herd immunity

In the early stages of the pandemic, the British government was in chaos. Prime Minister Boris Johnson failed to attend five Cobra meetings from January to February 2020. And no wonder: on his return to the UK after enjoying a holiday in Mustique with his then girlfriend, he was too busy dealing with a divorce from his second wife. He clearly had no time (or inclination) to govern.

Instead Johnson relied on his glib, off-the-cuff remarks to buy him time with voters while he scrambled to develop a policy. This delay and disorganisation typified his handling of the pandemic when, unfit for office, he lied and broke the rules until his popularity plunged. He resigned on 7 July 2022, but is currently still in power.

This installation represents Johnson’s idea of ‘herd immunity’:
by letting Covid run rife – killing thousands – he believed the population would gain immunity from the disease.

They didn’t. Many died, including my stepfather who contracted Covid during a hospital operation and died on 8 April 2020.

The only ones who have achieved herd immunity are Johnson and his party. No matter how hard they punish us, we do nothing. They are untouchable, immune to the consequences of their actions. 

White elephant (noun) A thing that is useless and no longer needed, although it may have cost a lot of money, Oxford Dictionary.

Herd Immunity, 2022, 300 x 300 x 70 mm