This blog is not intended as advice. It is for educational and research purposes only. Read this disclaimer first if you want to read this post.
In WWII the Royal Family stayed in London, despite the Blitz. During the Blitz, the King (George VI) and Queen (the Queen Mother) visited bombed areas to see the damage caused by enemy air raids. On these visits, the Queen took a keen interest in what was being done to help people who had lost their homes. After Buckingham Palace was bombed on 13 September 1940, she said she felt she could ‘look the East End in the face‘.
Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret spent most of the war years at Windsor Castle and, like many other British children, were often apart from their parents. In October 1940, 14-year-old Princess Elizabeth broadcast a message to evacuees on the radio programme Children’s Hour, urging them to have courage. (source Amanda Mason Tuesday 9 January 2018). The whole family showed true courage and set a fine example.
In contrast, 83 year old Pope Francis “will deliver his next two public blessings via video to prevent crowds from gathering as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus” (ABC News). His address would have been from a window overlooking St Peter’s Square (see below).
The US Center for Disease Control considers about 2m separation adequate to prevent transmission of COVID-19 between people. The message that leaders give by hiding when when leadership is needed is stark.
The height of the Pope’s face when on the balcony at St Peter’s Square is about 9 x 1.8 m = 16m, using the people in the photo above as a scale. This is far far more than the CDC’s 2m. If every old person demanded being kept 16 m rather than trying to keep 2m away from the public, it would be laughable and be ridiculed. Being above the crowd would give further protection from infection. Even accounting for the Pope being in an “At Risk” category due to his age (83) and an existing cold, the decision appears to be a very bad one and certainly does not display courage. It appears he has been very badly advised.
