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?

[thegreylady]

I would be more concerned if it hadn’t happened. It would not have been necessary if people had observed social distancing advice in the first place. Instead the roads etc in Wales, Cornwall etc are packed and selfish idiots with second homes have decamped to areas without hospital capacity should they become ill.

[GinnyStrupac]

I am extremely concerned, definitely. It goes against all my principles. I am finding it hard to believe that it has come to this. But it has. It is unfortunately essential. I actually think that Boris did too little too late last night. I think restrictions on travel outside our local areas should be tighter. Some people still think it's ok to drive for miles into rural communities for essential exercise. The government needs to be clearer on this. Too many vague and mixed messages.

[Cornishclio]

The text messages were sent by the phone companies so I don't suppose they gave the government all our numbers.

At the moment I am more fearful of this virus and how many more lives it will take and how long it will take to get back to normal than worrying about the curtailment of our freedom. I can see why it is being done as there are far too many selfish, thoughtless people in this country who are only looking out for number one.

[VivaLeBeaver]

No.

[Isitmyimagination]

@angell84 ..... really? My son is currently treating people gasping for breath, as I speak. Another person will pass away tonight.

[spacewitch99]

@HandBellender

“It's a mild illness. The economic effects will be far worse than the illness. And the mental health crisis resulting from isolation/loneliness/anxiety will be a problem for years to come.”

Do you have a medical qualification? I can assure you that this is NOT a mild illness.......

[Aderyn19]

Of course governments lie butI don't actually think they wantsl millions of people to die. Now I'm not saying they care about me more than they care about me more than the economy, which is why I consider these measures to not be tough enough, but not spreading this virus is in their best interests as well as mine. They aren't totally protected by being in govt - they can die as much as any of us can!

[rwalker]

Not at all they've not done it to make the place look tidy .

[TooTrueToBeGood]

There is a very "follow the leader and do what he says" style in England.
As opposed to, say, the American style where half the population honestly believe their own democratic government is their biggest threat and yet vote in a narcissistic, certifiable moron as POTUS?

[LaurieFairyCake]

NO

Because it's the Tories whom I disagree with on just about EVERYTHING!!!

And they have :

NATIONALISED THE RAILWAYS !!!

And

PAYING PEOPLE TO NOT WORK !!!

So we MUST be about to ALL DIE

[Otterseatpuffinsdontthey]

Be grateful we don't have Italian, French or Spanish style policing here - they don't mess around! Perhaps that's what the selfish fools in this country are needing. Have a look online for the British (it would have to be, wouldn't it) woman holidaymaker who decided she was not going to comply with the lockdown, and went for a swim in the "taped off" hotel pool (Tenerife).

[BeijingBikini]

I am definitely concerned.

[feelingverylazytoday]

No. In fact I think they should go further.

[endofthelinefinally]

We should be far more worried about Google IMO.

[hamsterchump]

Yes terrified. Freedom has worth. I can't believe people are still calling for more control and punishment and asking how to report on their neighbours. It beggars belief but a hell of a lot of history makes a hell of a lot more sense now. Frightened people are terrifying and unpredictable. I wasn't scared before but I am now.

[rwalker]

posted too soon
sort of get what your saying .The reason it sail through was the seriousness of why it was needed .

[SquishySquirmy]

Yes, very.

I DO think the measures are necessary, but I am still concerned.

I also feel we are being manipulated to get furious at other members of the public so we don't get angry at the government.
Yes, some people are idiots but less than two weeks ago we were being told that Cheltenham was absolutely no risk. It is a huge mental shift, and not everyone is coming to realise the severity of the situation at the same speed. It should not be surprising that not everyone has caught up.
The harsher measure introduced last night are not because of people acting like idiots over the weekend, they were coming anyway but photos of people being daft make a handy scapegoat.

I worry that we are being stirred up for another reason - there is not the official manpower to enforce the lockdown, so they will rely on public anger instead - yay, mob justice!
Queue up here for your pitchforks and torches! But mind you keep a safe distance in that queue!

If so it's a very risky strategy for the government to take, and it could go very wrong.

The enthusiasm for martial law and the readiness to denounce one's neighbour for double dog walking is disconcerting too. Never mind the stupid posts about "I've seen people I've never seen before in the field I walk my dog!!!" (Yes, because those people used to exercise elsewhere, they no longer can, and you don't own any more rights over the field than them just because you "got there first")

Most people are just confused, sad, and very very scared.
In general less anger and more empathy would be good.

I certainly don't want to underestimate the seriousness of the virus, but these measures should not be underestimated either.

I just hope that all these governments around the world hand back all the extra powers and surveillance once we are out the other side....

[Ginfilledcats]

But what do "they stand to gain" but doing it for "no good reason" or a "fabricated" reason OP? This radical course of action will most likely crash the economy hike up unemployment, cause an educational catastrophe. Why would they do it all again ? Take your tinfoil hat off, try not to scare yourself by over thinking this. It's necessary due to the catastrophic impact of this health pandemic. Save lives

[BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou]

No one gave our numbers to anyone. The phone companies sent out the message to their customers at the request of of the government.

I am not worried about the removal of liberty but I am shit scared of this disease and whether I will ever see my daughter (currently several hundred miles away at university) again. I don’t want to catch it, I don’t want my son or DH to catch it. I AM SCARED but not because I’ve been told to stay at home.

[Dashel]

Some of the British public behaved like strays, ignored all advice and went on jollies.

This is the first time in generations that we have been forced to do something for the greater good and no I don’t mind that’s, it’s the least we can do. I see videos of NHS workers who won’t see their families for months as their spouse or child is at risk and they don’t want to pass it on. I see stories of the drs and nurses in intensive care and putting themselves in dangers.

The people working long hours and taking abuse in the supermarkets and also being at risk and other key workers at risk. So what do some of us do? We ignore the advice, look for loopholes and worry about freedoms being taken away? Grow the hell up and do everything you can to help and if that’s just staying at home then stay at home! It’s not like we are being called up to serve in a war or fight in trenches or even work in the hospitals.

[HerRoyalCarbyLess]

No. It needed to happen. It should have happened sooner.

As for the conspiracy nut, ok, so there's no virus? What the fuck is killing people then? What are doctors, nurses and HCAs fighting against?

[definitelygc]

I'm frankly amazed that people are worried that the government has our phone numbers. They have access to our individual internet browsing history for the past year and have the power to intercept all of our communications. The government having a list of our phone numbers is the least of my concerns!

[CrowleysBentley]

I was concerned when the coronavirus bill was being pushed through, that they intended it to last for 2 years, less so now that it has to be renewed after 6 months. I'll be even less concerned if the idea of a cross party government being brought in for the duration of the crisis that I've seen reported as a possibility, actually happens.

[AnotherMurkyDay]

I am worried that they might use this to erode our liberties and chip away at human rights longer term, yes. But I am starting to wonder if maybe we need more government intervention not less. Do people really know what's best for them? I'm not so sure.