Lockdown fatigue is setting in – so tell us what comes next before we lose the faith
LOCKDOWN fatigue is setting in.
Polling shows approval of the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis has slumped from 59 per cent to 52 per cent.
Many cabinet ministers are privately concerned about the devastating impact of the current draconian measures on the economy and mental health.
And Sir Graham Brady – chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench Tories – has today admitted he is “impatient to see the lifting of restrictions as soon as it is safe to lift them”.
The big problem about our strategy is not that we remain in lockdown for the moment; the public has understood the need to flatten the curve and avoid the NHS being overwhelmed. Despite the naysayers, we’ve done an incredible job at that for a country with such high population density.
But it’s the lack of trust in our citizens to paint a picture of our near future that I believe is causing consternation and prompting some people to throw in the towel.
We love our freedom and liberty in this country. We value it more than almost anything else.
We’ll give it up for good reason – and this was the absolute best reason.
But it’s time to hear from our leaders about what’s next.
Italians, for example, know they can travel now start travelling as long as they stay within one region. They’ve also been told restaurants and hairdressers will likely be open by June 1.
New Zealand has four stages of lockdowns, with the most recent allowing fast food restaurants to reopen.
The Czech Republic has already started to open shopping malls.
It’s important we start discussing the specifics and options now. Not least because it’s going to be a lot for many terrified citizens to get their heads around.
For example, The Daily Telegraph today suggested social distancing might have to take place on London tubes, with only 50 per cent capacity allowed.
If you’ve ever ridden a London tube you’ll know how that is going to be virtually impossible. Especially at rush hour.
Nicola Sturgeon has today recommended Scottish commuters wear cloth masks in enclosed spaces. But Boris Johnson’s government has still not decided whether to make this advice formal because of a dispute within the advisory Sage committee.
My advice is to stop the delay and accept the inevitable: Masks are going to be a reality in our immediate futures, for public confidence in going out if nothing else. So start working on upping production. Now.
Then there’s the issue of pubs and restaurants. Eyal Winter – an economist advising the government on how to lift lockdown – believes pubs can reopen as long as social distancing is enforced.
He told The Guardian today: “One of the most important things is to have a programme to say ‘in two weeks we will do such and such’. You need to make the rules crystal clear and explain the rationale behind each one of them.”
Again, the enforcement won’t be easy. But no one ever believed Brits would be so compliant and well-behaved during this lockdown.
The government needs to start letting us in on the plans before we lose the faith.