March of the times

It’s the march of the times. It’s interesting that some religious groups are exempt from Health and Safety provisions (wearing crash helmets) yet worship gathering is not allowed in the UK under public health provisions to combat Covid-19. Concern that the Public Health banner is being used against the church in particular is clear from the run of events.

The growth of the internet has exponentially grown the channels of communication and with it the ability for greater remote control of events in many places. Unfortunately, human isolation in a world of increased access seems to be the run of events in 2020. Global co-ordination of events has never been as possible as now. The vehicles for this are becoming the new Gold Standard. Zoom is fast becoming the new Google.

It’s the march of the times. Rapid changes occur at every corner you turn. In the past, safeguards against abuse of the rights of the minority positions on blanket rules for the common good were maintained. A clear example of this in the UK is the exemption of Sikhs on the use of crash hats and helmets.

Governance is tough, particularly in an age where people blatantly peddle what they know to be false to support their position. The “Big Brother” position is all too easy to fallback to. Passion is required to win. Winning however should bring progress, not chaos.

The UK approach to local lockdowns allowed for economic activity to continue. Once people lost their fear of the virus compliance became an issue. Whatever has been said about China, enforced compliance sustained over an effective period has given them room for getting life back to near normal.

Sometimes it may be worthwhile to humor others in order to get things back to an acceptable playing field. Unfortunately, accepting what we don’t agree with for a set period of time is a trait rare for most of us. Furthermore, few if any restrictions brought in by authorities are ever removed. Reasons seem to be found to continue them in one form or the other.

Personal accountability for health and wellbeing is difficult where we don’t agree with measures. Apostle Paul said to the Jew I became a Jew, and to those without law I became as one without law that I may win some. Seeing someone’s point of view is not the same as agreeing with it. It does provide a basis for reaching agreement. Can two walk together unless they be in agreement?

Whatever measures were applied in China, they apparently have worked. Attacking the system in operation doesn’t take that away. Passing by and getting involved with a quarrel not your own is like taking a dog by the ear. You are bound to get bitten somehow.

Focus on containing the virus is essential; so also is ensuring freedom. People willingly make sacrifices for what they believe in. When unnecessary issues are brought into the mix of things, we end up going round in circles.

In positions of authority one has got to be mindful of handlers and carriers. God gives us personal responsibilities that can not be abdicated. Handlers or carriers can corrupt the decisions and directions of a leader. While in my formative years I watched a comedy series parodying an interpreter to a Colonial Governor. This gatekeeper always effectively turned the direction of the Governor’s instructions to his advantage regardless of the position or intent of the Governor.

More recently in my life I have seen it reflected in an adage of the man being the head of the home while the wife was the neck that moved the head. More than a decade ago I watched “Wag the Dog” on an inbound flight. The neck analogy has always struck a chord with me in reference to this film.

As of a little while ago, I heard of a former Prime Minister asking the successor to present evidence to Parliament to prove that evidence was not being fitted around policy rather than the converse. It’s certainly the match of the times that setting clear policies have never been so challenging.

In an era of fake news, flying taxis etc. being an authority holder has never been this challenging for any leader seeking to maintain integrity

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