So angry about this witch hunt

That sounds lovely Maddyone, GC are so precious. I haven't seen mine too small to keep the distance. Personally I wouldn't dream of hugging them when I do get chance of seeing them.
I just get a bit fed up of everyone digging out others for what they do. I've seen so much how the public behave still being at work that I can't see the risk being that high for those that choose too, although be it on their conscious. Take carex

Had to laugh, having had this discussion with all of you today, my husband and I were talking.
I said, referring to DC ‘I suppose it comes down to whether you trust him.’
Himself ‘I don’t.’
‘Not as far as I could throw him.’

I have never said that I loathed the press.

We do need the press, but we need them to act responsibly, especially at this time. Is it too much to put the words press and responsible in one sentence?

As Jishere says, the virus will mainly be passed around at work (the press), in shops, or on public transport. But these are not the only ways the virus can be passed on by any means, and that’s why we all need to behave responsibly. That means not hugging grandchildren if you meet them, in fact not going nearer than two metres from them. On the rare occasions my daughter has brought her children to deliver something, the children have stayed in the car and we stayed in the front garden. Twice she came with them to the garden wall, and we stayed well back in the garden. My darling little granddaughter blows kisses to me and hugs herself and releases it saying’Catch it, catch it Nana.’ Then the boys follow suit. Again the same procedure with our son and our seven year old grandson. Why is it too difficult for other people to do this?

I know it’s pages ago, but I’m a Brexiteer, and I still am gobsmacked at what he has done. I’m sure there are many of us who would have done something similar, but we are not ( I’m assuming), paid a salary to specifically make sure we know we’re not supposed to! I know I would never have driven to “ test out “ my eyesight for one minute, let alone half an hour. This is breaking the law virus or no virus. My son works for a care company for just this sort of thing. If you can afford it, and I’m sure DC could, they will send in carers to help if parents are ill, all with PPE. Social services are there for people who need them. This as on the website. No....he just wanted what he wanted and to hell with any consequences. The man is a disgrace and I can’t understand anyone defending him.

It is also interesting how those who loathe the press and their treatment of Cummings were silent when the press hounded Corbyn. Just saying.

I am what you would call a leftie I suppose. I have been consistent in criticising those who blamed the MSM for corbyns defeat, we need the press, they are a vital part of democracy.

Quite, Anniebach. It's interesting how quickly those who loathed the press are now singing its praises

The same press who were accused of lies after lies about Corbyn ?

Support Dominic Cummings as much as you like but don't demonise the press, we need them
Ain’t that the truth, Ilovecheese.

The journalists and photographers who are crowding together are not doing it as some sort of hobby, they are trying to earn their living. This is their job and many of them will be self employed, particularly the photographers. They will not be furloughed, may not qualify for any financial assistance at all.
They wont have a boss who will defend their actions to the hilt to prevent them getting the sack.

Support Dominic Cummings as much as you like but don't demonise the press, we need them.

Mawb that's up to them that's their choice. If they believe all around it's low risk then why point out what others are doing, just be concerned what u are doing?

The thing is if the numbers start to go up again you really believe it's because of these garden meets or an odd hug here and there. It will be because more people have gone back to work; it will be because more people are travelling on trains, buses and mostly underground. There is more danger going down the high street and someone sneezing near you or in a shop then family sitting in your garden.

Keep your self safe and stop worrying about what others are doing.

Hi Jishere
Yes, I was comparing the two situations, one real, the other hypothetical. As you say it would be exceptional circumstances in the scenario with the children. Every grandparent would act to care for their own grandchildren in such a situation I believe.

Maw
I saw the post you quoted. It makes me cross for the reason you mention. It endangers people’s health.

Leave the poor man alone.
Sorry he is absolutely not a poor man. He was trying to play the media and the public by coming across as meek and bumbling. He is not and I'm glad it didn't work.
He was either lying at that conference or he has shown very bad judgement. And only the media can hold him to account. The PM certainly isn't.
He is the Governments most senior adviser. He is arrogant and has nothing but contempt for anyone who disagrees with him. He is also a bully. I have spoken to people who have been on the wrong end of his tongue.

There are some on GN who are quite happy apparently to ignore guidelines or even common sense and can justify it because they had had enough.
Haven’t we all?
And what happens when this blatant disregard for the common good backfires and we face a second lockdown?
Quoting this without a name but she is not alone I fear.

I couldn't cope with not seeing my grandson so we arranged a meet up in a park area that wasn't blocked off. I had to.hug him for me. I figured while I was at risk with my immunity we had all been in isolation for a long time

Are hugs really worth endangering people’s health?

