There is now a somewhat predictable movement against the social distancing measures introduced not only by the Dutch government but across the board in the EU.

The tension arises between those wanting to be able to go back to their jobs and those needing to be cautious because they are extra vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19.

The hospitality industry is making their pitch for increased freedom at the expense of those who have done their best to avoid contracting Covid-19 by following the advice from the government.

My beef is with the hospitality industry, both tourism and local. People that choose to ignore social distancing on holiday or when simply going out risk infecting others like me that try and limit their exposure to the corona virus by staying at home, working from home, and being ultra careful when going shopping.

I cannot avoid the feeling that it is the lining of the pockets of those owning the hospitality industry that is being voiced. A question of lobbying.

Much of the manufacturing and service industry can be re-started while implementing social-distancing. The hospitality industry relies on concentrated groups of people congregating, lingering, and spending more than they should. The effect on the spread of the corona virus is reasonably predictable.

We are reaching the point that profit is being stacked up against the health of those more vulnerable to Covid-19 – people that have no alternative way of protecting themselves. There is no vaccine available yet, and considering that the very existence of this virus is only less than 5 months old, the profit motive must not prevail.

When you start a business, you begin by analysing the market. Should the market change later, that is a risk that an entrepreneur has to take into account. Corona has upset the market in that social distancing rules has limited profitability in certain sectors. There is a limit to the amount of financial support the government should provide, and a definite limit to the amount of freedom (at the expense of vulnerable citizens) the government allows.

Money should not talk here. It is not fair on those who risk death if they become infected with the corona virus.