I don’t think she’s entitled but I do think she’s a bloody fool. Telling us to do one thing and doing an entirely different thing herself? Ridiculous and hypocritical.
Problems in Harry and Meghan Marriage
Just read that Catherine Calderwood the Scottish chief medical officer and her family drove to their holiday home in Fife for the weekend.
Apparently it was just to check on the security of the place. Hmmmm.
The only way to resolve that PR disaster would be for her to be charged and fined heavily for making an unnecessary journey just as one of us would have been.
I don’t think she’s entitled but I do think she’s a bloody fool. Telling us to do one thing and doing an entirely different thing herself? Ridiculous and hypocritical.
This woman has lost my respect , she has been on tv advising us on the Covid infomercials as well as the daily updates , what on earth was she thinking ! I might as well jump in the camper van and camp wild overnight to make sure the van is “ ok “ .
(I’m hearing cop cars chasing me up the A9 with the blues and twos going) , wonder if she will be on tv today ??
The risk of her action per se is probably very small as Baggs has pointed out.
But the point is the example she has set to all those of us who would love to drive somewhere; and the implication of her action is that the rules do not apply to her - we could all try saying that. "If she can do it why can't I?" I am sure we could all come up with some extenuating reason for breaking the rules.
I would like to drive over and see my OH's grave in the next village but one, but have not done so because the rule is no unnecessary journeys. A neighbour of the church is tending the flowers for me.......just as she could have got a neighbour to check her property.
Why not G23. She was doing wrong, she knew that so, she must expect to be caught out! Just as well some folk have a sense of duty! Its not clyping, its acting responsibly.
Police Scotland have already issued fines to 144 people for flouting the rules on this. Calderwood should be fined too - at the very least.
Ooh I'm so angry about this 
Entitled bloody fool. Disgraceful disregard for others.
Spying Granny23? I'm stunned that you seek to defend her! She's in a position that requires her to be an example to her constituents, not tell them to follow the rules but she'll do as she pleases because they don't apply to her.
What if she'd had an accident whilst out driving? She would need the police, who are otherwise heavily involved in dealing with Covid-19. She could well need hospital treatment and then would be requiring doctors and nurses who are already stretched to breaking point with treating desperately ill victims of the virus.
She was irresponsible and arrogant and deserved to be reported, if indeed she was.
The people ‘spying’ on her were the residents of Earlsferry who were rightly very angry at second home owners ignoring the SG rules.
"Being in power is above the law. I am merely stating a fact" Otto Von Bismarck.
I pinched this quote from Peter Oborne's Twitter feed.
Nieghbours at her second home.
She'll be deeply unpopular if we all end up in total lockdown as Matt Hancock has hinted at today. The few who think that the rules don't apply to them are making it worse for the majority who are keeping to the rules.
I reckon her political career has just taken a nose dive anyway Callistemon.
Of course she shouldn't have done it but please don't sack her. She has been doing a sterling job so far.
The question rattling round in my brain is "who was spying on her? and why?"
Surely she realised she wouldn't get away with it?
Has she resigned yet?
Silly woman,she'll be crucified in the media for this..and rightly so.She cant expect the country to do the right thing and her do something else.That kind of attitude isn't what we want ,its more Boris' style .Disappointed in Cath ,she should know better .
We'd all like to get away from it all, though.
I have heard so many self-justifications since this began earlier in the year from people who should know better.
She should be setting an example not bending the rules. Others will think, if she can go out in the car with all her family for a non-essential reason, why can't we?
Because you may put others at risk, that's why.
I think Chris Witty is excellent.
My sister in Spain mentioned last night , if you go to the shop ( you must go alone) , you must have your shopping bag or you will be fined when stopped and as Jane said you must show your receipt when you are on your way home.
There’s no excuses and no exceptions .
The question of why we shouldn't be driving anywhere, except to collect medication or necessary food shopping, was raised during our local online council meeting this week. The answer was that, if, whilst out in your car, you had an accident and required any of the emergency services, you'd be taking them away from their more urgent duties. And if, God forbid you ended up in A&E, you would be taking nurses away from treating extremely sick COVID patients.
Money talks. Just as with trying to persuade people not to use carrierbags, the charge of just 5p per bag gradually reduced the usage of them. Who would have thought it?
So I hate to say this but until people are made an example of and fined a large amount, such as £1,000, they will carry on doing their own selfish thing.
It would cause an outcry but would be enough of a short, sharp shock.
I think those giving the nation advice should lead by example, and many have clearly not been doing so, including Johnson who was not 2 metres from the others on his podium when he gave the 'distancing' advice to the nation.
Many entitled people I fear, think that the guidance is just for the common herd.
Matt Hancock even faltered when asked if people could drive to a walk. He replied that a short drive was OK leaving people to interpret "short drive".
I haven't heard about this, but if this information is correct, how on earth does she expect people to follow her advice, if she does not abide by it herself? Makes a mockery.
If her car broke down or crashed she would then be tying up services that are desperately needed elsewhere. If she can drive for non essential reasons then others will think it reasonable to do the same. She is living under strain but so is the rest of the U.K. and many in a lot more discomfort. Others who tried to go to holiday homes were castigated. Those who aspire to be leaders need to set a good example not flout the rules so blatantly.
The royals and Carrie Simmonds all moved before the total lockdown so didn’t flout the rules. Some have very selective memories.
except - not unless
And if she broke down and called AA?
I totally agree that penalties must be stricter and I’m not normally the kind of person to say such a thing!
Also I dread to think what will go on today seeing this glorious sunshine
at the moment the roads are relatively empty which must be resulting in a huge cut in traffic accidents
They are empty because the vast, vast majority of people are adhering to Govt guidelines and staying at home (unless Dr Calderwood and her family). There is absolutely no excuse for this - none. I hope she does the honourable thing and steps down because we absolutely cannot have someone in her position flouting her own Govt rules - it sets a very dangerous precedent just as we’re heading towards the peak. If nothing else it shows her to be someone with very poor judgment who is quick to try and hide the truth.
Two friends who are traffic police have been able to be drafted into other duties because there is so little traffic on the road.
Yes it was only one journey, there and back. And if 60 million people also decide this weekend to make just one journey, there and back, because their one journey won’t make any difference.....
If she can, why shouldn’t they?
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »Get our top conversations, latest advice, fantastic competitions, and more, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.