Politicians Are Playing God with Lives
Romeo Richards
Founder: Healthcare Reform Campaign & Author of Reimagining & Rethinking Healthcare. Healthcare Reform Strategist
I spent the past weekend in a Mexican standoff with my son who feels he deserves six hours of gaming time every single day. I said three hours, he insisted six, so I cancelled his playing time completely. He tried appealing to his mother who sided with my decision. Realising there was going to be no air cover from his mum, he relented yesterday.
As parents we are responsible for the welfare of our children. We do not leave the decision up to them.
That is called abdication of responsibility.
The past Sunday, our Prime Minister unveiled the new coronavirus restriction plan. Instead of maintaining the lockdown until the crisis is under control, he opted to loosen it, knowing full well the inherent risk associated with that decision. He is avoiding being perceived as a bad parent by his children – the country.
What he fails to understand is, he was elected to make the right decision on behalf of the country. Not the most popular decision, the right decision. The leaders of Scotland and Wales decided to do what is right for their people, not what is popular.
Countries that have managed to stem the spread of the virus are those headed by politicians who understand their responsibility to their people.
They are leaders who put in place the necessary measures to protect their nation, irrespective of the political cost.
Countries with high mortality rate and struggling to curb the spread of the virus, are those with politicians playing gods with their citizens lives.
They care more about their poll rating than the welfare of their people. For someone who has experienced the virus himself, one would have expected him to have a better understanding of the magnitude of the task at hand.
I could have appeared to be a loving father who allows his child to have his way. But I know the future consequences of that. So, at the risk of being unpopular with my son, I did what was right for him.
If only our leaders would think in that manner, we will stem this unnecessary death and many lives would be saved.