Back in business so let's go to work, says ANN WIDDECOMBE
SMALL glimpses of normality began to appear last week.
The gardener rolled up for the first time since November (he doesn't come in winter), the cleaners rang to say they were preparing their schedules for a resumption of business in June, the chiropodist said she hoped this would be her last home visit and the decorators booked in. My agent sent me a list of theatres who want me next year and I got up at 6am for the first time in lockdown to get dressed and made up for TV.
The hairdresser reserved a slot for a fringe-cut in July. The purpose of that TV appearance was to defend the Government's telling people to go back to work even if that does mean being on packed public transport.
The message is clear: if you have a relevant health condition, stay at home. If you haven't, get the economy moving.
What on earth is wrong with that? However there is also much muddle because, as usual, ministers are trying to define every last circumstance. Thus we are told we can go a-viewing other people's properties and enter their houses but we cannot enter the houses of our families.
We can travel as far as we like by car but may not visit our second homes, even if that does not involve staying in them overnight.
Presenter Nick Hewer, 76, is going back to work on Countdown but broadcaster Jenni Murray, 70, is now obliged to work from home.
What we need is a simple message, advising us all, young and old alike, to use our common sense and to shield those with health conditions or other frailties but otherwise to do anything that is necessary to get the country moving again.
Common sense is the message that Boris Johnson originally wanted to get over but the conduct of "covidiots" forced him to be more prescriptive.
It is time to revert to plan one. So, Boris, from June 1, I shall apply my own judgment and I hope everybody else does the same.