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So how do we feel about Sajid Javid telling us not to ‘cower’ from Covid

(218 Posts)
Nezumi65 Sun 25-Jul-21 09:28:59

twitter.com/sajidjavid/status/1418932718847541248?s=21

Must be a huge kick in the guts to anyone who has lost someone to covid.

I was pretty purple with rage tbh. Eldest son has not been able to be vaccinated but has severe learning disabilities so is at much higher risk from Covid. He has never cowered from anything in his life - but some caution might be sensible.

Not sure what will happen if their gamble on not creating a vaccine resistant strain while massively introducing transmission doesn’t come off.

Nezumi65 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:11:47

I take it from those replies that neither granny gravy nor lemongrove understands the link between transmission & new variants. Ignorance is bliss. Let’s hope the gamble pays off.

Nezumi65 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:13:13

And if the government really wanted to protect the economy they should have acted sooner. I agree with Cummings on that (not particularly something I ever thought I would say).

Alegrias1 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:15:53

Cower: to crouch down in fear.

I thought what he said was OK.

A few weeks ago one of the Scottish medical people said we should be careful, but not fearful. Nobody complained.

I'm confused. confused Maybe I need a lie down.

lemongrove Sun 25-Jul-21 12:16:37

Nezumi65

I take it from those replies that neither granny gravy nor lemongrove understands the link between transmission & new variants. Ignorance is bliss. Let’s hope the gamble pays off.

Sigh.

lemongrove Sun 25-Jul-21 12:17:56

Alegrias nobody can use plain language now without running it past the thought police.

Nezumi65 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:18:13

Why the sigh lemongrove?

MayBee70 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:29:00

What he said sounded like a lot of people on here who seem to mock that those of us still taking as many precautions as possible. To protect ourselves, protect the NHS, protect others and reduce the chance of new variants becoming vaccine resistant.

JaneJudge Sun 25-Jul-21 12:29:13

this is an interesting article on the use of language Someone posted another article about it the other day which was really interesting (it was along the lines of the rhetoric for us to blame one another)

love0c Sun 25-Jul-21 12:32:56

Nothing wrong with what he said. I am cross he felt the need to apologise. To all those intent on 'cowering, ' just imagine if there was no food in the shops, nobody was working so therefore no money for pensions, benefits, hospitals, schools etc etc. Imagine that! Back to work or that is exactly what you will get!!

JaneJudge Sun 25-Jul-21 12:33:51

There are lots of people who have taken much more risk during the pandemic through lack of choice too. Having choice is a luxury. My own Mum has had to work in an extremely high risk environment at an age where really should have been drawing her pension. She didn't have the choice to 'cower' at home.

It's not 'just a comment' is it?

Galaxy Sun 25-Jul-21 12:35:08

I worked throughout the pandemic thanks love and I think it's a ridiculous thing to say.

Nezumi65 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:36:49

That’s an interesting article, thank you for posting.

I do think the use of the word ‘cower’ does give insight into the rhetoric within number 10 at the moment (which makes even more sense if you can bring yourself to read Cumming’s blogs confused )

JaneJudge Sun 25-Jul-21 12:36:50

People have worked in shops, schools, pharmacies, nurseries, schools, colleges, care homes, hospitals, warehouses, transport, garages, logistics and transport (the list is endless) throughout the pandemic.

GrannyGravy13 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:37:11

MayBee70

What he said sounded like a lot of people on here who seem to mock that those of us still taking as many precautions as possible. To protect ourselves, protect the NHS, protect others and reduce the chance of new variants becoming vaccine resistant.

I have several health problems, I take what precautions I deem necessary to protect myself, my family and others.

I will not however, live a life cowering from a disease that I am double vaccinated against.

Nezumi65 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:38:25

Love0c as I said I have offered to spend sept-dec on the wards (knowing the autumn is going to be horrendous).

I take it you are working on the front line given your comment?

Callistemon Sun 25-Jul-21 12:39:08

Cowering indoors
From what I've read and heard of some people in RL, yes, some are. A friend was telling me she hasn't seen her DD even though she lives a mile away because her DD is terrified to go anywhere.

Cowering is what some people are doing
Ignoring restrictions, not wearing masks etc is what some people are doing.

Most of us are taking sensible precautions and trying to live as normal a life as we can, being thankful to those who do have to work and help us stay safe.

love0c Sun 25-Jul-21 12:40:30

I have taken his comment in a different way to some on here. I took it as him encouraging those who are cowering to join the ones that are not, whether that be through choice or not. Far too many people are content to 'take' while others take all the risks!

Nezumi65 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:40:38

I know many people who have caught it whilst double vaccinated. Depending on your personal risk if you catch it may alter your view of how willing you are to expose yourself to that risk.

Nezumi65 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:41:17

Who is ‘cowering’? We are not all at equal risk.

Callistemon Sun 25-Jul-21 12:41:49

Nezumi65

Love0c as I said I have offered to spend sept-dec on the wards (knowing the autumn is going to be horrendous).

I take it you are working on the front line given your comment?

Well done - so you will not be cowering.

This is not going away soon so being as sensible as we can be is the right thing to do imo.

Nezumi65 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:44:28

The problem is that by completely opening up when transmission is high you remove the choice of sensible precautions for many. You drive people who are at higher risk indoors. You ignore their choices. By using this rhetoric you end up with people abused for wearing masks (as I was early on in the pandemic).

Anyway figures will be interesting in next few weeks. There are loads of ‘missing’ test results at the moment (in the data) which probably explains why friends have been waiting a week for PCR results & why many sites ran out of lateral flow tests.

GrannyGravy13 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:44:58

love0c if it were not for all those folks working throughout, others would not have had the privilege to stay home.

MayBee70 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:45:00

imo it’s just a case of being proactive instead of reactive. Something that this government has failed to do throughout the pandemic. I don’t regard myself as ‘cowering. Just being proactive. It reminds me of children playing chicken to be honest.

love0c Sun 25-Jul-21 12:47:26

GrannyGravy Exactly! that is my point!

GrannyGravy13 Sun 25-Jul-21 12:47:48

MayBee70

imo it’s just a case of being proactive instead of reactive. Something that this government has failed to do throughout the pandemic. I don’t regard myself as ‘cowering. Just being proactive. It reminds me of children playing chicken to be honest.

Who is playing chicken?