People are not robots. They cannot be programmed. Oh yes, they can you will say, it’s called education. Well, of course, they can be educated. But education is a thin layer above our drives and biases. In certain circumstances, we seem to forget about that education. Let’s face it, people behave as they behave and that is not always responsibly or rationally.
Let’s face it, people behave as they behave and that is not always responsibly or rationally.
In Belgium, we have a light lockdown. Throughout this period. we could get out for walks and essential movements. The streets were quite empty. And yet, there were lockdown parties, clandestine encounters, hamster stampedes, and more non-compliant behavior. And now we are in the twilight zone, the exit phase, the return to normal.
Exit
And now, we are allowed to meet up to 4 people outside our family. But it has to be the same people. The prime minister appealed to the sense of responsibility of every citizen and said there was no way to check this.
What do we expect will happen? Many people will not follow this very flexible rule. People will feel entitled to more, think that they will not be at risk, overestimate their skills to dodge a virus.
Clear and tough
In France, Italy and Spain rules and regulations were more strict and restrictive. They had the advantage of being clear and tough. It’s not my plea to have strict orders and I am thankful I could go and walk through Bruges. But in those 2 months, I have not met anybody else but my family.
In the US and Brasil, there are protests against lockdown measures. These people do exactly what they should not do during a pandemic: and that’s being in masses. Who said people were rational?
Motivation
If our prime minister expects people to obey and abide, she should know better. Research by the University of Ghent shows that people’s motivation to comply was dwindling. And so the government is torn between loosening measures and keeping a tight grip. There is no easy answer. But don’t be naive. Some people will not be careful. And we can hope for the better, but we. should fear the worse. And the only hope we have is that people will force people to comply with the rules.
Where were the behavioral scientists?
Confinement is not easy. It is a burden and may lead to mental distress and if it takes to long to psychological problems. And of course, there’s the economy. And that is why the government decided to loosen up. That is understandable. But there were no behavioral scientists around the table. And so the reasoning about human behavior that I have heard during the press conference was very light. This. will. not. work.
This morning during my morning walk I met a cyclist who spat on the floor right in front of me. A couple of months of confinement do not change behavior. I desperately need a haircut.
Keep safe.