Hi Maddyone

I just don't think it's fair to shout out about what another grans netter has done although nameless. Because given the same situation what would you have done?
Unconditional love is very hard to break even if there is a virus.
Breaking the rules if you are referring to people sitting in relatives gardens has been done throughout this virus not just by GNs. We can't live in a sterile world and we need to boost our immunity if but slowly and very very cautiously for some.

The children I'm sorry I didn't read that so I must have missed it. But yes agree of course that is exceptional circumstances.

I am not a Johnson supporter, but so hypocritical to see the
photographers breaking the rules to photograph a man who
did the same then BBC and SKY news air the videos whilst
criticising the man

Jishere
I’m surprised that you can’t see the difference in the two situations. A mother driving 200 miles to drop off things for her son who was isolating is a completely different situation to six year old twins and a two year old being taken into care. The former situation is one in which the isolating son would have colleagues, neighbours, and friends who he could have phoned or texted, and asked them to pick up food or medication for him. On the other hand, three little children with two parents in hospital (highly unlikely despite their jobs) is an emergency situation. Care must be given to the children. Someone must give that care. Why would any grandparent allow the traumatisation of those very young children by allowing them to be taken into care?
I don’t think that there’s a grandparent on here who would do any different in such an emergency. The guidelines allow for essential situations to be treated differently. Three very young children without care becomes more than essential, it becomes emergency.

Shouldn't the people who are so angry with the journalists outside Dominic Cummings home, be just as angry with him?
They all broke the guidelines.
Surely the Boris Johnson supporters don't automatically have to be Dominic Cummings defenders as well.

If Boris Johnson has been following the advise of this particular adviser during the pandemic, it has not been a very successful outcome, the death rate is high.
Perhaps it is time for Boris Johnson to look for advice from someone else.

maddyone How could I have produced three such different children?

I had to , I have 4 sons, each very different to the others, although they get on very well now as adults.
I'm with you on the crowds, so irresponsible. I would say though that the latest relaxation defies my logic ( although I am keeping to the rules) The bit I take issue with is I can social distance from a family of 4 or more in the local park as long as I don't know them, but I may only social distance with one person if I know them or are related ( e.g can't see mum and dad who live together at the same time). Anyway, hope your family stays safe, I'm away to make more laundry bags for NHS staff. Apart from keeping the rules it's the one thing I can do to help the effort.

Referring to the thread title; a few years back I actually taught the idiom 'witch hunt' in an English lesson and my class came up with several scenarios they thought it would be appropriate to have a witch hunt. I suspect that if I were teaching that same class now they would accept that Dominic Cumming's actions have jeopardised the willingness of the public to continue following guidelines, in which case they would suppose a witch hunt would be justified. The definition we were using was:
a campaign directed against a person or group holding views considered unorthodox or a threat to society.

Thank you for your kind comment Maizie. I didn’t see your comment till I’d written back to janipat again. But thank you, you have no idea have much kindness on here means to me when I am as you say ‘worried sick.’

Yes Elegran and janipat I also totally understand what you are saying, that he should have set the right example because others think if he can do it, so can I. I know one of my sons is incensed by DC because he has a second home, quite near to us, and the guidelines clearly say you must stay in your primary residence overnight. Since the rules on driving further have been relaxed he has visited his second home but still doesn’t stay overnight as the rules haven’t been changed about sleeping in your primary residence yet. He’s very thoroughly read all the guidelines and laws re lockdown, because he’s a barrister and can’t afford to break any laws , and he has made clear to me that some of the guidance is only guidance, whilst other parts have been legislated on, and that includes sleeping at your primary residence. So actually it’s my son who is more annoyed janipat.
My other son doesn’t really care, if anything he supports DC.

How could I have produced three such different children?

I’m still annoyed about the crowds, to be honest it incenses me.

maddyone I know that you have family members working on the front line and I know that you must be worried sick about them. That's why I care so much about one man, for all the reasons others have given. He and Johnson are destroying trust in the government and what they are asking everyone to do will have no authority behind it because the public have seen that a 'rule maker' has been allowed to break the rules with impunity. Why should they obey when he doesn't?

I know that people who care for the safety of others will continue to do everything they can to avoid spreading the virus but not everyone seems capable of thinking that way unless absolutely required to.

I sincerely hope that your family stays safe.

Really great posts Janipat.

Why anyone would bring up comment about a gran that drove so many miles to get bits for her poorly son is beyond me when they know they would drop every thing and break rules to help their own family.
The only person DC was thinking about was DC this was not an act to help, rescue or aid anyone this was an act of 'just in case.' I wonder how many of us feel we should have broke the rules 'just in case' others needed us. I'm glad to hear some have used their instinct to help their children as now it comes to light that was the right decision.