A general point. (OK OK it's also a bit of a rant; cut me some slack.) Hopefully it might give you a laugh too.
Those who know me and my background, will know the profession I used to work in. My role was to read, understand, test, explore and interpret UK legislation for employers. A sometimes tricky path. Over the years we have changed from a rule driven to risk led system. The problem is that it's just not black and white.
The problem with absolute rules. (look at speed limits)
Whilst they're clear, compliance is often discretionary. 70mph on the motorway anyone? I'm a safer driver than everyone else; that rule isn't aimed at me
Deterrents only work if they have soon, certain and negative consequences (ahh the cameras on here are dummies)
Enforcement requires an actual breach (or getting caught)
They rarely fit every single situation leading to exceptions being made (racing to hospital to save a life)
They lead to loopholes that get exploited 70mph + 3mph + 10 %
So if we have Covid 19 RULES you get similar problems but rules is rules and should be clear. Stay at least 2 m apart. Great. An Absolute.
If we don't have rules, then we can have guidance. This allows more flexibility and interpretation. However, your interpretation and mine could be different.
Only leave the house if you think it's essential to do so ...
Me: I'm out of vodka
You: I need vital medicine
Ultimately, someone else will be the arbiter of that judgement - possibly the police. Or maybe the public or the media. But we can't really govern how people will see words like reasonable, essential, vital, necessary etc etc. You could call it common sense, but that's another argument for another day.
What we currently have as I see it is a mixture of rules and guidance but the guidance doesn't necessarily expand or explain or even support the rules.
Some of the rules are clear.
Stay at least 2 m apart. That's an easy one.
Guidance on that says, if you cannot stay 2 m apart ALL of the time then consider screens for example and lastly things like masks. Obvious if you're a carer.
This makes good sense, one complimenting the other.
Where the wheels come off is where we hear you can go out to exercise - once per day. OK that's clear as a rule, but what the heck does it mean? I can leave at 06.00 and come back at 18.00? But now it's understood that we can have as much exercise as we like. Whoo hoo, freedom. Hang on how is that any different to before. Well it's not really other than we can pop home for lunch and then go out again. The question is, just what does that do (in either case) for infection control? Answer; absolutely nothing. Not unless you apply the rule keep at least 2 m apart.
One of the examples from the debate now is that golf courses are going to be able to re open. But only for single players or a two-ball from the same family. Just a second, where did the rule go? Why not play someone else, anyone else as long as you stay 2m apart? You can play tennis, but only with a family member. Who plays tennis at less than 2 m? On a set of open tennis courts, you're closer to the next player than you are to your opponent!
You can kick a ball about too now. But only with a family member. "Hey sorry mate, kick our ball back please" "Sorry fella, can't do that, I'm not a family member" They're all just examples of crap rules. So what should they look like? Rule - you may leave your house in order to exercise as long as you maintain the 2m rule from anyone not in your household. Then you have guidance about what a reasonable distance, times, activities etc are allowed.
You see, I can ride my pedal bike all over the place, but until now I couldn't sit by the canal fishing. Because it's not exercise. It's ludicrous.
Someone asked Raab this morning, can I go and see my mum in the park in the morning and then my dad in the park in the afternoon (separated I guess) Yes he said, very quickly. Hooray I thought. At last an clear honest answer. But then added that you couldn't go round to their house to meet them and sit in the garden. WHAT? Seriously? Is the park air somehow antibacterial? Keep 2 m apart and of course you can. You can't have an overarching rule and then undermine it with contradictory guidance. They had Michael Ball chatting with Captain Tom this week - in his garden. Someone call the cops!
Now. We're all sensible enough to work this stuff out - or we'd be driving Landrovers wouldn't we. But the problem here as I see it is not that there are rules and guidance but rules and guidance that have been drawn up by someone on the way to work after a heavy night on the Special Brew.
It's just a total nonsense. Whatever you're doing keep 2m away from folk and wash your hands before you eat, drink or smoke. If you can't then don't bloody do it. Right?
See it's dead easy really. Sometimes less really IS more.