It’s so easy to be wise after the event...

THE Government has come in for a lot of stick during the past year over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. These are unprecedented times for all governments throughout the globe so there is no yardstick or history to learn from.

We are lucky to have government by consent in this country (unlike a totalitarian state which can enforce rules under threat of severe punishments) so we should count our blessings. This government is doing its best to protect the lives and wellbeing of its citizens so without doubt some mistakes are inevitable in this trial and error approach to such an unknown quantity.

The science can tell us the dangers of Covid-19 and a successful vaccine can prevent us catching it, but the great unknown is how can the virus be stopped from spreading apart from masks, washing hands and social distancing.

Lockdowns might be the answer but at the expense of ruining the economy from which we may take a decade to recover. It’s a very fine line to follow. As an alternative, Mr Johnson could create a “Ministry of Hindsight” staffed entirely by the Labour front bench. Sir Keir Starmer should head this new department as he is prone to parodying the catchphrase of the late Jim Bowen of Bullseye fame: ‘Now let me show you what you should have done.’

If only life could be that simple. As the old saying goes: ‘It’s easy to be wise after the event’.

If only hindsight were foresight we’d all be a lot wiser.

Edward Kynaston Lydney, Forest of Dean