It’s not just the need to be told but by standing firm and putting restrictions in place would have showed the general public just how serious it was and how many lives were at risk. Instead they’ve sent mixed messages and allowed the people to police themselves resulting in a ‘it can’t be that bad attitude’ and ‘it’s only the flu’ and ‘it’s all media hype’ attitude. I knew it was getting serious a few weeks ago but by fuck did I sit up and take notice when the government here announced schools would be shutting the next day.