Coronavirus

[Stuie]

So if a second wave did happen and was a result of the protests, are we still in the wrong for suggesting that it was the wrong time to protest?. No one is saying they shouldn’t protest that’s the thing but during a pandemic and the police already stretched and strained is that really the best time?.

Some people have selective rage at things that might cause a second wave. I live on the south east coast and we’ve had traffic jams caused by people outside of the area coming to pack our beaches every weekend for the last month. Theme parks opening back up might cause a second wave.

Telling people they need to wait for more black people to die before protesting about racially equality seems a bit off in my opinion.

 

[Islander]

Some people have selective rage at things that might cause a second wave. I live on the south east coast and we’ve had traffic jams caused by people outside of the area coming to pack our beaches every weekend for the last month. Theme parks opening back up might cause a second wave.

Telling people they need to wait for more black people to die before protesting about racially equality seems a bit off in my opinion.

Thing is, there’s been plenty of rage about the ridiculous number of people turning up to beaches and other beauty spots, and of course pandemic-wise these are just as deplorable. There seems to be this misnomer, though, that everyone against the idea of protesting now was automatically pro-beach gatherings etc.


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[Mr Pearse]

End of the day everyone has their own opinion on this situation. I haven’t seen any of my family for 4 months due to living in wales. Now me personally I got every right to get annoyed if this leads to a second wave. No one has said they shouldn’t protest no has said the message is wrong. The whole point so many people are trying to make is that we are still in the middle of a pandemic and all emergency workers are stretched to the limit. Why are putting extra strain on already strained service. There is better ways round this until it was safe to protest in high numbers.

 

[Rob]

Frankly, I think it's as simple as being a case of it being up to BAME people to dictate whether the current protests are justified or not.

It's easy for the privileged to repeatedly say "it's the wrong time to protest (insert injustice here)" but who exactly are you to say that? It's the people who have to suffer the consequences every day that should decide that. They know the risks posed by the virus and they're putting themselves out on the front line because they believe this to be more important.

I just don't see how it's ok for white people to say "not now". Imagine if society had said that to the suffragettes or Martin Luther King.

I get that. And I get that by protesting now when it is in breach of nationwide regulations gives the protest an even louder voice with more widespread coverage. There is no point holding any protest if only the man and his dog sees or hears about it.

However, I still believe that ANY from of mass gathering (whether that be on a beach, in a protest, at a house party, wherever I don't really care) is completely unwise at this moment in time. There is a reason that mass gatherings are banned on an almost worldwide scale, they promote the spread of this virus. If it spreads further, for whatever reason, then we are going to see more deaths, more unemployment, more hardship, more mental health struggles and yes, more inequality on who it is going to impact. Win the fight against the virus first, then let's sort out society and rid it of discrimination.

 

[Stuie]

wow so the rest of us dont matter. they dont care about us, yet they want the rest of the population they are endangering to care about them
not the way to go at present

Wow. Them and us?

Have a word mate.

 

[Islander]

Wow. Them and us?

Have a word mate.

As in those actively protesting, and those not. Please don't twist his words

 

[GaryH]

Racial inequality is deadly. Covid-19 doesn’t just prefer black people. If you don’t think now is the right time to protest, there’s a good chance you are a privileged white person.

Sorry but what a silly thing to say. The world is in a global pandemic not seen since 1918. Over 40,000 dead in the UK, over 100,000 dead in the USA. It may be double this if people around the world had not stayed in doors and were sensible.

Having hundreds of thousands of people in mass protests, many of which are shouting, expelling spit and larger volumes of breath amongst others in range, at a time when we are trying to restore some form of normality and get healthcare and the economy back up and running is wrong. Now is NOT the right time to protest IN THE WAY THEY HAVE. Protest online, protest on social media, write to your MPs, set up change protests to get governments debating it, but having large groups like this is just not right at the moment, particularly when you see cycles being thrown at police horses and some idiot trying to set fire to the British flag.

And to say if someone says this means they are a privileged white person is just idiotic. I watched the video of what happened in the USA and it made me feel sick. I despise racism and feel everyone in this world should be treated equally and fairly. I agree with the removal of the statue in Bristol, and agree with the removal of any monument to slavery around the world.

To say that because we should be careful not to spread the virus at this time makes me a privileged person quite frankly is absurd. If all lives matter then surely we should be taking care to protect all lives, not endanger them further right now!

 

[Sam]

I think some in this thread should redirect their anger to the fact that this country is so institutionally racist that people felt that they had no other choice than to take to the streets.

 

[Stuie]

As in those actively protesting, and those not. Please don't twist his words

Fair enough, didn’t read it like that.

Apologies @ThisIsTheWay

 

[Stuie]

Sorry but what a silly thing to say. The world is in a global pandemic not seen since 1918. Over 40,000 dead in the UK, over 100,000 dead in the USA. It may be double this if people around the world had not stayed in doors and were sensible.

