Johns Hopkins Medical Centre - World Coronavirus infection Map by Country.

[Marco]

I agree. But then why wouldn’t you want to take basic precautions to try and limit the spread of the disease, just in case?

If wearing a mask helps save one life, then that’s a good thing, surely?

Yes, if I actually thought it worked in a majorly significant way! The problem is, I don't, and I haven't seen any convincing evidence to date that proves (to me) otherwise. Remember that the vast majority of folk are simply wearing 'face coverings', in order be compliant, not proper N95 masks, which *are* genuinely effective.

The other thing, which I've said many times before, I abhor anything that *I* consider isn't warranted becoming mandatory in a supposedly free country, and so aside from anything else, I'll be predisposed to sticking two fingers up to that, purely out of principle, regardless of anything else!

Marco.

[Marco]

wearing seatbelts, drink driving laws, cars fit for purpose.. all sensible or over reaction?

Wearing seatbelts I consider is justifiably mandatory. Drink-driving laws ditto, although the complete ban enforced in Scotland I think goes too far, as it penalises the vast majority of people who are perfectly capable of enjoying a pint or a glass of wine along with a meal, whilst staying well within the limits [count me in].

As usual, the braindead idiots, who can't control themselves, spoil things for the majority!

What about the smoking ban? Even as a non-smoker and someone who considers it a filthy habit and can't stand smelling cigarette smoke, I still consider the outright ban of smoking in pubs as grossly unfair and heavy-handed. IMHO, the situation could've been managed so much better and made fairer to accommodate the legitimate human rights of (considerate) smokers.

Marco.

[Macca]

Absolutely not. I've seen the results of not wearing seat belts.

yes but the consequences are on the individual not anyone else. By the same logic we should ban mountain-climbing, skiing, boxing etc etc because the consequences can all be terrible.

[Beobloke]

What about the smoking ban? .

One of the best things ever to happen in this country, IMHO.

[Macca]

One of the best things ever to happen in this country, IMHO.

Or one of the most sickeningly authoritarian misuses of power ever. Depending on your point of view...

[Marco]

I'll go with your description, even as a staunch non-smoker. What happened there was fundamentally wrong and shouldn't have been allowed.

Marco.

[Macca]

It's really nothing to do with me being a smoker, it's the principle of the government getting involved in areas of life where it has no business to be involved.

[Marco]

I fully agree, and it sets a dangerous precedent when draconian cack like that is simply allowed to happen with such little resistance - and in that respect important parallels can be drawn with some other freedoms people are too weak-willed and ready to relinquish, as a result of the government using this pandemic as a justified excuse for such....!

Significantly increased surveillance and restrictions in freedom of movement being but two, which will undoubtedly become the 'new normal', simply because the sheeple don't have the belly to fight it, and moreover, are all too happy to live their superficial lives on Smartphones, and be spied upon and controlled accordingly.

Marco.

[Beobloke]

Given the desperate stupidity of vast tracts of the population, I'm generally fairly agnostic about measures being implemented to attempt to control this stupidity and minimise the adverse effects of it on others.

As to being spied upon - if you're not doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about!

[Marco]

As to being spied upon - if you're not doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about!

Indeed, but that kind of misses the point. It's the *principal* behind it, which allows such, that's the point. And the more 'on grid', tech-driven your life is, the more open you are to potentially having your freedoms and privacy infringed.

People are simply too predisposed to acquiescing to authority, rather than rebelling against it, and personally I'd like to see that situation redressed, and a greater equilibrium restored between compliance and justified protestation.

Freedom of thought is being eroded more than ever now by the 'powers that be', and we must not allow that trend to continue!

Marco.