Some countries can enforce a lockdown - eg: China - they have the political will and a population which is compliant when ultimately confronted by the prospect of prison camp or worse.
In the UK, and to a slightly lesser extent most of western Europe, policing is by consent. Putting the military on the streets would fundamentally change the nature of our democracy.
Compliance by consent means that a return to a full lockdown is likely only to create civil unrest - the poll tax riots would seem trivial by comparison.
We know the virus can be controlled through lockdown albeit at great cost. Government communication of the consequences of letting the virus take its course must not fall short of explaining very graphically the possible consequences.
IMHO separating the old and vulnerable from the rest of the community will only be partially effective however stringent the disease prevention controls. If lockdown is not an option we have to accept the consequence.
|