After three awful terrorist attacks in three months, several people I know, from different parts of my life have expressed a reluctance to go into London (or Manchester).
This is entirely understandable and I have no desire to knock people for their gut feelings.
What I want to do is to reassure people.
It is horrible when we read of the sudden and violent deaths of people we never knew, and when that violence happens in a public place, it feels worse. Especially if we know that public place, or it's similar to an area we do know.
I just want to think about risk. Or the probability of something awful happening to oneself or someone close. I have wracked my brain to try and remember all the people who have died sudden deaths. Not just friends, family, colleagues, neighbours, but all the people I didn't know I was connected to until they died, that I didn't know existed.
I have come to the conclusion that the chances of suffering a sudden and violent death are small, compared to all the people I miss who have died suddenly, typically of heart attacks or brain malfunctions. And of the people I 'knew' who have died in sudden non-natural deaths, the majority have been in transport related incidents or freak accidents.
Of course, the risk of being involved in a terror incident is an additional not a replacement risk to all those we take for granted or ignore. I'm sure many people are like me, thinking, 'what would I do if...' and doubting whether they have the courage or the skills to be a hero or a help.
I remember after the 7 July bombings in London. I continued to go into work in town (well, some of the time!), and I did go to various opera and Proms I had already booked. But, in retrospect, I realised I hadn't been going into London for pleasure. Not out of a definite decision, but more of a 'I've heard good things about that new restaurant locally'.
I don't want to be telling people - especially those with responsibilities for others - that you must go into London, or Manchester, or to an arena gig. And I'm as sure as anyone that this won't be the last such attack. But, logically, you have to avoid everywhere - I read there were armed police at the Hay-on-Wye Literature Festival. I doubt your average jihadi thicko has heard either of Hay or its festival and isn't aware of literature as an event.
As other people have said "You could get knocked down crossing the road". But, actually, probably not. Far fewer people die or are seriously injured in road collisions. I read the figures for the 1930s and was flabbergasted - the roads are so much safer now, despite the increase in miles driven and speeds (and I speak as one who would like measures to make them safer still). But, actually, the number of terrorist attacks across Europe are so much lower than when I was a kid/teen, from IRA & ETA in particular, but other groups as well.
I would strongly urge people to go out more, to go into city centres and to live performances. Apparently, if we don't, then the terrorists will have won. (I'm not entirely convinced, but there you go). Go out because we only have one life to live, and being stuck at home is no fun. Go out because the chances of you coming to harm are vanishingly remote - and so many accidents happen in the home.
But if you can't face a city centre, major tourist attraction or arena gig, look at what's on your doorstep. I like going for walks, across country or in formal gardens. Even though I'm an atheist I often go into village churches. The standard of British pub food has never been better. Support local live music venues, whether it's a pub with a live band on a Sunday afternoon or a local choral society performing in a church in a Saturday night.
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