brad465
Established Member
We already know from the whole Brexit situation that the country is divided and all the problems that come with that, but from experiences I've seen and heard, the whole pandemic is at least as equally divisive, but probably even more so.
The area I see this as most problematic is with regards to rule breaking: it's really easy for some just to blame the escalating cases on those not following the rules, when I'm confident they're not the biggest problem and anyone blaming them hasn't looked into it properly. I don't know how bad it is numerically, although from observations I've seen it cannot be anywhere near as much a virus spreading cause as schools being open, where across the UK around 10 million pupils and 500,000 teachers interact 5 days a week for at least 6 hours a day, plus all the interactions with their households. Then there's all the University interactions and related movements and businesses where working from home isn't possible. I also believe not all rule breaking is deliberate as for some self-isolation is unaffordable for some so to them the virus is the least of their worries if they get it. In any case I still believe rule breaking is in minority although higher than in the spring, but fatigue is ultimately going to be an issue we can't really allow to get worse any longer.
While criticism of Government handling is much more united (i.e. more criticism than support), it's on two different fronts: the opposition unsurprisingly is criticising doing everything late, and/or half hearted on one side and mixed/confusing messaging, then Government backbenchers, media outlets who normally support the current Government and groups of the population disapproving of the strategy on the grounds of being unsustainable and/or against civil liberties on the other side.
My thinking is a more sustainable strategy should be pursued, that in theory should greatly reduce the whole rule breaking issue, something many other users here from other threads appear to want as well. I'm hoping that with infection levels currently appearing to be declining right now in this wave that, should this hopefully continue, calls for a change in approach will increase and maybe the whole rule-breaking problems will subside with it, while in any case the longer this goes on the more there'll be questioning the whole approach, especially now we know of a vaccine (however effective it is) is out there.
What are others' thoughts and possible experiences on how much society is divided on this issue and how it can be rectified?
The area I see this as most problematic is with regards to rule breaking: it's really easy for some just to blame the escalating cases on those not following the rules, when I'm confident they're not the biggest problem and anyone blaming them hasn't looked into it properly. I don't know how bad it is numerically, although from observations I've seen it cannot be anywhere near as much a virus spreading cause as schools being open, where across the UK around 10 million pupils and 500,000 teachers interact 5 days a week for at least 6 hours a day, plus all the interactions with their households. Then there's all the University interactions and related movements and businesses where working from home isn't possible. I also believe not all rule breaking is deliberate as for some self-isolation is unaffordable for some so to them the virus is the least of their worries if they get it. In any case I still believe rule breaking is in minority although higher than in the spring, but fatigue is ultimately going to be an issue we can't really allow to get worse any longer.
While criticism of Government handling is much more united (i.e. more criticism than support), it's on two different fronts: the opposition unsurprisingly is criticising doing everything late, and/or half hearted on one side and mixed/confusing messaging, then Government backbenchers, media outlets who normally support the current Government and groups of the population disapproving of the strategy on the grounds of being unsustainable and/or against civil liberties on the other side.
My thinking is a more sustainable strategy should be pursued, that in theory should greatly reduce the whole rule breaking issue, something many other users here from other threads appear to want as well. I'm hoping that with infection levels currently appearing to be declining right now in this wave that, should this hopefully continue, calls for a change in approach will increase and maybe the whole rule-breaking problems will subside with it, while in any case the longer this goes on the more there'll be questioning the whole approach, especially now we know of a vaccine (however effective it is) is out there.
What are others' thoughts and possible experiences on how much society is divided on this issue and how it can be rectified?