Caution: Contains Logic

 Dear Maskers,  I'd like to invite you all to play a game. It's called Never Have I Ever. If you don't know how to play, you just grab a big glass of wine or some shots, and take a drink every time you've done something on the list.  Ready?  Never Have I Ever worn a mask on my chin.  Never Have I Ever lowered my mask to talk, then pulled it back up.  Never Have I Ever touched the front of my mask. Never Have I Ever walked around with a mask swinging from my wrist. Never Have I Ever put a mask down on a table then put it back on.  Never Have I Ever put a mask in my bag or pocket between uses.  Never Have I Ever worn the same mask multiple times without washing.  Are you drunk yet?  There is an argument for masks preventing infection under the pristine conditions of an operating theatre, where the practice is executed to perfection. But out in the real world, the use of masks is counter-productive. When you have it round your wrist, it's p...

 Yesterday's protest has resulted in mixed feelings. The turnout was great for all 16 protests across the UK and it's always good to get out, mix with like-minded people and fill the streets. On the other hand the route was quite empty of observers, probably due to it being agreed with the police beforehand, and the energy was lower. I think that there were multiple reasons for the overall dampened spirits. One is the division between organisers who possibly all want to be the one person in charge and take credit. Another is the division within the cause - people campaigning about child trafficking and other causes that, despite being important, aren't to do with lockdown. They may well be linked to the same figures who are profiting from lockdown, but the lack of focus definitely dilutes the impact we could be having. Finally, another reason is the frustration and exhaustion that is coming from having so many protests so close together with no coverage and less reaction fr...

Yesterday the streets of London filled once again as we assembled and walked together in the sunshine to convey our message: Lockdown is wrong.  The demonstration was attended by at least 750,000, with a beautiful carnival atmosphere - music, dancing, cheering, and smiles. It was a brilliant experience to be surrounded by the support and determination of like-minded people. Despite the concern we were expressing about the masses of harm being inflicted on innocent people, the atmosphere also contained a significant element of positivity, a celebration of our resilience and strength.  Along the walk I met some wonderful people - people representing the most important issues we currently face.  These NHS nurses are among the many who feel that the impacts of covid, while as emotionally devastating as any patient deaths, do not outweigh the damage to patients who have had vital surgeries postponed, cancer caught too late due to cancelled screenings, and heart attacks and str...

  On Sunday, I participated in an interview with an independent film company, DT Films, for their project entitled Through Your Eyes. They are investigating the various impacts that lockdown has had on peoples lives, and giving those people a platform to share their perspectives. In my interview, we focussed on mental health impacts. I explained what I had experienced during each lockdown, from the emotional toll to the various physical manifestations of my mental state - heart palpitations, eye twitching, shaking, etc. We also discussed the major events that lockdown had caused in my life, such as my redundancy or seeing my mum's business that I have watched her pour years of training and hard work into building being closed down with a heartbreaking finality.  With the amazing support of the crew I felt free to express my perception that the imposition of these measures has been an injustice and a betrayal to many. Johnson, who claimed to support British business throughout ...

  Both a literal and metaphorical stand, groups from all over England have been convening every Sunday in parks to share thoughts and ideas in defiance of the inhumane restrictions imposed by the Johnson regime.  Our stand, in Chelmsford, began with just four attendees, including myself. 5 weeks on, our numbers are 5 times as many and growing strong. Every week with the mix of first-timers, regulars, and people who come when they can, I get to meet and talk with a variety of amazing people who never fail to brighten my day. Being in a natural space with people who are not afraid of an uncovered smile, who don't treat one another as though we are "unclean" - it's a breath of fresh air in more ways than one.  It is a fundamental part of human life to gather with others. We gather to celebrate, to mourn, to worship, to work, and to simply share our experiences. The United Nations considers solitary confinement exceeding 15 days to be torture - Nils Melzer, UN Special Rap...

On Saturday, some friends and I went to the shop. A year ago, you'd have said "so?". This year, it's gone semi-viral on twitter - Simon Dolan, Gillian McKeith, and David Kurten have all weighed in with their support.  If you've been exercising your exemption, you know that going to the shop can be an ordeal. Workers who are misinformed of the law asking to see your exemption card, asking you to "wait outside" if you don't have an exemption card, some even ask what makes you exempt! It's all highly invasive and unnecessary (not to mention illegal). This is why we went as a group - for strength in numbers, to do something normal and not be harassed for it. Did we organise it? Yes. Did it make a statement? Sure. But the point to emphasise is that what we did was normal. We went to the shops together because we're friends.  Queueing up outside the shop, we were asked if we were all together. Once we said we weren't, that was that. No one both...

Today was the Worldwide Freedom Rally.  It was an amazing atmosphere - thousands of people, all from different walks of life. There was a sense of camaraderie similar to that felt in a football stadium, and the noise level was pretty similar too: music, drums, whistles, singing, and best of all honking from cars and buses we passed, whose drivers even shook hands with those who were closest to show support.  We walked through the highlights of London - Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Embankment past the London Eye, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, and Buckingham Palace. Hyde Park has always represented a free space to gather and speak (as mentioned in my Speaker's Corner post) and it was an ideal location to begin the walk. As we passed the iconic monuments of London we encountered bystanders both supportive and non supportive, and I felt proud of the attitude of love that was shown to all of them indiscriminately. True, we encouraged some to "take off your mask!" which they m...