The Cummings Effect - are people rebelling?

The whole point is that if people, "break the rules" as so many sheeple insist he did, in the same way D.C. did, i.e. making sure that they don't come into contact with with others, keeping strict social distances at all times, etc., then it will have no effect whatsoever on the spread of this dreadful disease.
If, on the other hand, people take the attitude that, "if he can do what he wants, so can I" , and start crowding in places with never a thought of who they may be next to or how far away they are from them, like the reporters on D. C. 's doorstep then yes, look out for the second spike in a week because, never mind the rights and wrongs of anyone's behaviour, that is the sort of behaviour that causes this infernal disease to spread.
Anyone with half a brain could see that there were areas of the "rules" that were open to sensible and mindful interpretation according to circumstances. D. C. 's biggest mistake was in presuming everyone possesses the level intelligence to realise that.
It was made evident that this isn't the case when the first set of measures for easing the lockdown were announced, resulting in the flood of posts on all kinds of social media saying, "it's not clear!" meaning, "we don't understand!" Funny, I wonder how many of the same people are the ones now saying, "he broke the rules; the rules say this, that the other; the exceptions were only for anyone suffering abuse, etc. etc." Make up your minds, either he wrote the rules and therefore knows that he didn't break them, or he doesn't understand them and therefore can't have written them in which case he's no more culpable than the next Stephen Kinnock!
The bottom line is, whatever he's done or hasn't done, nobody was put in any more danger than they would have been had they stayed in London. Fewer people were exposed to COVID-19 than if he'd got someone to come into his London home to be on standby, whether hired (which most definitely was "against the rules" at the time) or family. Let's not forget Harry Day's now famous observation:
"Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men."
Yes, he was cavalier of the feelings of others and should apologise and pay a fine like everyone else.
Yes, I'm annoyed at him for not being man enough to say his jaunt to Barnard Castle had no real justifucation and I'm sorry I went. But I'm more annoyed at the manipulation of the British public by the media and at the British public for allowing themselves to be led by the nose. It's plainly obvious to anyone with a modicum of intelligence that this is being orchestrated by Remainers (as most of the media are) and, whether you are pro or anti EU, the fact remains that many traditional Labour voters lent their votes to Boris Johnson on the promise that he would "get Brexit done", and, in doing so, handed the government a clear and resounding mandate to do just that on their behalf.
If Brexit fails as a result of the baying mob, and it's far more likely to happen if D.C. is ousted from his post, then the left will have delivered the biggest betrayal of the British electorate that I certainly will have ever seen and that will outweigh any supposed betrayal by D. C. over Easter.

Does anyone else wonder if the annual Flu jab caused any problems, I have seen a lot of people around here who have been quite poorly after having had it. I know you usually get some symptoms after it, but this last winter it seemed to be bad and as most of those receiving the jab were elderly or infirm in some way, they are also the people that have suffered a lot with this virus.

Leyburn, theres been no one actually said Cummings child is autistic or disabled, as far as i know?- anyhow how would that make a difference, in his case? As a four year old cant be expected to care for himself, even if not- BUT, i dont expect Cummings to stoop even lower by 'playing the disability card' and he would not surprise me if he did tbh..hes made one excuse after another, and if he had at least said why he'd done it but that hes now sorry it might have gone a long way- he could have easily got help for his child if he was getting ill by ringing Number 10 & explaining his situation im sure- as hes so 'thick' with Boris- its an ouright lie & excuse to flout the rules and now what are you saying then? That its down to the vulnerable ones to stay in for the rest of their life like hermits just keep safe, just because others cant be bothered trying to keep from spreading the virus now???

This reminds me of Jacob Rees Moggs comments on Grenfell....that his common sense would have made him ignore instructions to stay put.

You are absolutely right. I hadn't made that link, but it is a valid one, and sums up the way that this sort of attitude is endemic in this government, not simply a 'misunderstanding' of what has conveniently shifted from 'rules' to 'guidance'.

I really don’t worry about what other people do,I do things to keep myself & my husband safe.I would never dream of doing something just because someone else had.Its up to us all to be sensible but I will say that if I had been in Mr Cummings situation & I was worried about my child I would have done the same,the continual harassment he had been getting from the media must have been scary for a little 4 year old with autism.Most people’s instinct is to be near family when something awful happens,we all need support .We are all sensible people & will do what we think is right at the time.If any of my children had been ill I would have looked after my grandchildren anyway.

Sorry, NoddingGanGan, you lost me at 'sheeple'. That patronising and frankly offensive attitude is exactly what many of us are objecting to.

It would appear that in parts of England people have been ignoring the lockdown long before Cummings' misdemeanour. One assumes that adults are capable of making their own decisions and are able to consider their course of action. Dominic Cummings was irresponsible but many people will be using his example as an excuse the ignore the lockdown. When there is a second wave of the pandemic, I hope their visits to the seaside were worth another lockdown.

I didn’t think Amber Rudd was still an M.P. Jaycee so I suppose her opinion doesn’t really count.

