The idea that coercion cannot be positive is seriously weird.

We coerce children into doing things they don't want to do, but we know is in their, or our, best interests all the time.

This is no different. For the vast majority, who see the wisdom of mass vaccination against a life-threatening virus, coercing the reluctant, and the downright selfish, into behaving in the common interest is extremely positive.

Even for the minority who disagree, it could be argued that coercion is positive for them too, if it protects them, and their loved ones, from themselves.

Upsetting a minority in the interests of the majority sometimes has to be done. Most times we go to extraordinary lengths to accommodate minority view points, but sometimes that isn't sensible, and this is one such occasion.

The end does indeed justify the means. You simply cannot be allowed to sacrifice the health of the nation on an altar of selfishness.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

It doesn't take long, so once you get there, it would be nice if you actually addressed the arguments, rather than those who made them. Unless, of course, you cannot.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

What you have constantly done, and continue to do, is attack the poster and not answer the post. You do it, yet again, in this answer. Insults like this are no substitute for reasoning. They are weakness in the face of alternative opinions, apart from being a repetitive and flagrant breach of the rules.

I am perfectly happy for people to read my post and reach their own conclusions, both on it, and on the fact you decline to answer. Most people, including those who post here, understand and support the vaccination programme. Whilst some have more sympathy than I do for the "personal freedom" argument, that doesn't really undermine what I am suggesting is needed now. We are all in this together and all of us must play our part. Even those who don't want to. Those who refuse must expect to remain isolated from mainstream society until the majority decide it's safe to accept them back again.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

What happens during the next flu epidemic? Same rules? Maybe we should have a referendum on the subject.

We cope with flu. Many of us are getting vaccinated every year. Most of us possess some natural immunity, as it's been around, in one way or another, for a very long time.

Covid is new. No natural immunity existed. It is also more contagious and far more dangerous in its impacts. Vaccines and increasing levels are bringing under control, but we aren't there yet.

So no. With another pandemic, yes.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

That it has a family connection doesn't mean it isn't new. There are a huge number of viruses. Some cause illness. Some don't.

Immunity from one, by dint of exposure, does next to nothing, to protect from another. The SARS outbreak was small and didn't affect us. So it has no bearing on our situation.

Of course, most with strong immune systems, suffering a mild level of infection, survived. That's what our immune systems do. It's where vaccines can help them work better.

Protecting the vulnerable, minimising the long term impacts and avoiding overwhelming an already stretched health service is what this is all about. That's not fearmongering in any way. It's cold, hard reality.

Go work in your local hospital, as my wife is at this moment, and tell the doctors and nurses there it is fearmongering! They would probably give you a very hard stare, then just carry on caring for people. They need your help. Not your selfish nonsense.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.