These 'schemes' are so seriously flawed that one wonders if any of those advocating them, have elderly parents, or grandparents or experienced mobility access issues that occur, sometimes at any time in life.Or even tried even occasionally looking after someone for more than a month let alone a year or ten and still having some sort of normal life.Just how will the legions of volunteers and unpaid carers , friends and so on be able to do what is being done now?Drop off shopping, drive people to appointments of all sorts. and allow those who are housebound either by long term problems, old age, ailments or ill health a degree of normal quality of life? I've done a little bit of this in the last few months, but know others who are out locally, every day, doing stuff for those who may well have to remain locked down for the rest of the year?How many get up early or go out late to drop off or collect a partner or sibling from their shifts at hospitals?Interesting that those who advocate cycling are the very middle class who are generally young, fit, healthy and can afford a cleaner at home.To use Covid as a smokescreen to implement things without proper consultation and to satisfy idealistic movements is simply wrong if it causes damage to day to day life for too many to suit policies.How many drive a sick or infirm person , family or friend or neighbour to a Hospital or clinic appointment?I took someone to Northwick Park just before the lockdown, as a favour. It took 6 hours for a 20 min appointment. Impossible to park there and almost equally impossible to get to from here. Now it's being made even more difficult. And by public transport was completely unfeasible even then. Stupid now if not in full health.A great many people in need and rather isolated live off Green Dragon Lane and Burford Road.This proposal will seriously affect both those who help, those who deliver and those who live in a small degree of need.It is the same in other places too.Like the CPZs, the downside has been the increased isolation of elderly and lonely from the cost and reduction of those who do something at their own cost fiscally and in time.If these issues cannot be addressed and solved then there is no mandate to cause more discrimination against older people both those who do their bit and those in isolation and poorer health.And unfortunately, though you don't see it written anywhere, the cold hard fact is the safest way to move around is alone in a car. And that may be for a good while yet.
Raymond Havelock ● 1886d