I’m going to RT the views of two Twitter commentators whose views I respect. This from @SimonFRCox.
(PS I share Simon’s deep suspicion of both Young’s motives and his funding, as well as noting his record of poor judgment.)
But also this from @rolandmcs.
Where am I on this? I agree with Simon that the cost of economic disruption will itself cost lives - and (as it always does) mostly the lives of the poor. And that cost grows over time.
But I also agree with Roland that more time gives the NHS and public health systems more capacity to respond (more staff/more understanding/more physical infrastructure/more technology).
There are two lines on a graph: and where they cross is going to be a huge question of judgment *for politicians* (ultimately). I just don’t know enough to give a view on when that will be.
Which isn’t to say that those expressing a firm view are wrong to do so: I just don’t feel able to do so myself.
So in the end, I just have to trust (or hope) that our system (politicians taking decisions on the basis of very good - though of course possibly wrong - expert advice, and subject to questioning and scrutiny by journalists, MPs and the Opposition) works.
It’s a deeply flawed system. But it’s what we have got; and it could be a lot worse.
And in the meantime do my bit by following the rules and advice and doing what I can to help.
PS - this is a persuasive response by @s8mb to @toadmeister’s arguments. Better than the “it’s Toby Young so must be wrong” response (tempting though that inductive reasoning may be).
