By Pablo de Ronda
You could be forgiven for thinking so, couldn’t you? Masks no longer a requirement (except in medical settings and on public transport), relaxed rules on social distancing and meeting up, no controls at many country borders and tourism and hostelería booming again.
But is it right that this is now the case?
The economy v. health and safety
Most governments (especially in Europe) have taken political decisions to shore up and revive their economies after two years of blight, perhaps at the expense of people’s lives and welfare.Citizens are still dying of the Coronavirus, although that no longer seems to hit the headlines.
Quarantine
And what ever happened to quarantine? Has that gone back to being only for animals?
The other day in our village we were in the square along with several other foreigners. At a café table sat a German lady, a regular visitor to the village, wearing a mask. “No need to wear a mask any longer,” I pointed out.
“I’ve tested positive for Covid,” came the reply, “I thought I’d better wear a mask.”
“Better that you stay at home,” I thought, but didn’t say out loud. Nor did anyone else, although it later came out that everybody present was outraged. Why did nobody say anything?
This lady is a mature, intelligent, professional person. A graduate and an upstanding citizen. She is also very wealthy, superior in her attitude and somewhat condescending, which was probably why nobody said anything, for fear of being talked down to.
I now regret that I didn’t express my concern at her presence in a public place!
What the hell was she playing at?
The post-Covid future
I hope, as a world society, we do not come to regret the speed with which we've gone back to "normal". Only time will tell.
© Paul Whitelock
Tags: Covid, Coronavirus, mask, quarantine, economy, health and safety, social distancing, tourism, hostelería