To think that governments have used COVID as a distraction from bigger issues on the horizon?

[ThisGreenLurker]

There were unprecedented restrictions, massive economic shifts and policies introduced under the guise of pandemic response… how much of it was about public health and how much was about quietly pushing through other agendas? Have we been too focused on COVID to see what’s coming next?

Like what ?

I don't think so. I think you give them too much credit. The response was so over the top and irrational that looking back, we just can't believe that governments would lockdown countries and grind the economy to a halt over something so mild, and thus look for ulterior motives beyond panic and government by focus group and public opinion.

I would say every government in the world used the worldwide pandemic to steer public attention away from domestic problems!😂

Sorry... is it 2022 again?

Things like erosion of civil liberties, sweeping digital surveillance laws and long-term economic changes (e.g. shifts in housing, public services or small business closures) come to mind. I’m not saying it was all intentional or sinister but I do wonder if some policies were opportunistically passed during a time when most people were too overwhelmed to notice.

Maybe in some countries. I live in Mexico and felt I could trust our government but following UK news from afar, I found it odd that top government officials didn't follow their own advice, very suspicious

How many world leaders remained in power? The post-pandemic inflation saw most of them off. Putin had to resort to invading another country (again) to distract from the economic mess his country was in.

The one thing I took away from Covid was how alike people are. I grew up on stories from Nazi ruled Europe of how quickly people called the authorities on their friends and neighbours. I never thought I would see it in in the UK but lockdowns brought out the worse in people .

The rules for a lot of these things came from a medical body that let power go to their heads I think one of their predictions had the UK population wiped out in months.

We had the 2m distancing at work in break times but then had us working literally shoulder to shoulder during work hours.

Most of the rules didn’t make an iota of sense

Pandemics happen. Always have always will.

No-one can really tell what's coming next over the horizon. You can plan for imaginary scenarios but Life has a way of pulling a surprise on us.

Sure Politicians will l bury bad news whenever they can, nothing new there, but it's all on the hoof as it were rather than orchestrated or planned well in advance.