An affront to society and common sense
A YEAR ago, when a highly contagious disease which attacks the human respiratory system started rampaging across the world, scientists were quick to ascertain whether it had a bacterial or a viral cause, and so were immediately able to discount the widespread application of antibiotics as a possible counter.
This left the general public with the stark choice between acquainting or re-acquainting themselves with how earlier generations had responded to such health threats, or wait for others to tell them what and what not to do to protect themselves and others.
Politicians the world over were quick to respond to the challenge posed by what was and is a purely medical problem. Such is the widespread acceptance of the Nanny State and the repudiation of personal responsibility that the media continue to focus on the political ramifications of the disease above all else. The wisdom of the Spanish philosopher George Santayana, who warned us that those who choose to ignore history go on to repeat the mistakes of history, is ignored and the public continue to suffer as a result. Humankind has no chance whatever of defeating the virus but can only hope to contain it, mitigate its effects and provide prophylactics.
The lessons from a pandemic of a century ago are just as pertinent today and can be applied without the intervention of politicians. To reduce the possibility of disease spread, the notion of staying at home is a flawed one.
Some folk live in high rise tower blocks with multiple communal areas and frenetic moving populations, some live in secluded flats with ready access to a park or a sparsely used public area.
Broad brush restrictions are totally inappropriate, repressive and mostly ineffective.
Using the police to apprehend innocent people while standing by while others destroy public monuments is an affront to society and common sense.
The worst of all possible worlds is a phrase which can be applied to the political response to the current health crisis with its increasing threats to both national health and economic wellbeing.
Anthony G Phillips
Salisbury, Wilts