neighbours, but why can’t they keep their heads down and shield themselves, since their fears are about their own health? Is it wise to make a potential enemy of a neighbour?
You’ll all have your own answer to that question and (as I assured another reader, Vicky) I respect individual choice.
I agree with American thinker Benjamin Franklin: ‘Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.’
BEL answers readers’ questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. Names are changed to protect identities. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.