These are unprecedented times – we all know that. Governments in various countries have had to improvise in order to put rules and guidelines in place designed to slow the spread and effect of the corona virus.

Social distancing is one of those measures, and rules about congregating in the open. There are fines payable if such rules are disregarded. In each country, the legal mechanism enabling this is different, of course, and depending on the country and its policing methods, such a fine may or may not be the ultimate sanction.

Let’s be clear – these rules are intended for all our benefit, to slow and stop the progress of what can be a deadly pandemic virus. New Zealand has just announced they are able to lift the restrictions because the measures have worked.

Here in the Netherlands more and more people are ignoring the letter of the rules. You can see it in the streets where it is clear that groups of people that do not live in the same household congregate and chat without remaining 1,5 meter distancing. Demonstrations in the wake of the death in Minneapolis of a black man who was pinned to the ground by his neck for more than 8 minutes by a white policeman have also led to situations where large groups of people have not maintained social distancing.

What I find more disturbing are the attempts to have fines declared void because the powers that be are not applying sanctions equitably across the board. This is like requesting a speeding fine being voided because there were other drivers breaking the limit who were not caught and fined.

As a kid I was often reminded of the maxim ‘two wrongs don’t make a right’. There may be mathematical or juridical ways to disprove that maxim but any attempt to escape prosecution on those grounds is in my view morally wrong and an affront to those who do stick to the rules.

The Dutch mentality is grounded on the establishment of rules and the tacit agreement that ultimately they have to be respected. However, there is also a deep sense that rules are fine ‘as long as they don’t apply to me.’

In the case of the special rules put in place to help safeguard the most vulnerable against the possibly severe consequences of Covid-19, it is disheartening to see others disregard them. Those we see from afar congregating in the streets or attending demonstrations may well be the people serving us in shops when we next have to buy in vital supplies, or at least part of the same household.

I find that worrying.