Too many people are seeing social distancing as optional

Crowds enjoying the reopening of pubs on Saturday - and seemingly forgetting about social distancing

We have seen all-too-often large gatherings of people enjoying the good weather, seemingly oblivious to the dangers they pose to themselves and worse others, with lack of social distancing.

Social distancing, it seems, is seen by many as optional.

There lies the national dilemma. Do you impose strict lockdown measures backed by punitive action for non-compliance, or rely on good sense and cooperation of citizens to take personal responsibility?

Unfortunately, when you are taking about thousands of lives lost including those of front-line workers, could we afford to take the risk of relying on individual good sense rather than strict enforcement?

During the War, with lives at risk, did we strictly enforce, or rely on personal freedoms?

No panic buying at shops, it was ration books then.

I and the other two million people self-isolating are not alone in fearing their looking forward to enjoying a easing of lockdown may be compromised by a reimposition of such restrictions. Many others wanted to return to work, leisure, education, and meet family and friends too.

Do we really want more businesses to fail, more jobs to be lost, less schooling and blighted futures for too many, longer waiting lists for non-coronavirus treatments and more pressures on front-line staff?

Such a disappointing situation, adding to the already huge number of deaths, can be addressed if we stand back and exercise a little more caution while enjoying more freedom.

It is understandable that after weeks of restrictions, people were going to get out on the fresh air enjoying the fine weather and perhaps overlook the warnings of possible resumption of lockdown measures if social distancing were not maintained.

But, do we want our city to be another Leicester, or do we need to protect ourselves and others, as the lessons from their outbreak are highlighted and hopefully learnt.

We must not jump to premature conclusions of course, but social distancing and personal hygiene seems to be the core strategy of most countries, including shielding of the elderly and vulnerable.