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?

[wanderings]

I am extremely concerned. It's very Orwellian. Perhaps I'll believe it's for the greater good afterwards; but right now, I'm extremely sceptical.

Also, as others have said, very concerned about the way social media (including Mumsnet, making the Daily Mail look tame) have bigged this up so much.

I think one reason many people have refused to take this seriously is because the media is always going on about some crisis or other; climate change, the millennium bug, the obesity crisis (now about to be much bigger), the Queen wearing her hat back to front; so to many people, it's been just another thing.

And I'm almost amused at the way Boris, who is normally a pariah on MN, is suddenly looked up to as if he's God, with MNetters hanging on his every word.

[Kinneddar]

I wouldnt be surprised if things get tightened up even further. Too many people are still ignoring what's been said. You only need to look at some of the threads on here with people looking for loopholes & trying to circumvent the rules.

I can see the government taking an even harder line if people cant follow the rules. It literally is a life & death situation

[BeijingBikini]

Also, all the people calling others "selfish".....isn't expecting other people to completely give up their life/freedom so YOUR husband doesn't get ill, a bit selfish? If you are vulnerable, self-isolate. But it's a bit entitled to expect the entire country to go into house arrest for your relatives. I wouldn't expect anybody to do that for my family.

For decades we have been told to look our for ourselves, our economic system is based on it, and now people are shocked if anyone wants to do just that.

[cushioncovers]

It has surprised me how quickly the 'new powers' to stop things, a new temporary hospital that can cope with 4,000 people and the money to pay 80% of people's wages has been sorted out. Normally things take years to change. Just goes to show what this country can do when it needs to.

[DowntownAbby]

No. Not concerned.

And if you've been working on GDPR then surely you'd know that sending a message to all mobile phones has absolutely nothing to do with GDPR.

Even if the government themselves had sent the message, rather than the service providers, it would still not be covered because the numbers alone would not identify anyone.

There is not even a tiny chance that the service providers sent names and addresses to the government so there's nothing to identify the user.

[AnotherMurkyDay]

Not worried that the government have my phone number though, no issue with the text message at all think it's a good way to contact people who, for whatever reason, have not been keeping up with the changes and make sure that everyone knows where they stand

[LouLouLoo]

I’m more concerned about people dying than my liberty at this moment in time.

[Shinyletsbebadguys]

I am concerned about the fact that it was morons who couldn't follow guidance that led to this.

First boris was lambasted for not doing enough, where he clearly warned over and over again that if people didn't behave with common sense then he would have to restrict.

Now I guarantee that some of the people who ignored the guidance are ones claiming sinister motives on restriction of movement.

We wouldn't have needed that if people had listened in the first place.

And to the pp claiming it's not as serious knock off the "it's a mild illness " crap. Think carefully about wards of 2000 in the fucking edexcel centre ? Are you stupid enough to think people likely to survive will be sent there?

Countries dont cripple themselves financially for a mild illness, its naive and ignorant at best and downright stupid to play this down. It's been debunked over and over again by reports direct from doctors and hospitals that this is a truly serious pandemic...so knock off the downplaying its offensive to every single person who has died or will die.

[rjebgf]

I think the networks sent the texts. Your network has your number.

No I am not remotely concerned at the government’s actions. I am far more concerned that people are ignoring the rules.

[JustAnotherPoster00]

Some people on these CV threads wont be happy until people are put into cattle cars and relocated to an obedience centre and armed soldiers on our streets, of course it will be their own fault for not listening to the government advice

[ScrumptiousBears]

Who gave the government all our numbers?!

[DoubleAction]

@Ginfilledcats surely it's not hard to think of something those in power gain by having complete control of the people? However I am not saying that's what's happening now, its just raised questions for me regarding how easy it would be if there wasn't a genuine reason.

[GabsAlot]

i thiik they need this with the riots tbh years ago i dont mind

[7Days]

Good God, Angel. You must have a very narrow social circle. No one in your family a doctor, no nurse among the school mums, no neighbour doling out dinners in the hospital canteen? Every one of them is bracing themselves against an Italy style disaster. And I'm sure they'll mention if nobody turns up.

[DowntownAbby]

Yes @cushioncovers it's been quite amazing how quickly things have happened.

It's obviously going to cost us dearly in monetary terms for many years to come but if throwing money at it is the solution then that's what they must do.

If it needs increased taxes to recover the situation then so be it. I will stand up and be counted when it comes to paying.

[Francina670]

It shows that we don’t ever truly have freedom and how quickly rights can be removed by authority. Ok in this case there are good reasons, but it could equally be done for other reasons.

I think it will inevitably change society in many ways. We probably will accept more state inference after this.

[Isitmyimagination]

So the “divide and conquer” strategy being quietly introduced. This is a genuine question - why and for what purpose? Or is it simply a case of it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck......it’s a duck.

[Maryann1975]

I wondered how long it would be until someone went on about our human right to freedom.
I would much rather loose all my freedoms for a few months than loose a family member or close friend to this virus. Surely you have someone you love in the ‘vulnerable’ category? Every time I think about my extremely vulnerable dgm in her locked down care home. I cry. She’s had no visitors for over a week which will have left her even more confused than normal. If she catches this, she will be alone in hospital and if the worst happens, the whole family probably won’t even be able to go to her funeral (other vulnerable people/distance involved/numbers).
I couldn’t give a shit about ‘freedom’ at the moment. I hope the police do fine those taking unnecessary journeys and breaking the rules. And I couldn’t care less if it puts them in debt or for repeat offenders gives them a criminal record. They will deserve it.

[Ginfilledcats]

But I don't understand what you think they would get?
Money? There will be less of it around due to unemployment.
Support for their party? Not bloody likely.
Control? Of what? If there's no money no one will be able to do anything anyway.

[definitelygc]

There is not even a tiny chance that the service providers sent names and addresses to the government so there's nothing to identify the user.

The state already has all our names and addresses! Anyone who does a tax return will have entered their mobile number. They also have access to terabytes of data on our internet browsing history. Internet service providers are required by law to provide this information to any government department who needs access to it. I feel like I'm in a parallel universe here.

[HarrietThePi]

I believe what is being done at the moment is for the best, but yes I do have many concerns. Not about the texts though, for the same reasons given by pp's.

[middleager]

No. I'm scared of my asthmatic child catching it. And my parents.

And I'm scared of starving, riots and the selfish superspreaders who keep going up the park for ice cream or round garden centres.

I'm not scared of staying in or the Govt having my data.

[DoubleAction]

I've never said they're gaining anything now Ginfilledcats but there are plenty of leaders in the world's past who have controlled the population for their own gain.

[Bearbehind]

I suspect there is a very strong correlation between those who are concerned about how their data is being used in this situation and those who think the lockdown rules don’t apply to them 🤔

[lakeswimmer]

To a certain extent - yes.

I think there will be other affects which will be far reaching and which need to be balanced against the impact of the illness; decimation of the economy, job loss, isolation, mental health problems, suicide, domestic abuse.

What I'm finding fascinating and bit alarming is how quickly behaviour can be changed if you say to people that something is dangerous or socially unacceptable. It could be misused very easily.