Frustration at ‘atrocious’ and ‘appalling’ attempts at social distancing in Central Bedfordshire

Anyone choosing to ignore public health advice is suffering “short-term” or possibly “long-term” memory loss, according to Conservative Heath and Reach councillor Mark Versallion.

The issue was highlighted during reports by executive members at a Central Bedfordshire Council social care, health and housing committee meeting.

Cllr Versallion, who chairs the committee, said: “I’ve seen somewhere, which will remain anonymous luckily for them, where I couldn’t believe how people were behaving.

“It was as if Covid never happened or they were never conscious of it happening.

“The short-term memory or even long-term of some people in society is really beyond belief, and their inability to social distance and to remember to do so.

“Regrettably I find myself concluding the only way is for people to be told, to be policed, or for someone to stand there.

“Someone in government or in one of the state agencies, perhaps all of us collectively, need to do more on that. It really is atrocious out there.”

An update on Covid-19 related activity in Central Bedfordshire was given by Conservative Sandy councillor Tracey Stock.

“As of September 4, the position in our area, is that we have had 1,376 cases,” she said.

“This is likely to be an underestimate because of the testing capacity in the first few months of the pandemic.

“The infection rate per 100,000 is slightly above the East of England. It’s not a concern at this moment in time. We’re still well below the rates of Bedford borough and Luton. Overall the numbers have remained broadly steady since the end of June.

“We’ve seen 276 deaths from Covid-19, as mentioned on death certificates, up until August 21.

“Since mid-July, we’ve only had one coronavirus death in Central Bedfordshire,” added Cllr Stock, who’s the executive member for health and wellbeing and communities.

“The majority of cases currently are in the 40 to 49 age bracket and there’ve been five in Leighton Buzzard and five in Ampthill. Public health colleagues are continuing to monitor those areas.”

Concerns over social distancing were raised by Conservative Leighton Buzzard South councillor and current town mayor David Bowater.

Walking through the High Street after a VJ Day anniversary ceremony was comparable to “a normal Saturday evening”, he explained.

“The pubs were restricting access through making people queue and only letting in a certain number.

“But the people queuing were virtually touching and you could see through the windows there wasn’t a mask in sight.

“It was absolutely appalling and I’m not surprised we’ve had an increase in cases.

“The only surprise is that it’s as low as five.”

Cllr Versallion replied: “There are some good practitioners locally, but there are also some bad ones.”

> Have you seen good or bad examples of social distancing on your travels? Email details and your views to [email protected]