The public has always shown remarkable patience and fortitude amid the pandemic.
That resilience is going to be tested still further now that the Government has imposed new restrictions in England.
Ministers had no option but to act when faced with a rise in cases and the risk of a deadly second wave. No doubt the vast majority of people will continue to abide by the rules for the greater good.
But they will rightly ask why the Government has failed to get to grips with the crisis.
Even Boris Johnson had to admit the guidance had been “complicated and confusing.”
It is not just messaging which has been a mess. Test and Trace is still not working properly and the mobile app never materialised.
So it is hardly surprising few will have faith the Prime Minister can deliver on his plans to roll out a scheme of fast-track mass testing.
People will be more willing to make sacrifices if they think the Government is in control of events rather than being buffeted by them.
Learn from 80s
Those who lived through the 80s know the scars left by mass unemployment.
The brutal policies of Margaret Thatcher, which put millions on the dole.
We now stand on the precipice of a similar tragedy after the ravages of the pandemic.
Tens of thousands have lost their jobs and that could rise to millions when furloughing finishes at the end of October. So we are starting our fight to Keep Britain Working.
We are joining Labour politicians led by Gordon Brown in calling for urgent action.
The situation could not be more serious or urgent. The Tories failed a generation in the 80s – they cannot be allowed to fail today.
Gong wrong..
So, President Donald Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
What next? Jacob Rees-Mogg winning Mr Universe? The Dominic Cummings Safe Driving Award? Or maybe the Boris Johnson Integrity in Politics medal?
