More Of The Same Only Worse

[poliphilo]

And so England is going back into something like full lockdown.

A lockdown in November is going to feel rather different from a lockdown in April- and I expect the response to be grudging and much less compliant. Then we had spring and summer to look forward to, now we have Christmas- and an awful lot of us have never been that keen on Christmas- and those of us who are will be griping about how the pandemic rules have taken the fizz out of the cava. First time round there was communal clapping for the NHS and children painted rainbows and posted them in windows- this, time, well, we'll see.

We were innocent then, now we're campaign-hardened and questioning. The mere fact hat we're having to do it again suggests that the first lockdown failed- and if that's so why are we repeating the strategy? Again there'll be quibbles about particulars- like the closing of restaurants and pubs while schools and colleges remain open. Finally there's the issue around leadership. Those of us who relish the smack of firm governance haven't been getting that from Johnson and his crew. I'm not saying other national leaders have done a better job but rather that they've seemed to be doing a better job- and in politics seeming is important. Nicola Sturgeon, for instance, has looked decisive where Johnson has looked inconsistent, dithery and detached. A lot of us are going to disobey the rules for no better reason than that they're Johnson's rules.

Bonfire night is coming up. I suppose we ought to consider it cancelled, but... but... a lot of us are feeling very Guy Fawkesy...

Comments

[cmcmck]

Guido Fawkes, the only man ever to enter parliament with honest intentions..........

[poliphilo]

I love it how (thanks to V for Vendetta) the Guy Fawkes mask has become an international symbol of protest.

[samissam]

After Johnson's performance in that bizarre press conference yesterday I must say I agree with you on the leadership issue.

[lokbiiviing]

So, England sees it as a personal thing: a personal attack and a question of person when it comes to your leaders? Perhaps Finland would too, if we had leadership we hated, but mostly we don't. Restaurants, shops and public transport all have all manner of restrictions placed upon them now in (addition to all of the usual other stuff) but so far we are bearing it. Perhaps it's because we went to a full lockdown last spring and that seemd to help contain the disease.

Happy Pyro-night. Just keep your safety distance from one another and you'll be fine. If something catches fire just say you were disinfecting. XD

[poliphilo]

And he wanted the job so very badly...

[poliphilo]

There's a feeling, shared across the political spectrum, that our government has handled the crisis extraordinarily badly. It's been inefficient, vainglorious- making claims that are clearly nonsense- and lacking in any clear strategy. If you have a good boss you don't mind following their orders but when you have an incompetent and dishonest one you resent it.

We live in relative isolation- a good way outside the nearest village- and won't be going near any bonfire :)

[samissam]

I think it's slightly unfair to hold one person responsible. I don't envy those making the tough decisions right now. They're damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[lokbiiviing]

Well yes, agreed: of course it is. But isn't that how masses always behave anyway? :) That's what I meant. And that we have less of that in Finland, because we (so far) still see covid as the issue we are all dealing with rather than seeing the persons in charge *being* the issue.