The Second Lockdown - Which Nation is Free?

With more nations around the world, particularly those that are considered advanced economies, imposing a second wave of lockdowns on their already suffering citizens, it is interesting to see comments about a second lockdown from the president of a nation that is considered by many (particularly in the United States) to be one step from a dictatorship.

 

Let's start by looking at the "lockdown nations":

1.) England:

2.) Germany:

3.) Belgium:

4.) Greece:

5.) Australia (State of Victoria):

 

As well, there are other nations including Spain, France, Wales, Italy among others that are considering  or have already implemented measures that would further shutter their economies and restrict the movement of their citizens.

 

Now, let's look at a recent news release from the United Kingdom:

 

When a soldier inevitably shows up at someone's door if the voluntary system doesn't work, how likely are they to refuse to be tested?  It is also important to remember that this is just a pilot project at this point; should the UK government decide that it is a success, the program will be rolled out to other cities and towns throughout England.

 

Now, let's take a look at another approach to the pandemic.  In a recent commentary, Russia's President Vladimir Putin made the following comments about a re-locking down of Russia's economy:

"Of course, the main factor that determined the global economic dynamics this year is the novel coronavirus pandemic. We can see the serious decline it has provoked in industrialised countries and emerging economies and the huge funds that have been allocated to support national economies.

 

The indisputable priority for Russia in this situation is the protection of the life and health of Russian citizens, of our families. I mentioned this on numerous occasions. This is the logic by which our actions have been and will be guided during the pandemic, when we coordinated a package of anti-crisis measures designed to save jobs and protect people’s incomes and to stimulate new contracts in the production chain. I would like to point out that total federal allocations approved for these support measures amounted to some 4.5 percent of the GDP. We know that some countries have allocated even more.

 

I have no doubt that our decisions have been adopted on time and that they were sufficiently effective. In my opinion, this is the main thing. We have seriously mitigated the consequences of the epidemic in the national economy. Economic decline is even smaller than in many other countries, as you are well aware.

 

However, the risks persist, of course. At the same time, I would like to note that, despite the complicated epidemiological situation, we are now much better prepared to work in conditions of a pandemic than before. Yes, I realise that we need to pay special attention to some matters and problems, and there are regions that require our special attention – we have recently discussed this matter at a meeting with the Government. But on the whole, the situation is better. This is due to the experience of mobilising the healthcare system and implementing essential preventive measures.

 

We clearly understand how we should act, and we therefore do not plan to introduce all-out restrictive measures or to launch a nationwide lockdown, when the economy and all business operations virtually grind to a halt.

 

If an objective need arises, the authorities will make justified pinpoint decisions, with due consideration for doctors’ recommendations, as regards the situation in specific regions, cities and municipalities. These decisions will make it possible to maintain people’s safety to the greatest possible extent and to facilitate the uninterrupted work of enterprises and organisations." (my bolds)

This begs the question; which nation is really free?  While only time will tell if Russia does impose another lockdown, for the time being, it would appear that the nation's leader firmly believes that a second lockdown is not advisable.  This is in sharp contrast to so-called Western advanced democracies (aka benign dictatorships) which have freely used emergency legislation to trample what little remains of our civil rights.