FROM THE EDITOR: Why tough action is welcome by the vast majority of us who follow the rules

If you flout the rules, we will shut you down. That is the message coming loud and clear from our council and police force today.
By Nancy Fielder
Published 8th Apr 2020, 11:36 BST
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I am sure most people will completely agree that businesses who are deliberately not following the lockdown rules should be punished.

The vast majority want action on this problem for all our sakes.

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The more people who are allowed to get away with it, the longer the rest of us will have to stay in our homes.

Norfolk Park, with Sheffield city centre as a backdrop, as the Coronavirus outbreak continues. Photo: Simon HulmeNorfolk Park, with Sheffield city centre as a backdrop, as the Coronavirus outbreak continues. Photo: Simon Hulme
Norfolk Park, with Sheffield city centre as a backdrop, as the Coronavirus outbreak continues. Photo: Simon Hulme

More importantly, the bigger the strain on our NHS and the more people will die.

It couldn’t be simpler and it couldn’t be more dangerous.

I think most of us are staggered that people can be so stupid as to sunbathe in public places at the minute.

I know more of us are angry at the business bosses who are putting their staff – and all of us – at risk through greed.

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Now is the time for them to join the vast majority of us in keeping safe and staying home so essential workers can go about their roles as safely as possible.

We have had many messages and calls from people who fear for their family because they or their relatives are being forced to work in what they believe are non-essential roles.

Our newsroom also gets information every day on firms which aren’t offering their workers the right protection and are expecting things from them which, if we stick to the rules, simply should not be happening.

I have honestly been staggered by the scale of this issue and it is clear that those who bother to call our newsroom are only doing it because they are genuinely afraid.

We can all help.

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We should only be buying essential items like food and medicine.

Just because you can order clothes from online stores does not mean it is ok. Think about the number of people who have to leave the safety of their own home to make such packages arrive at yours.

If you want to support local businesses, treat yourself to a delivered takeaway – and, as soon as we are back to normal, go shopping with the independents who will struggle just to get back on their feet. Until then we must all stop. This is a difficult time for everyone and businesses must fall into line.

Take care of yourself, your family and - if you run a business - please think of your employees more than anything.

Related topics:NHS