Thread by @shaunjlawson

Free societies only function effectively when the citizens act within the law, with respect for and responsibility towards each other.

The UK govt has broken that social contract many times over. But so have the unvaccinated (except those who can't be so for medical reasons).

It's not about "there's only a small risk to me; I'll take my chances thanks". It's entirely about increasing the risk to everyone else.

It's also about overwhelming hospitals with unvaccinated people - so others with life-threatening conditions die.

If you've actively chosen to endanger others through your own choices of refusing the vaccine (unless, I re-emphasise, your health means you can't be vaccinated) and/or refusing even to wear a mask, you don't get to stamp your feet and whine about consequences.

Because YOU'VE broken the social contract. You've shown you don't care a jot about the rest of society, only about yourself... so society owes you nothing.

I feel completely differently about those who are immunocompromised. I'm deeply concerned about what governments across the world can do to ensure they aren't penalised, isolated, harassed, abandoned because they can't have the vaccine. Public policy must account for this.

But liberty does not function by impinging on and undermining the liberty of everyone else. If someone isn't free to enter a space because YOUR actions endanger them, that's not freedom. It's tyranny.

Rights and freedoms under the law actually operate by consensus.

"You look out for me, I look out for you".

If the same me me me arguments had been made regarding the smallpox vaccine, thereby allowing it to spread and kill unabated, what would the response have been?

And what's so telling about the most rabid anti-vaxxers is as follows.

When so much as asked to don a mask, they respond with abuse.

They call those who believe in science and act with responsibility towards others 'sheep'.

They protest outside hospitals and spread vile, often antisemitic, always utterly unhinged conspiracy theories.

None of the most extreme lot are remotely interested in taking care of anyone at all other than themselves.

It's their entire world view which should be rejected, and they themselves treated with absolute contempt.

That's how civilised societies survive.

By protecting the weak (which the Tories have wilfully failed to do for over a decade), listening to reason and evidence in both policy and in the courts, and by treating callous nonsense and extreme selfishness with the disdain it deserves.

In the UK, most have done this.

Polls have constantly shown huge public support for stronger measures and, at times, for total lockdowns. Most of the public have behaved responsibly.

But they are imperilled by the minority. Who are loud, brazen, yobbish, oafish, and utterly callous.

Those guilty of that deserve to be shamed, not listened to and treated as though their ignorance is somehow equal to science's knowledge.

All of the above applies to such things as:

- Seatbelts, in cars and on aeroplanes
- Airport security checks
- Laws against driving under the influence or dangerous driving
- Health and safety
- Traffic lights

It's not just to protect you. It's to protect EVERYONE ELSE.

As with climate change, that this has actually become politicised tells us everything we need to know about some on the right nowadays.

These people couldn't care less if the entire world goes up in flames... as long as they get to do whatever they want.

Morally bankrupt doesn't even begin to cover it.