1/ The response to the ongoing pandemic in the short-term and a call for advocacy: 🧵
Tragically, it is my opinion that globally, we will see very little in the way of improved mitigations against infection being put into place in the short-term.
Tragically, it is my opinion that globally, we will see very little in the way of improved mitigations against infection being put into place in the short-term.
2/ Even the basic protections required - masking in health and social care facilities, masking on public transport, air filtration of public spaces - seem to be gaining no traction in most parts of the world. Without these basic protections, people who are vulnerable...
3/... are essentially excluded from life.
This is not acceptable.
My feeling is that during the latter half of this year, some mitigations may be mandated again. There are two reasons for this. First, the erosion of healthcare capacity is an issue that will lose elections.
This is not acceptable.
My feeling is that during the latter half of this year, some mitigations may be mandated again. There are two reasons for this. First, the erosion of healthcare capacity is an issue that will lose elections.
4/ Thus politicians seeking to gain or retain power will have to address it. Erosion of healthcare adversely affects everyone, not just people concerned about Covid-19. Therefore it becomes a major electoral issue. It certainly will be in the UK and Ireland.
5/ Second, as more and more people drop out of the workforce due to Long Covid and other sequelae of infection, and sickness absences increase due to acute infection and sequelae, business will start to pressure governments. Notice how the business press is covering Covid.
6/ But, sadly, this is months away. We all need to do something now. Bismarck famously said, politics is the art of the possible. As such, I propose a grassroots campaign focussed on small, attainable goals.
7/ The focus of this campaign will be threefold:
(1) To reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a limited way
(2) To allow some participation in public life for those who are vulnerable and those who wish to avoid infection
(1) To reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a limited way
(2) To allow some participation in public life for those who are vulnerable and those who wish to avoid infection
8/ (3) To demonstrate to businesses that there is a profitable market for providing safe environments
As such, and with the knowledge that these campaigns must be both focussed and local, I intend to do the following:
As such, and with the knowledge that these campaigns must be both focussed and local, I intend to do the following:
9/ Contact every local supermarket and press for one hour per week in which mask-wearing is mandatory.
Contact every local taxi firm and ensure that all drivers will wear good-quality masks if requested to do so.
Contact every local taxi firm and ensure that all drivers will wear good-quality masks if requested to do so.
10/ Contact all local politicians and press for 'mask-only' carriages on certain train services.
Contact all privately owned local indoor arts spaces - cinemas, museums, galleries etc - and press for one slot per week with mandatory masking, or one performance.
Contact all privately owned local indoor arts spaces - cinemas, museums, galleries etc - and press for one slot per week with mandatory masking, or one performance.
11/ The idea is to ask for the minimum, because the minimum is hard to argue against. In my professional role, I understand the importance of profit. I suspect businesses don't realise there is an untapped market for what I propose.
12/ Comments and suggestions are very welcome, as this idea is still in its infancy.
There are hundreds of thousands of people who think like this on this platform. We need to stop talking and start acting /end
There are hundreds of thousands of people who think like this on this platform. We need to stop talking and start acting /end
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