The whole point is that if people, "break the rules" as so many sheeple insist he did, in the same way D.C. did, i.e. making sure that they don't come into contact with with others, keeping strict social distances at all times, etc., then it will have no effect whatsoever on the spread of this dreadful disease.

How can you possibly know that DC acted like that, NoddingGanGan? All that we know is that he said that he and the family isolated once they got to Durham. From a man who has told so many lies during this sorry episode there seems to be no reason to believe him.

You give yourself away when you start on your absurd claim that it's all a Remainer plot. Before talking about 'sheeple' you should take a look at yourself...

Like many others I don't make decisions based on what Cummings or any so called celebrities do
As far as I can see the "Cummings" effect is the strategy employed by his many opponents to get rid of him. The joke is that the "honourable" member, Douglas Ross who resigned on a point of principle himself travelled from London to his constituency in Ross (about 600 miles) after lockdown and after a month decided to return to London because the "internet was playing up". The SNP motor mouth Ian Blackford also travelled to his Skye estate after lockdown. The MSM only print what they want you to believe and the taxpayer funded BBC is one of the worst

I think many people broke the lockdown rules for their own reasons but none have been harassed like this man.So much hate & vitriolic media reporting,it’s disgusting.......we need the opposition parties to get behind the government so that we can get through this instead of all the sniping & political point scoring!!

So hopefully those who have breached guidelines and have been in close contact for more than 15 minutes with someone from outside their bubble will be phoned up and asked (instructed) to self isolates for 14 days if their contact gets a positive test result. Somehow, I cannot that everyone will do this unless there is a significant penalty slapped on them if they break their quarantine "instruction". I think it should be an order, not an instruction, as by association, to get that phone call, means that you have already broken the social distance laws so you really need to get the message that you CANNOT leave the house. It is not open to interpretation or instinct. When will people get that!

I find the rules ridiculous in that you can have cleaning people in your abode but not your family, so if I give my son a duster, he can come in!

Yes I agree with you Lexisgranny. I am very angry that DC has got away with breaking the rules especially as others have been fined and also that he didn’t even say sorry. However why put yourself and others at risk by now breaking the rules just out of spite. My anger won’t make me put others at risk and the fear of catching the virus myself. But I do hope eventually he will get his “come uppance” It is so utterly unfair.

LilyH i dont know if the jab did cause some people some problems,but i just had a bit of a sore arm a few days,as did my two sons,but this virus isn't just flu, is it? And the pro's will definitely outweigh the cons for having it or not and so i for one will definitely be welcoming a vaccine for covid19 when its available, for all of us- in fact it should be made compulsory, as it wont die out otherwise. I think covid19 is a disease that makes you far more ill than a jab would?!

So true Venus. Doesn’t make sense but you did make me laugh!

I totally agree with Lexisgranny, Orangerose and many others; my actions will impact on family and friends, so I will continue to do what seems to be for the benefit of us all. The rules and guidelines have been imposed upon us for our protection, so why would I want to follow the actions of someone who needed to act in a different way?

I was most horrified at reports that, after running from Downing Street to get home to his wife who had become ill with suspected C-19, Cummings returned to his workplace that same day.

Just missed a word, I cannot SEE that everyone....
Also in reply to Nanniejcl, this man got so much stick because of the position he is in, he wrote the rules, and no matter how hard, he should set the exampl to the rest of us as to how to follow them, no matter how hard for him. He also broke the rules by driving to the hospital to collect wife and child when transport could so easily have been arranged, and also, his story of driving thirty miles to test his eyesight, really! Does anyone ever do that, he could have killed someone if his eyesight was playing up, how dare he take that chance.

why do some posters write 'essays'

After reading your post MaizieD, I so agree that Brexit should not be brought into this! It has nothing to do with this current debacle. It makes me angry for anyone to think this is true. “I” am a Remainer but I have put this on the back burner - there is enough to worry about.

Most hear sticking to the rules .
We only have a few near by neighbours as live in a gated tourist attraction, and fortunate enough to have many waterway and park areas to safely wander as closed to visitors due to the virus, in fact it's lovely and peaceful in the public areas we're enjoying the different atmosphere in lockdown

I'm still keeping the rules for myself and my family, in fact I'm prepared to keep them longer than needed if I don't feel it's safe to venture out to the towns etc I won't.
IMO using common sense is needed as I feel strongly
this sadly isn't going anywhere overnight!!
Stay safe x

Well i havent breached guidelines but when ive had to go out (for food if i couldnt get online slot) or to have my regular blood test done- and other day i went to pick up some cleaning materials in a 'safe- guarded' store- BUT if others have,through no fault of my own- dodged past me nearby,or stood too close to me in a queue,or passed too near in a hospital corridor etc and i was 'getting the blame' of being the one breaking the rule then i would be VERY ANGRY!!

Blowed if l know what the "rules" are anymore.....
Common sense rules my day, and l don't feel l have to copy other idiots/s.

Most ((here)) even, wish my auto correct wouldn't but in so quickly ...