OUR VIEW: Another week and another set of Covid-19 rules from the Government

It’s ironic that in a summer when schools and examinations have been at the centre of controversy, it appears to many that understanding the constantly changing coronavirus rules is comparable to having a degree in rocket science.

It’s not just that the advice keeps changing, it’s the added problem that different rules can apply to different parts of the country.

Then throw in the added problem for Cumbria that we border a country that has different rules, and you have a recipe for disaster.

The vast majority of people will accept that to defeat coronavirus, and stop our hospitals from becoming deluged with cases, temporary restrictions on our movements and freedoms are a necessary sacrifice, especially against a virus that has such a deadly effect on the elderly and those with health conditions.

But the ever-changing rules no not make it easy for any of us to follow, especially when this week’s new rules about gatherings don’t apply to schools, workplaces or Covid-secure weddings, funerals and organised team sports.

Perhaps one of the most sensible viewpoints yesterday came from the Police Federation of England and Wales, which said the announcement was “no surprise” given the increase in cases.

But Chairman John Apter warned the government needs to “play its part” and an “effective public information campaign must be a priority”.

“There’s been so much confusion for the public and many people don’t know exactly what the law says,” he said.

His warning to the government to ‘play its part’ will have been noted by many.

At a time when the government desperately needs to show good leadership, it still has the Dominic Cummings lockdown tour of the north hanging over it, added to this week’s resignations and criticism at the heart of Whitehall on the government’s own desire to break international law.

In terms of following the rules, the government itself needs to set a good example.

The vast majority of the British public will follow the rules they see sense in.

But the rules need to be clear.

Heart warming kindness

We’re all used to reading negative stories and sad stories at the moment, but one in The Cumberland News today has a heart warming element to it.

Parents Dionne Winthrop and Mark Young have revealed their heart-breaking story of how their young son Blake, who was born prematurely at 24 weeks, is in desperate need of a liver transplant to save his life.

The young tot has been battling every day since he was born, and at times they have probably felt helpless.

But as the parents explain in the article on the front of today’s paper, father Mark jumped at the chance to be able to donate his liver when he discovered he was a match.

Now they are waiting for their young son to gain a little bit more weight before the operation can take place.

It is a devastating story for the two young parents and little Blake, however it is a story that has a heart-warming element to it, and shows how parents will do anything for their children.

It also shows that there is nothing like the love of a parent, especially in a situation like this one.

We don’t see kindness and selflessness as much as we maybe should in today’s society, but stories like this show us that it is there.

I’m sure everyone will want to wish Dionne and Mark, and little Blake all the best.