IT has recently become quite common for comparisons to be drawn between the situation during the Covid crisis and that during wartime.

As one of the dwindling number of people who actually lived through the last war, I can understand the thinking, that both were and are worrying times.

However, during the war the majority of the people were positive. Although they knew the risks, they never entertained the thought of losing. The prime minister’s message, supported by relentless propaganda, was designed to maintain this attitude of positivity at all times. The vast majority of the population responded, and despite shortages and hardships, did everything possible to support the war effort in both practical and societal terms.

My observations of the general public reaction to the current crisis suggests that we have become a victim society. Those in lockdown feel they are the victims of the government failures; publicans think they are the victims of unfair regulations; students feel they are the victims of poor planning; those who are stopped and searched feel they are the victims of an unfair justice system and those in the BLM community think they are the victims of history.

There are many other examples but, while people feel that others are to blame for their hardships and spend their time bemoaning their lot, we cannot move forward. People must start to look for ways to improve their condition and that of those around them, otherwise the country cannot get better for any of us. It begins with small steps and the sooner we start, the better it will be.

During the war there was only ‘us’ and ‘the enemy’. So we all pulled together toward victory. The big slogan “was make do and mend”. This applied, not only to clothing and physical items, but also to society in general.

DAVID HAWKSWORTH

Branksome Wood Road, Bournemouth