My grandfather, a Dutch jew, narrowly survived the Nazis, due to the bravery of those who kept a terrified schoolboy in hiding at great risk to themselves - the rest of his family were not so lucky. The campaign of the Nazis to convince the populace that the jews presented a great threat to them was ramped up over a period of years, and was also supported by "scientific evidence". There is no reason whatsoever that the atrocities of the past cannot be perpetrated again; human nature does not change, and we are no better now than we were then. Much faster than was the case with the Nazis, people are being convinced that the non-maskers are a threat to them, and that this justifies their marginalisation, or even, hostility towards them.
My husband is not of the same mindset as I am - he thinks that this hysteria will lose momentum, and that my worst nightmares describe a sensationalist extreme which will never come to pass - I hope he is right. We are, however, united on the importance of personal freedom, he just doesn't really believe it is at threat.
My mother-in-law (amongst many others I know) supports the mask mandate, despite telling me she doesn't believe masks are effective, and supports a mandatory Covid-19 vaccine, saying that my personal freedom is not as important as the health of others. She would ignore the authority of her son and myself to make decisions regarding our children's health (and our own), and have our lives massively sanctioned for non-compliance.
In the last six months, we have been forced to remain home, in isolation, without seeing our families, or our friends. Health services, schools, playgrounds, playgroups, picnics, beaches, more than one walk a day - against the law. They made it illegal for our children to play together, or for me to have a cup of tea with my mum. And nearly everyone I know has bought into this, for an enemy we cannot see.
Or the mandate could omit the word 'except' and be replaced with the word 'and'.
Given the inconvenient definition of Totalitarianism (Oxford English Dictionary: "relating to a system of government that is centralised and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state"), perhaps the government should mandate it be edited: "... except when citizens have been persuaded that it is for their own good".
I too am shocked at the compliance I see around me. The whole thing is out of proportion, the government is doing far more damage than Covid ever will. I was once asked how did the Nazi ever gain control, well we are seeing it now on a global scale. Once laws are made, even in emergency situations, they are rarely rescinded. I am retired and my heart goes out to the next generations who will be paying for the stupidity of incompetent, selfish governments for the rest of their lives. Why will the compliant not protect their families and stand up against this tyranny?
I find it frightening how many people haven't realised what's happening. Social media and MSM has them mesmerised. They rely on "fact checkers" but fail to follow the money and see who is financing them. Government corruption is nothing new and corruption at the highest level is now taking hold of our freedom. A genocide has already begun and if the Corona virus act is renewed later this month we may never be able to wrestle back control.
I wish I could wave a magic wand for all of us on here, I have no support from family or friends regarding this charade (fortunately my hubby is with me on this) I am now trying to get to the dentist next Friday without having a mask forced upon me. I will endure the pain forever if they insist I have to wear one! !!!!😥