Is no one even a little concerned about the intrusion and removal of freedoms?

[DoubleAction]

I know needs must and we're in a real crisis situation but it does make me a little uneasy to see how easy it has been to remove all freedoms.

The real shocker for me today was the text messages. I've spent the last year or so working on GDPR stuff and all the "threats" associated with that. Who gave the government all our numbers?!

I know it's insignificant in the scheme of things now but is it right that it's so easy?

The text message was done via the network suppliers- our numbers weren’t “shared with the government”.
The two years worries me- more from the idea that perhaps they expect that this within will last as long as two years...terrifying.

Freedom?

I'm not sure that's what we had before.....

No, I'm pleased that finally, action is being taken and in some ways feel more protected than previously.

There will always be those that are anti authoritarian, but I have lived in a country that was a police state and the people are happier, less crime and there's much more of a respect for Keith and kin.

I see this as a good move.

It does feel like they have a lot of control over us

'They' asked us nicely and we didn't co-operate, in fact we still aren't, look at that bbq with 20 people attending today? £30 fine? Hardly being locked up in a cage on the back of a truck is it being sent a text for our own good ffs

I am ! Look how quickly things are changed.

www.spiked-online.com/2020/03/20/our-liberty-must-not-be-a-casualty-of-covid-19/

This article may interest you, OP.

but there haven't been demonstrations or large groups of people questioning it.

Jeez, probably would be the same lot having the bbq 🤦

Yes, it concerns me.

😂 at the idea of BJ pouring over our mobile numbers!
It’s been quite openly reported they are sent via phone companies as there is no emergency text system in place for the government to text directly.
Not bothered about the other measures right now no.

Yes and No.

Realistically it needed to happen, no one is listening and I'm not a major BoJo fan but he did tell us. It is for the best.

Does make me realise they could use a lot more resources then they currently do to stop knife crime/gang crime etc if they really wanted to, or wanted to invest in I should say. But I have been in self isolation for nearly 2 weeks so dont mind me...

I'm more concerned about the fuckwits that aren't listening to be honest.

Lol at 'the government' having our phone numbers!

No I'm not bothered at all. It's nothing compared to what some countries have done, tracking via messaging apps, insisting that temperatures of recorded daily etc etc.

I'm surprised by how quickly it has all happened. In the space of a week I've gone from a fairly normal life to being in lockdown. I get why it has happened but it's still a shock as to how quickly the changes have happened

No.

I’ve been peripherally involved for 13 years in pandemic planning and almost all government plans I’ve heard include these measures at some point in the modeled spread of the virus.

Although ten years ago I don’t think there was such a fetishising of ‘rights’ and a bit more talk about ‘responsibility.’

I think it’s more a reflection of our current obsession with ‘speaking power’ to anything that moves, rather than thinking ‘yes, here are some people that know more than I do and want to protect as many people as possible, it’s probably a good idea to listen.’

Not necessarily an age thing tho; I think my DF would genuinely die happy if he thought he’d stuck one to Boris by disobeying him.

It concerns me, but what concerns me more is what this has revealed about the lack of social cohesion and so many people's unwillingness to change their habits for the sake of a common good.

No

I have a lot of respect for Keith and kin too

I had this thought while I was walking our dog, scary how any government could in theory for any reason have so much control over a whole population.

not really at this point as its temporary and for good reason

I am, I find it worrying

Nope

@Yeafortwo I ma in ireland and I didn't get a text.

I haven't left my house in two weeks. Nearly everything is closed.

And now we have been told that it will go on for three more weeks

So yes they DO have a lot of control

No I’m not concerned, it’s the right thing to do.

The government haven’t been handed your mobile phone number, all UK network providers were required to send that message to everyone they supply services to.

But yes it is that easy to take our freedom away. There are plenty of countries around the world where the citizens have very little freedom because they’re ruled by authoritarian governments and/or they’re at war. Millions of people around the world have no influence on how they get to live their daily lives and live in greater fear than being fined for being outside.

That’s not what this is though, it’s a government trying to protect its people, it’s health service and the future standard of living for us all. None of us has lived through a pandemic before and very few of us have experienced war so that’s why this all feels so very shocking.

If ever there was a reason for being grateful to live in a democratic country it’s this and that’s why it’s so important to engage in politics and understand how important our government are.

I have never supported the Conservative party and have cried every time they’ve got in to government but I am heartened by the fact that when it comes down to it even the people you think are the worst do the right thing in a crisis.

Okay maybe a bit too late and let’s not include Trump in that category but you know what I mean

No. Needs must unfortunately

No. Not now.

I am very concerned but I think for now we just need to do whatever we need to do to stop this, save as many lives as we can and do our best to keep everyone fed, housed, safe and sane until we come out the other side.

The important thing is that whatever emergency laws are brought in now, they are strictly time limited so they can't just become the new normal.

I think the text messages are already covered under GDPR - either under 'vital interests' or 'public task'.

There's lots of info relevant to CV on the ICO website:

ico.org.uk/