This is hard. I've lived in Japan for 20 years now. I've watched the UK become unrecognisable to me. I have gone from being pro-Britain to very much ashamed of being British.
First they muzzled our thoughts with rules about what we can 'hate' (i.e. what we must like)
Next the rules about where you can go and when.
Now finally your voice is literally covered.
Yet speaking to people back in the UK, it is clear that people were eased into this gently. Even my own mother throws around nonsensical doublespeak terms like "shielding" and "social distancing". Twaddle. So many people just allowed themselves to be pushed gently downstream, just as they drift along the pavement in their muzzles, locked into their drip-feeds of media nonsense. Drifting toward what?
How are British people not rising up against this. Even the police— how are you living with yourselves? IS that why you joined up? It's an insult to our ancestors who died for freedom.
Why are people waiting for a vaccine when a vaccine cannot be made for a mutating virus? What end-game are they hoping for? Why is society being decimated for a virus that has a kill rate of no higher than standard flu — I feel for those poor vulnerable people but we cannot imprison 99.99% of society to protect 0.01%. We shouldn't live in a society that strangles free speech just in case 0.01% are offended, but it has happened.
In Japan, mask-wearing is normal, and has been for decades. Mostly it's done to stop hay-fever, or as courtesy when YOU have a bad cold. (I have to say the last time I went to London some idiot sneezed in my face, but surely the best way is NOT to go out if you are sick. Duh.
But it also masks (pun intended) a docility, a compliance, and worryingly a kind of self-assurance that these magic masks make one immune to infection. It is weird living in a place where this is the norm. And eventually people give in through the fear of failing to comply to social pressure. They don't even need laws here to make it work - there is no need... think about that. That is where you are headed.
Now I love some aspects of living here, and I don't want to disparage a nation that has shown me kindness, but something is missing here. So many seem to feel an emptiness and a lack of ability to think for themselves. Many more know something is wrong, but the rebellion is quiet. Huge numbers no longer even own a TV here, as they have been aware its just a medium for brainwashing. Their equivalent of the BBC has gone from informative to childish in a generation. This is were you are headed. And people here have been resisting in their own quiet way. Is it enough?
You people back home, please keep thinking for yourselves — that is what all governments fear most of all. When I return I will add my voice to the place I once called Great Britain.
London Tokyo. - Its good to hear a gently chastising because you are right in everything you say. Its a real problem for those of us who do not believe the propaganda being pushed out getting the real message through to those who are brainwashed by the media. Also its more than a concern the lack of that backbone which was present during both world wars and now null and void in the biggest war yet. Our MPs have been struck dumb and have gone into their own lockdown, becoming totally unapproachable in every way. One comforting thing is that the polls are showing a big drop in popularity for Boris & pals and its a dead cert they won't be returning for another term, hopefully never. We ARE the majority and have a determination to stop this creeping evil but WE have got to make it worse for them before it gets better for us. Look forward to you coming back to join us, we will be here bigger and stronger.