Sunday Blog 8: March 29 2020

The Heart Of Government

Suddenly not only the prime minister, but the health secretary and the chief medical officer, the three who day after day told us what to do to save lives and stay safe, are themselves infected with the c-virus. This is rather shocking for two reasons. But first of all we must extend our sympathy to them and their now isolated families for what is by every account a nasty experience even when mild.

Having said that, the declaration that they continue to do their jobs, if true in fact and not a symbolic statement, is far from ideal. Decisions taken when ill are rarely the sharpest. We are also shocked because we naturally supposed that they, above all, knew what to do and were leading by example. Does it mean they ignored social distancing or that at they practiced it to the letter and still caught it? And how many lives will this contagion at the heart of our state cost?

The Gig Economy

The Gig Economy is perhaps the hardest hit by the lock down measures. Because of the informal nature of its record keeping and its opportunist MO, the Gig workers are the hardest to help with bailouts. Yet it may turn out to be the economy’s hidden strength. Anecdotal reports of adaptions and new services, much of it on line, are everywhere circulating. It would not be surprising that when the moment comes to light the fire of economic recovery, the spark will come from this fluid sector of inventive entrepreneurs.

Boris’s Letter

There is nothing in it that every household does not already know or feel. Whatever it is costing should be spent on the NHS. With all the communications platforms available to a government in a modern crisis, banging out pointless letters is absurd. Especially when the  project can help to spread the virus at every level of preparation and distribution. Churchill used the wireless, as it was then called. Even Trump does not send letters to millions. Dear Me.