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?

[Kuponut]

They are necessary measures - but it does make me feel uncomfortable seeing them implemented in UK society. MN, as usual with everything today, is making it into an either/or situation - you either don't appreciate how big a deal this is, or you're concerned about people's freedom - and apparently it's not possible to understand both sides of the equation and that it's a balancing act with having this shit in place for as short a period of time as possible, with checks in place that it can only be implemented in really extreme shit hitting fan situations like this one versus inviting Covid-19 in for a full on house party rampaging across the British Isles.

So no, I don't like it, and the horrific feeling of seeing announcements across UK TV screens forbidding us from leaving our homes still jars very violently in me... but it's what needs to be done right now.

I'll get bashed for both sides for daring to sit in the middle of this one though.

[emmcan]

Nope OP.

Nobody cares that there might never be another general election, that all freedom of assembly has been removed, that even freedom of religion has been removed. Because the whole country is Tory now, and worships Boris or Raab or whichever unelected twat takes their place without opposition.

[Disfordarkchocolate]

Not at all. Considering that the shops have been stripped and asking people to limit contact resulted in a queue to climb Snowdon I think it was inevitable and necessary.

[DowntownAbby]

@definitelygc my point was that GDPR was specifically mentioned and unless something tying the numbers directly to a person's other details was provided then it wouldn't be covered by GDPR.

No disputing the amount of data already held about us all.

[Gwenhwyfar]

Many people ARE concerned about the loss of civil liberties, BUT find that the measures are necessary at the moment. It's possible to see both sides.

[Zilla1]

Beijing, I'm not sure you've thought this through - why do you think we had ITU that in England is normally full before COVID presented? Who do you think normally need ITU and wouldn't be able to receive treatment if it's full with patients with COVID - I'll make it clearer - If COVID crashes the system then best hope you and your family don't have a RTA or fall down any stairs or have any of the other things happen that lead to otherwise healthy people needing ITU or any of the stages of the health system before that that will be stuffed full of patients with COVID.

[Cherrysherbet]

stupid post

[MaeveDidIt]

No what a stupid question.

[Marieo]

No, as has been said, the government asked network providers to text all active numbers, they didn't share any personal info with them. It went to everyone with a mobile, it wasnt a case of let's text Sarah from Brighton now.

[DoubleAction]

Now that is offensive Bearnehind. This household has been social distancing for the last 10 days. Apart from one key worker, no one has left the house except for one solo trip to the supermarket, a solo bike ride, one run with two of us and one short family walk. In ten days.

[Zilla1]

Regarding GDPR, my understanding is that in England, the main mobile networks sent genaralist messages to 'phones not based on personal information. The 'NHS' sent more tailored messages where people have given (usually their) GPs/primary care their contact details. Regarding shielding, primary care are currently working through more patient-specific communications again based on consent for mobile numbers previously supplied by the patient/their nominated representative.

[indemMUND]

This is hardly North Korea or Russia levels of control. This is necessary. I'm not concerned by the actions taken. I'm more concerned about the idiots who will continue to flout it and the very limited police numbers who will have try to enforce it.

[nocoolnamesleft]

I'm more concerned about dying. (Multiple underlying health problems, but not quite enough to buy me 12 weeks away from the hospital)

[whatistheworld]

pleased there is a time limit on legislation, unfortunately needs must and this country is full of a*holes that are risking peoples lives. (a lot of great people too!)

[Bearbehind]

So why, when you are going to those lengths, as requested, would you be bothered about people who are trying to help, having data that allows them to do so OP?

[cabbageking]

They just need to contact all the providers and say send this out to everyone you have records for.

There doesn't need to be any exchange of data.

[endofthelinefinally]

I think it is more worrying that society has broken down so much that it has come to needing legislation to deal with selfishness and idiocy.

[DoubleAction]

Because as I said in my OP and repeatedly since, I am happy that it is necessary on this occasion but it has made me think about the "what if" another time it wasn't.

[CrunchyCarrot]

No, these are temporary measures to be reviewed in 6 months' time. This situation needs strong action.

[MadameF]

What you have in the UK are nothing compared to the restrictions in other countries (I'm in France) stop complaining. And because of that they probably aren't strict or precise enough to do any good against the virus.

[SonjaMorgan]

Well no one round my area seems to be following any of it. BBQs, kids birthday party and some horrible brats out causing chaos. The gov can advise and try to tell its citizens what to do but enforcing it will be much harder.

[BadDaughter01]

No. As a frontline key worker who is in quarantine with virus symptoms, I am more annoyed at people who are still going out as if nothing has changed. The government tried asking nicely, they were ignored, so we are now under the cosh. If it stops people from dying, I'm all for it.

[cabbageking]

Safeguarding also trumps GDPR.

[mochajoes]

I'm a little concerned for when this is over but they had no other option.

[Happygirl79]

Seeing the behaviour of some who are merrily carrying on doing whatever they want regardless of the danger to the health of others by their actions makes me think that in instances like the Coronovirus the government have to enforce people to do things they don't particularly like for their own sake and for the sake of others
So my answer is no
Its a necessary evil