Tell him you really can’t work from home. Okay. Will do.

One thing to remember is that the death toll from COVID-19 is that it’s our fault. Not Boris Johnson’s government which has done everything to keep the death toll down to a world-beating 116,287. That’s why the government’s recent advertising campaign has been anxious to point out. In reality, the blame-shifting is actual government policy. Some people actually believe Johnson, despite all the evidence to the contrary. But here’s an example of the gaslighting that’s being used against the British people.

Look at the header on this blog: “Look him in the eyes and tell him you really can’t work from home.” I’ve no wish to visit the ICU or a COVID ward to look this unnamed person in the eyes and tell him I really can’t work from home because that would not only be against government rules. It would be completely unhinged. But if I had to, I’d do it because I am telling the truth. I’m not allowed to work from home.

People work from home because their employers tell them to. If the employer says it is COVID-secure, it’s end of story. Workers have literally no say in the matter. I do understand how serious and infectious this virus is and I would be only too happy to work from home. But it is not my decision to make. For millions of people, if they express concern about working in what they consider to be non-COVID secure workplaces, they will be told, at best, that they will not be paid if they don’t work or, more likely, they will be sacked. Most people are not in trade unions and have very few rights in the workplace. It really is as simple as that.

So, Johnson: don’t gaslight me. You know full well the reality that the COVID disaster has happened on your watch and because of your incompetence, the death toll and the hit to the economy is at least in part down to you. And if I really can work from home, even if only occasionally, please tell me how.