Thread by @firefoxx66

1/ I don't understand leaders announcing they don't want a second lockdown.

Nobody wants a 2nd lockdown. But saying it is meaningless & making promises to your populace that may cost lives to keep.

Actions speak louder: just do what's necessary to avoid a 2nd lockdown. #COVID19

2/ I feel like we're stuck on a roundabout of leaders announcing how things will or will not be. Haven't they noticed yet that *this isn't how it works*?

Want schools back? Get cases down, make schools safe. Want more re-opening? Up #TestTraceIsolate & source PPE

#SARSCoV2

3/ At the end of the day, it's actions that matter. And you hurt your own people when you set expectations that you may not be able to deliver. Saying "social distancing might end in November" creates hope that may be dashed - after so many have already gone through so much.

4/ Roughly a million years ago, in Feb, I wrote a thread about the importance of Govts "preparing the public, to allow the public to prepare themselves". This is *still important*. The expectations set by leaders *matter* to long-term well-being.

https://twitter.com/firefoxx66/status/1233666682759106560

5/ We've got a *HUGE* ask on the table right now: we need you, the public, to keep wearing a mask, keep social distancing, keep being alert - but not for another week or 2 - for possibly many more months.

If we aren't up front about that we damage trust when it happens.

6/ So please - leaders - stop making empty promises & focus your energy on doing what must be done to *prevent* the thing you don't want.

Don't be tempted by short-term stock bounces or popularity bumps - we're playing the long game here - let's act like it. #COVID19 #SARSCoV2