Opinion: ‘Crisis is no longer distant: It is here’

Even with the best high definition screen, events shown on the news can seem far away: war, devastation and crisis may seem distant, someone else’s problem.

It’s quite another when you step out onto the high street and find that there are patrols now watching for compliance with coronavirus rules.

This is where we are at. I am simultaneously pleased and unhappy that we now have patrols on the streets of Peterborough monitoring compliance with government rules. I wish this wasn’t necessary: however, I fear it is. Some of the “lockdown fatigue” is attributable to the length of time we have had to be careful: constraint creates an impulse to be free from it. After a long drive, it’s satisfying to switch off the engine and hear the click of the seatbelt as it is removed.

Wearing a mask is inconvenient to some: I have little doubt that some people have made a trip to a store only to find they accidentally left theirs at home.

We also have had confusing guidance on what it is that we should be doing. Freedom is often binary: you either are free or you are not. We are dealing with a far more nuanced situation in which freedom to go and do this is allowed but according to a strict set of criteria. Is it possible to remember them all? Clearly some people are struggling.

Hence, coronavirus cases are rising in many parts of Britain. Hence, we have the patrols on our streets. I do not envy their task as they make their way through our neighbourhoods on these autumn days of increasing darkness. I think as the festive season approaches, our end of year wishes should be focused on finding more therapeutic treatments for those afflicted, and a vaccine so that we can return to some sense of normality.

I would like to encourage everyone, individual citizens, businesses and other organisations, to do their best to comply with the regulations, as complex as they may be. Until such time as science catches up to our needs, we will have to stick to what science tells us. Perhaps we also should take the time to distil the advice into a simpler, clearer message: the virus is spread by people, the more people that are together, the more likely it is that the virus will spread. The best way to stop it from spreading is for people to stay apart, create barriers to its transmission.

This means sticking to social distancing. This means wearing masks. It also means reducing the likelihood of its transmission by washing one’s hands frequently and thoroughly. This advice applies no matter where one is or what one is doing.

We may be tempted to think that because the rates of mortality from COVID-19 are less among the young that they have to worry less: they may have to worry less as individuals, but what about the people with whom they may come in contact? Furthermore, not all pre-existing conditions which make the virus fatal may be known to the victim themselves.

None of this is easy. There will be a hard period ahead. The lights and cheer of the upcoming holiday season will be dimmed. Carols may be streamed over the internet. The patrols will no doubt be making their way down Lincoln Road in the reflected glow of Christmas trees. But this too will pass. Yes, crisis is no longer distant: it is here. But we will make it through.