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Let’s have a look at ya

In 2011 France was embroiled in a legal scandal that hit World headlines. They enacted a controversial ban of face coverings in public. The ban weighted up the rights of religious expression against societal norms in France and it’s territories.

Obviously this was seen as an affront to the Islamic community. The arguments ranged from sexism to security risks on one side and discrimination to freedom of choice on the other. But the ban, including any face covering in public with the exception of a motorcycle helmet while riding, went ahead.

Eventually the ban was enacted and became part of French law with serious consequences for violations. Fines and ‘re-education’ for infringements, with a fine of up €30,000 for forcing someone to wear a face covering, in particular anyone under the age of 18.

Indeed France, while at the spearhead of legislation, is not alone. Many other countries impose similar bans on face coverings including Spain, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg etc.

It will be interesting how these governments now plan to move forward as they mandate face coverings, in violation of the ban, in all public situations. Will there be legal challenges that eventually overturn the face covering bans? or risk a double standard that could result in banning of face coverings for the suppression of viral infections?

One thing is sure it will likely reopen that debate and cause division at a time when we need to come together.

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Welcome

Welcome to Covid Curiosities.

The effects of Covid on our societies has been dramatic and extremely fast. Much of the impacts are currently, rightly so, focused on the negative human cost of the virus and we are not out of the woods yet. Our thoughts go out to all who have been affected.

Some other impacts are also already been observed around the world. These include economic, political, social and technological. Here at Covid Curiosities we will explore some of these and look at the potential future consequences they might have. Some may be fleeting until a vaccine or other virus management mechanism is found, while others could have more longevity and become part of our everyday world.

Back in 2006 on reports of a potential security risk to airlines almost overnight air travel changed forever. We don’t think about it much these days but to date we are still required to limit the quantity of liquids we carry on board. Who back in 2006 would have imagined that nearly 15 years later we would still be applying that restriction.

Pandemics can lead to massive changes. They are one of few events that are attributed with moving socialal norms at an accelerated pace and shifting policies and behaviour in their wake. Will this one fizzle or fuel fundamental change ?