Even though it appears inevitable, a second wave of coronavirus in the UK is not inevitable.
We still have the chance to prevent a second wave.
But in order for that to happen, the government needs to get its act together.
They were asleep at the switch for first wave.
Their failure to act promptly cost so mane innocent lives.
It is repeating a similar mistake.
I must state this point again, a second wave is not inevitable.
It will only happen if the government fails to act.
But instead of taking swift action, the government is blaming the people for the surge in cases.
UK Government is Like an Incapable Parent
The government stands is analogous to parents who complain about their kids on social media or complain about kids spending lots of time playing video games.
Forgetting to know that if they gave the kids something constructive to occupy their time, they will not waste their time on social media or video game.
It’s all well and good complaining about the activities your kids are engaged in.
But if you do not engage your kids, heaven knows what activity they will get involved in to engage themselves.
If you do not want your kids to play Fortnight, simply give them somewhere else to channel their energy.
The same principle applies to the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
It all well and good complaining about people’s refusal to comply with regulations but the government itself is not showing leadership in the matter.
The Biggest Mistakes
There were two very important moments in the government’s handling of this crisis that undermined trust in their messaging.
The first was the Dominic Cummings saga.
The message Mr. Cummings issued sent to the public was there is one rule for government officials and one for the general public.
As Mahatma Gandhi famously said: “my life is my message”.
There cannot be one rule for government officials and their cronies and another rule for the rest of society.
The second incident was Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s famous lie about reaching the hundred thousand per day test.
Ministers telling the public bold face lies impact the public desire to comply with regulations.
Those two incidents completely undermined people’s trust in the government.
Hence their reluctance to comply with government regulations.
Actions Must Accompany Pronouncements
The third issue making it difficult to control the virus is government’s inability to follow up pronouncement with concrete actions.
The best example of that is the test, track and trace regime, which has failed miserably.
The technology has not worked and the implementation is dismal to put it mildly.
The self-isolation policy has not worked because of the implementation strategy.
Countries that have supressed the virus do not hope people voluntarily self-isolate.
They put in place structures to ensure people self-isolate.
They have effective track and trace system that works.
Implement Stricter Restrictions
Fifth, the government needs to implement more draconian restrictions.
Those who argue stricter restriction is not possible in a democracy, might want to consider Australia and New Zealand.
Are they not democracies?
Those countries did not get their virus rate under control by appealing to the goodness of human nature.
They force compliance.
What most opponents of stricter restrictions do not understand is, democracy only works when people voluntarily submit to authority.
Furthermore, where one person’s right ends, is where another person’s right begins.
And freedom comes with responsibility.
Anyone who wants to be free at the detriment of others is a Trump.
So, How Can the UK Prevent a Second Wave?
The first step is to stop thinking that a second wave is inevitable because it is happening in other European countries.
The second step would be to fire the Health Secretary, he is completely clueless.
Thousands of people would have been alive today if the UK had a Health Secretary who was clued up on crisis management.
The longer he remains Health Secretary, the more innocent people will die.
Step three, back communications with concrete steps.
To ask people to self-isolate without putting in place mechanisms for compliance is a joke.
Democracy only works when people voluntarily submit to authority.
In instances where a handful of people place the lives of the majority at risk, the only effective approach is the use of power tools.
Step four, everyone must comply with the regulations, including those in power.
Finally, the government need advice from actual experts, not those who agree with their views.
Wear mask or don’t wear mask.
Do you remember that debate?
That is what is killing people not the virus.
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