There seems to have been a process of deflection going on by some politicians, seeking to blame the public for Covid cases.

The message stay at home, wash your hands and keep distance has been repeatedly stated since last March.

In the main, the public has been very compliant in doing everything they have been told to do.

One of the major problems with the latest lockdown has been the wide manner in which it has been drawn, with numerous exemptions. The result has been that it doesn’t seem as impactful as the first lockdown.

There seems to be little reduction in traffic levels, in fact they may have gone up. It is difficult to believe that all these people are on “essential” journeys.

The essential nature of certain services that have remained open seems questionable.

We were told schools were shutting, yet it appears that there are so many categories covering key workers, that countrywide they are 25 per cent full.

It has been pointed out by numerous scientists, doctors and academics that people are obeying the rules, it is just the rules need some adjustments.

Experts also point out that one area where this country really is failing is in not properly supporting those who are told they have to isolate.

The vaccination roll out is the one big hope of the moment to get us out of this mess. But the Government’s failure to make the right call at the right time over the entire span of this pandemic has brought its authority into question.

The present effort to put the blame on the public for the failing efforts to end this pandemic further fuels the lack of trust and belief that the Government knows what it is doing.

It is a dangerous game. We live in a democracy, politicians are elected and trusted to govern. Continual failure, especially when people’s lives are at stake, erodes that trust and belief.

The Government needs to get hold of this situation, adjust the lockdown rules to bring the virus under control and come up with a route map that will see the country come out of this crisis. Everyone has had enough.

Paul Donovan is a Redbridge Labour councillor for Wanstead village and blogger. See paulfdonovan.blogspot.com.