Let me begin by stating my assumptions:

1. Lord Sumption may have a brain the size of a cabbage, but he has no medical qualifications, at all
2. His Lordship does not live on a housing estate, do his own housekeeping, nor face any pressing need to move amongst the great unwashed
3. Amongst his plethora of possessions his Lordship does not number a crystal ball

From these it follows that his Lordship’s views on the efficacy of a covid-vaccine, or the respective merits of social distancing, mask wearing and isolated exercise may be better considered, but are no better informed than mine.  And he has no right to take decisions that may influence my chance of living out a full and happy life.

I’ve mentioned it before, but since he was on the Radio again only yesterday generously a-sharing of his views, it behoves me to say it again, that Lord Sumption may know a thing or two about the judicial process, may have his opinions about the importance of controls over the imposition by government of rules and regulations, but is no better informed than the rest of us about the medical implications of the path he proposes.  It is Lord Sumption’s view that the infirm, weak and nervous should be protected, so far as possible, from covid, but that “the rest of us” should be unencumbered by additional regulations and free to go about our business, as we choose.

There may be times when that view may have its merits, but those times are not when effective vaccine has been created,  the government is doling it out as hard as it can go,  cases are running at something like ten times that daily rates they were in much of April (yesterday’s figure was over 40,000),  and the death rate appears set to soar.  To place freedom above life is not just bizarre, it is ass-sinine.