The Cummings Effect - are people rebelling?

Personally I have never made a major decision by asking myself what Dominic Cummings would do

Brilliant Sparlefizz . Maybe we could all ask ourselves “What would DC do ?” and then do the exact opposite.

Our near neighbours , who are in their late 20s, have never taken notice of any rules or advice. There is a constant procession of cars in and out. Barbecues in the garden etc. Loads of people. I think they think they are immortal

Brilliant ‘peasants revolting’

I value my life so keep myself safe, I will be worried about going into shops again and am in no hurry.

If Cummings had apologised (even if he didn't mean it) the matter would be over now I feel. He is so arrogant!

I think Cummings should be sacked. He lied and he is an arrogant disgrsce. I'm still going to be sensible and adhere to social distancing though etc because I don't want become unwell with the virus. Just use your common sense. I don't believe a word that comes out of Boris Johnson's mouth now though....didn't really before, but definitely not now. He has put his political interests before a Public Health message during a pandemic. Boris is not up to the job of Prime Minister in my view

To be honest, I’m not sure it’s the Cummings affect. My DD is very strict with the rules for her and her family and I feel it’s more about lack of guidance from Boris. Sending out confusing mixed messages that caused this in the beginning.

Oops sorry for spelling your name wrong up thread Sparklefizz

Cummings had a position of responsibility.He used a rule that was put in for people escaping domestic violence.The man is below pond life.As for the story of testing his eyesight at Barnard Castle with a four year old son in back of car load of rubbish.The reason he went to Barnard Castle is because his sister Linda Cummings firm has just been given the contract by the government for track and tracing and their operational headquarters is Barnard Castle.He knows he will never be sacked

Boris Johnson has allowed Dominic Cummings to undermine the lockdown rules
I have no confidence in BJ as a leader at all

I'm just starting work for NHS Trace & Track today. I think that I'll be calling people to ask them to self-isolate & they will give me a hard time about Dominic Cummings.... it's made everything much more complicated

Nothing changed in this household or locally. Everyone is pretty compliant, obviously there are those straining at the leash to get out more who would have broken the rules regardless. Most people have common sense and are doing what's best for them and in the national interest. We have to find some normality now.

These people who have ceased observing sensible anti-Covid guidance are being plain idiotic. Just because some people, however lofty, have ostensibly broken rules, does not imply it is OK to do likewise. By doing so they are hurting their neighbours, wider society, the NHS, their families and themselves. They are fooling themselves and are frankly no better whatsoever than those whose actions gave rise to these people's follow up actions. They should grow up, get sensible and smell the coffee or indeed the virus just waiting to multiple at every possible turn.

Yes, haven’t you heard? This is “ Dominic’s law”. It states that we are free to interpret the rules as we see fit, and there will be no consequences!!

Much as I despise DC and despair at the ineptitude of BJ I am carrying on regardless. I have walked with a friend and kept 2m distance. I have sat opposite a friend on our driveway again at 2m. All our allotment folk are keeping the distance but nit the many strange cyclists/ walkers who go past. Don’t get me started on quad bikes and boy racers plus drugs! This is the outskirts of Bradford!
My friends abhor the arrogance of DC but respect each other , their families and friends far more than he has ever done. Most of the population have common sense and would not follow his example, much as they would like to. His lies have been uncovered and he is exposed fir the nasty piece of work he is. Shame on him.!

I agree. They are totally immoral. They will probably blame Cummings as will very many people across the UK. But we are each responsible for our own actions, regardless of who or where we are and what job we do. We have responsibilities to ourselves and our families as well as to our wider community and our vital NHS and other public services. We do not want another Covid peak!

Nothing on earth would encourage me to break the lockdown rules at the moment. I am desperate to see my extended family, but will stick it out come what may. The BBC news at 10.00 pm which has Clive Mirie filming in the Royal London is enough for anyone to understand the need for adherence to the guidelines.

I am generally very law-abiding, and DC's arrogant flouting of the rules makes me want to stick fingers up and do whatever I please. Why BoJo hasn't sacked him yet, for bringing the gov't into disrepute if nothing else, is beyond me.

Yes, just because he wants to throw himself under a bus, doesn’t mean we all should.

There is now a photo of Jeremy Corbyn online, ignoring social distancing, and posing for a selfie next to a member of the public. JC is also in the at risk group due to age, but he has already ignored that by turning up at the HoC earlier in the month.

My neighbours are loading up their enormous camper lorry (you couldn't call it just a van) so I reckon they're rebelling.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.