Our country needs to keep moving so we must obey the rules | Rick Jackson

‘There is no evidence face coverings and social distancing stop the virus spreading, we are doing it and the infection rate is still climbing.’

‘I feel sorry for those hit by the 10pm curfew and university students who are being treated like prisoners unable to go out.’

‘More people die of flu and cancer in the UK. Covid-19 is not even in the top 20 reasons for death in this country, this is ridiculous.’

These are all the counter arguments I’ve heard from ‘experts’ this week, as restrictions are tightened as infections rise again. So many conspiracy theories, so many anti-establishment figures quoting Charles Darwin and the survival of the fittest or warning us of an impending George Orwell 1984 scenario.

Typical Brits. I remember a historian once telling me we’d never allow a dictator to control our country because we’d never do as we are told or fall for their rhetoric.

I really do understand one of the arguments, where we should be allowed to take our own precautions and not be told what to do by the government.

If you know you have an underlying medical issue that could make Covid-19 very dangerous for you, then shield and the government and local councils will do everything they can to protect and provide for you.

For everyone else – the vast majority of the population – carry on as before and if you do catch it, your symptoms will be minimal or asymptomatic. We need this to keep the economy going.

But I’m not willing to play Russian Roulette with this. Just look at Kate Garroway’s husband who had no underlying health issues.

And what if a teacher, doctor, nurse, policeman or any key worker feels they need to self-isolate? Will there be enough ‘healthy’ people to keep the wheels turning?

Schools need to remain open, businesses need to remain open and we all need to continue wearing a face mask, washing our hands and follow the simple, short term rules so they can remain open.

It’s not great, but don’t ever forget Pompey’s dark days

I heard a rumour from a reliable source this week that Kenny Jackett had offered his resignation after the 2-1 home defeat to Wigan Athletic.

It was refused by the board, saying that it was not the right time to change the management structure of the team and the fact the club is losing so much money.

Jackett knows he’s lost the dressing room, but a steady ship is all I pray for at the moment. Yes, we should be top of the league; yes, our rightful place is the Championship at least. But thank goodness we have an owner with a calm head a deep pockets.

On social media, fans seem to have forgotten the dark days of 1978, 1998, 2010 and 2012.

I’ve seen the future and it has me stuck on touchlines

‘Welcome to the next 10 years,’ I said to friends as we watched our kids play football early on Saturday morning, while clutching our thermal mugs of coffee.

It was cold but bright as the smell of sizzling bacon wafted across the park.

Wrapped up warm, we realised the journey we are all on now as our young kids join different clubs and undertake many activities.

Parents become taxis, shuttling their youngsters around from one sport to another for many years to come. The hope of no rain and a friendly face to stand with is all you can wish for.

Apart from Freddie lifting the FA Cup at Wembley in 2040 that is, then it will all be worth it!