The Cummings Effect - are people rebelling?

Can understand the anger over DC and yes he is a p**t but I value my own and my husband’s health too much to follow suit. It has given a lot of people the excuse to do what they like though. I do fear a 2nd wave coming but sincerely hope not as like most people would like to see an end to to all this and get to see the family again

The Cummings effect

Bob Hudson
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Hancock on #r4today telling us that it is our 'civic duty' to self-isolate if we're part of an infected person's network. Nick Robinson points out this would carry more weight if he personally had not said Cummings 'did the right thing'. Hancock squirms.

People now breaking the rules are just using Cummings' non compliance as an excuse. Until I know more about this virus and until no more new cases are reported, I will keep obeying the rules. I have many vulnerabilities stacked up against me.

If anything, Cummings' irresponsible and selfish actions have made me even more afraid, as I worry that others may now follow suit, leading to an even more terrible "second wave". I am willing to stay up half the night to ensure Supermarket delivery slots, whereas I was reasonably confident to go out before this. I have noted the sound of Grandchildren playing in a neighbour's garden in recent days, the first time since Lockdown. And seen another neighbour welcoming family members into their home, again for the first time. It doesn't bode well, in my book!
I don't even want to go out for a walk at the moment.

I think a lot of people are struggling the longer it goes on. And people were breaking the lockdown long before we heard about DC. My daughter is having problems at the moment and I am 'that close' to jumping in my car and setting off round the M25! Nothing to do with watsisname though...

Once upon a time people like Cummings would resign first go off and that would be that. They are relying on us all forgetting his actions, like they hope we will forget so many of their awful decisions taken that have cost lives.
We are still sticking to the rules and will carry on doing so.

James O'Brien
@mrjamesob
I almost envy people who can look at the death toll, the rule-breaking aide & the hopeless Prime Minister & think: “Yep. That Johnson is a class act. Great government this.” I get tribalism, obviously, but I think we’ve moved squarely into cult territory now. It’s utterly tragic.

Are people really saying "one rule for him and another for the rest of us" and then taking risks? What about self preservation? Nothing has changed since the peak passed. The virus is still there and there is no vaccine or treatment or reliable test and so for now people need to decide for themselves. My pregnant daughter was kept in hospital a couple of weeks ago so we took in our granddaughter for a few days so her dad could continue going to work so like Dominic Cummings I guess we broke the rules. You have to decide for yourself but I wouldn't take unnecessary risks while the situation remains. I fear a second surge in infections

I think that people are losing faith in governmental decisions, particularly since Boris has defended Cummings and is now bringing in odd and confusing rules to end lockdown.

I can’t believe people defend Cummings because of Brexit- what’s that got to with it? Obviously Brexit more important than thousands dying?

Our media have so much to answer for during these extreme times. The BBC , both TV & radio, have caused so much mental angst for people with their constant messages of doom and gloom. As for the press- hypocrites- has anyone noticed how they completely ignore social distancing rules whilst baying to get “that quote” or “that photograph” outside Dominic Cummings home. Shameful behaviour.

Working on the " meeting one friend in the open air " H & I went to meet a friend and her partner for a walk. We have a friend in common with her neighbour so all six went out walking and keeping our distance. The talking face to face( with hearing aids turned up) and having a laugh was great medicine. Hope the maths made sense to you

Iv`e noticed that too AGAA4
I worry though that the second wave of covid will be caused by these selfish people.
It`s a matter of when not if .

I'm also interested to see if there is a spike after last week, I wonder how many over 70's were on the beach, certainly not us without a loo! I've decided I won't be seeing the hairdresser or any other shops I don't have to. Have I been influenced by DC, yes to do the opposite.

Dominic may have stretched the rules, but he didn't break them. See the exceptions for Autistic and disabled children. Several other MPs and politicians have been caught doing similar or worse with little or no response. In any event this furore isn't about Covid, it's a last gasp attempt to reverse Brexit by bringing down an elected Government. It used to be called TREASON!

I don't think that Cummings and Johnson have heard of the concept of 'leading by example'. It would be interesting to know what hold DC has over BJ.

We’re doing this to protect ourselves, our families and -ultimately each other. If one person, however prominent, misinterpreted the rules, right at the beginning, why on earth should it affect our behaviour?

why do we expect our politicians to be truthful?
power corrupts especially politicians,
just watch their lips move!

Well he made it clear that they are guidelines and not rules didn’t he? I’ve always taken the position that I will risk assess and act accordingly. So far I have tended to stay home but as I’ve always cared for my grandchildren I have continued to do so as the parents are key workers. They are safer with me than with strangers. The lockdown is nearly over and the people who need to stay home are those that are most at risk. The rest of us need to get on with it. Just my opinion. The world cannot stay in to protect others now, it’s the ones at risk that must stay in. That’s where we are heading and rightly so.

Brilliant Sparklefizz

I think on the whole those that use DC as an excuse are the ones who were not to keen on the rules anyway! I too as someone who is high risk have tried to to read widely to get a true picture of what's going on. Not easy!
There is an interesting article in the Guardian today by a Professor in virology from Oxford university about how the R rate is calculated and it's still too high,another wave is inevitable. For trace and tracking to work the system has to be very robust,ours isn't.
On the news today it was stated that if you compare 19 countries who calculate statistics in same way,including USA, the UK has the highest death rate.
Statistics and information can be adapted to suit any argument.
Most of the deaths are the over 75s with underlying conditions,that doesnt mean other groups are not falling I'll and experiencing life changing health conditions as a result.
Tests can still be hard to get,even for front line workers.
Many people have lost faith in the government,and indeed they have contradicted themselves.
I feel at the moment there is an undercurrent of everything's getting back to normal with talk of shops and pubs opening,talk of holidays to Greece etc. Very quietly in the background the government occasionally whispers it's still very serious out there you need to be careful. Those that want to will only hear the first part about things opening and act accordingly.
Collateral damage will be the high risk, shielded and over 75s whether that be through infection or social isolation.

I’m no fan of Dominic Cummings either but I cannot get worked up about his drive to Durham. Frankly I think he and his wife were very scared - he looked it anyway. Older parents both of them of one little 4 year old - lucky enough to have a bolt hole- and wanting to protect their son- his boss very ill in hospital- anxious to get back to work ASAP in order to help- the only thing that I would dispute is the drive to Barnard Castle when all of them were presumably well. Also everyone has time on their hands at the moment and have been incarcerated for weeks, no wonder their anger has boiled over. Maybe those angry Conservative MPs should reflect on how much they may owe DC for their seats in the recent election? If we don’t realise that there is always one rule for those in power and another for the rest is either foolish or naive.

Sad that there is not enough common sense to go round.

When the news broke about Cummings it was like party time in Ibiza where we live, almost as if they had toured the streets with a megaphone saying "you are now free to do whatever you like".
I have always made my own mind up about important decisions, would never be influenced by some politician or celebrity or whatever.
Waiting to see whether there will be a spike in cases after last weekend.

A friend sent me this yesterday. A pink poster with following text.

Anyone fined for breaking the
lockdown rules can now apply
for a refund under the new law of
Cummings and Goings.

It made me laugh.