Coronavirus restrictions: are they legal

[savvypaul]

I can't see any government paying out billions in grants, wiping out debts and raising borrowing to the highest level since WW2...unless they really had to. The only thing I'd complain about, right now, is that key workers aren't always getting all the PPE they should.

Mass testing is the way out. It sounds like the government were caught napping but are now desperate to catch up.

[Docfoster]

I'm complying with the rules that are being imposed upon me by the UK Government because I am being forced / coerced to do so.

I am never comfortable when governments grab power and impose this power.

Especially when the power is ethically or legally questionable.

Looking at history, governments do not have a good track record when their attitude is more one of "The people are the servants of the government" instead of the "The government is the servant of the people."

Coronavirus is Coronavirus. Plagues and epidemics are a tragic part of living on this planet.
This epidemic will come and go. For sure it makes sense to modify our behaviour to minimise the loss of life. But should these modifications be imposed in the way the UK Government has been doing?

And even if they should, this epidemic reveals the true nature of the relationship of the people of the UK and their government.
It's not one that I'm happy with. I am not happy when the people in government treat me and everyone else as their servants / slaves / pawns to do their bidding.

I am not happy when the government creates conditions where over-zealous or corrupt officials are let off the leash.

This sacrifice for a greater cause rhetoric has been used before. For example 1914 to 1918.

But then, the “greater good” was abstract notions of “king and country”. Today it’s the very real capacity of our health care system to safeguard the weakest human beings in our society.
Back then the “greater good” was a lure for a young man to increase his risk of death by a thousand fold while living in a trench far from home. To compare that with what we’re being asked to do today does not help the libertarian argument.

More principally, freedom will never be absolute outside of anarchy. The state will always impose restrictions. Indeed, that’s one of its primary functions. What matters is how those restrictions are decided and enforced.
In our country they should be decided via legislation by a democratically elected parliament. The government’s bill was passed last week. Like you, I’m unsure that all of the “recommendations” are covered by the legislation. I’d like to feel surer about that.
Also, your point about police actions is well made. Police should always act only in accordance with legislation. This has not always been the case over the past week, and the police hopefully will be doing even better as time goes on.
Personally I think that in the current circumstances the balance between life and liberty is about right (though as an uneducated layperson I’d like the legislation better specified). This is a very personal balance though. People will have their own sweet spots on that axis.
Given the legislation is covid-specific I am reassured that the legislation will be regularly reviewed.

[karatestu]

Slightly off topic but i find it quite disturbing that people would rather argue about the legality of the legislation recently rushed through parliament than wish each other well in the hell that is coming our way.

It is not only the old with underlying health issues that are going to die. I sincerely hope everbody here does all they can to prevent the spreading of this potentially fatal Chinese disease (Trump's words not mine). I wish you all good health, live long and prosper.

[Docfoster]

Slightly off topic but i find it quite disturbing that people would rather argue about the legality of the legislation recently rushed through parliament than wish each other well in the hell that is coming our way.

Yeah. Of course. Because we can only do one or the other. Impossible to do both.

[Daniel Quinn]

I would of thought trump said it, is a good reason not to repeat it.

[slinger]

Quick, before the Police catch us, and send us indoors, let's set fire to the 5G masts because of a lunatic scientist somewhere who posited that a virus emits radio waves, and someone on the internet (so it must be true) told people that COVID-19 was being controlled via the new 5G masts. Just when you think the great British public has reached the absolute depths of stupidity they find a hardware shop that's still open, steal a shovel, and dig down another f*cking six feet.

I really, really. wish I was joking about the 5G masts. People installing infrastructure have been abused and threatened, and so far at least 3 masts/installations have been set on fire. Because we haven't got enough lunatics running around loose, have we? And that's not counting the ones in the government.

[NSNO2021]

Some heartfelt posts on this page and ones I agree with, the 5g issue in particular is astonishing in its utter stupidity, it really frightening to think that this country has people that thick. I got a local example last night when loon about 7 houses up from threw a party complete with banging dance music and an illuminated disco ball and other outdoor lighting. It wasn't mobbed, I guess maybe 10 to 12. It lasted less than two hours before the police shut it down. No idea what action was taken against the host or his idiotic guests. Moron's

[CN211276]

A few eeediots racing motor bikes on the largely deserted roads near us.

[slinger]

Check these selfish bastards out... https://metro.co.uk/2020/04/05/thousands-ignore-lockdown-rules-enjoy-sunny-weather-12510443/

I was Googling, dangerous at the best of times, and came across this...

Reckless Conduct Endangering Life
- SECTION 22 OF THE CRIMES ACT 1958

Reckless conduct endangering life is a very serious offence that is laid in situations where a person recklessly engages in conduct that places, or may place, another person in danger of death without lawful excuse. This is a general endangerment offence which can cover a wide variety of offending.

I could make that fit. DQ, a professional opinion would be welcome.

[valvesRus]

A few eeediots racing motor bikes on the largely deserted roads near us.

Perhaps they were going to a distant shop for essential supplies, or visiting a dependent relative ?