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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Voice of the People

Voice of the People: If you flout coronavirus lockdown you're traitor to national cause

Congratulations and thanks to all those who are following social distancing rules this weekend.

It is not easy to stop at home when we are blessed with the rare treat in Britain of glorious weather at Easter.

You are not only saluting the heroic efforts of NHS staff on the frontline but also joining in the national fight against an invisible enemy with more destructive potential than any the world has ever faced.

If you are among the selfish minority flouting the rules there is, bluntly, only one thing we can say. You should be condemned as traitors to the national cause.

We are all keen for the lockdown to be over.

But impatience will not make the virus go away.

A clear, coherent exit strategy is needed. Both to suppress the spread of the virus and to map a way out of the crisis.

We are, on the whole, heeding the government advice on social distancing. That is the first step.

The advice is right, and there are the first glimmers that it may be working.

But that will not, in itself, show us the way out of lockdown. And any premature lifting of the restrictions will risk a deadly second wave.

Was the Government too slow to act on supplies of masks, gloves, gowns and ventilators? (Getty Images)

It pains us to criticise the Government at a time of crisis.

But failures are becoming clear and, without wishing to score any political points, justifiable questions need to be asked.

Was the Government too slow to act on supplies of masks, gloves, gowns and ventilators?

Has it been truthful about shortages?

Or even about the death rates, which do not include the tragic figures from care homes?

Questions for a future inquiry.

Now ministers need to show us what is being done to lead us to an effective and safe exit.

Ditching lockdown because that is what an annoyed public is clamouring for would show a lack of leadership.

Downing Street must admit that the only way, as experts agree and experience in other countries has shown, is for a mass testing programme that shows the enemy in retreat and a scaled end to lockdown.

For now, a Happy virtual Easter.

 
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