Having hundreds of thousands of people in mass protests, many of which are shouting, expelling spit and larger volumes of breath amongst others in range, at a time when we are trying to restore some form of normality and get healthcare and the economy back up and running is wrong. Now is NOT the right time to protest IN THE WAY THEY HAVE. Protest online, protest on social media, write to your MPs, set up change protests to get governments debating it, but having large groups like this is just not right at the moment, particularly when you see cycles being thrown at police horses and some idiot trying to set fire to the British flag.

And to say if someone says this means they are a privileged white person is just idiotic. I watched the video of what happened in the USA and it made me feel sick. I despise racism and feel everyone in this world should be treated equally and fairly. I agree with the removal of the statue in Bristol, and agree with the removal of any monument to slavery around the world.

To say that because we should be careful not to spread the virus at this time makes me a privileged person quite frankly is absurd. If all lives matter then surely we should be taking care to protect all lives, not endanger them further right now!

You’re a privileged white person because you are white, not because of what you say.

My point was that it only seems to be white people telling people they shouldn’t protest right now, from their privileged position.

 

[Matt N]

On a happier note than the protests, Oxford University are said to be “close to a major breakthrough” with an antibody treatment that could be used to help the most vulnerable: https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...r-breakthrough-on-antibody-treatment-12002160

Fantastic news; a treatment could end up being almost as effective as a vaccine!

 

[Alsty]

There seems to be an implication that those who think the protests are a bad idea are racists or somehow don't think racial inequality is important. I find that an offensive and ridiculous notion. It's more that mass gatherings for any reason right now are unwise and will simply lead to more infections and deaths. I don't consider that an unreasonable concern.

We already know R was at or above 1 in some places in the country and the virus could hardly be called "under control" even before these protests started.

 

[Sam]

There seems to be an implication that those who think the protests are a bad idea are racists or somehow don't think racial inequality is important. I find that an offensive and ridiculous notion.

That is not the implication. The implication is that as (presumably) a privileged white person neither you or I can comprehend the depth of feeling that has made people feel they have no choice but to take to the streets, caused by the appalling racism that pervades at every level in this country. They're not doing this for fun.

 

[Stuie]

There seems to be an implication that those who think the protests are a bad idea are racists or somehow don't think racial inequality is important. I find that an offensive and ridiculous notion. It's more that mass gatherings for any reason right now are unwise and will simply lead to more infections and deaths. I don't consider that an unreasonable concern.

We already know R was at or above 1 in some places in the country and the virus could hardly be called "under control" even before these protests started.

The implication is that for you, right now, the most important thing is stopping this virus. For others, there are other important issues and this time presents an opportunity to make real change.

To flip what you’ve said around - people are implying that protestors don’t care about the virus, the nhs and the people that have lost their lives. That’s just not true either.

 

[GaryH]

While for the majority the protests were peaceful, I feel there were a minority there who whose aim was to just cause trouble, and take a pop at the police.

I think whatever colour your skin or your belief, everyone's concern and priority right now for the sake of all lives on the planet to control this virus and not make it worse than it is.

Anyway, that's my view, I respect other people's.

In terms of the antibody treatment news, yes that's a very positive development. Again I see treatment a way out of this rather than a successful vaccine.

 

[Sam]

I think whatever colour your skin or your belief, everyone's concern and priority right now for the sake of all lives on the planet to control this virus and not make it worse than it is.

But the crucial point which you seem to have missed (read the post above yours) is that for many people of colour the racism they face on a daily basis is far more dangerous than the virus, and that remains their "concern and priority" over the virus.

It is your white privilege that makes you assume that, because the virus is the most serious threat to you personally, it is the main priority for everybody.

 

[GaryH]

But the crucial point which you seem to have missed (read the post above yours) is that for many people of colour the racism they face on a daily basis is far more dangerous than the virus, and that remains their "concern and priority" over the virus.

It is your white privilege that makes you assume that, because the virus is the most serious threat to you personally, it is the main priority for everybody.

I dont associate with this "white privilege" label sorry. White people also experience racism. What I am saying is that if "all lives" really do matter, then the lives of all ethnic groups, all people matter, and right now, the biggest risk to people is the virus. Thats not privilege, thats the real current situation in the world. If other people feel otherwise, then fine, they can still protest, but they should respect other people, i.e. "all lives matter", and not put others at risk at the moment.

I do wonder how many of the people who went out to protest are now isolating for 2 weeks away from others......

 

[Sam]

I dont associate with this "white privilege" label sorry. White people also experience racism.

What racism have you ever experienced in your life?

 

[RoyJess]

If you don’t think now is the right time to protest, there’s a good chance you are a privileged white person.

I feel quiet offended by that comment.

I fully support their cause, but do it legally, like I said earlier, however strong you feel about racism, this don't justify throwing a mountain bike at a police horse or any other animal, this is disgusting and unacceptable behaviour.

Defacing statues (this includes Winston Churchill), causing damage to people property and business while protesting is not the way to do things.

We are in the middle of a pandemic and the law says that you are not allowed to meet up with gatherings more than 6 people from outside your house hold.

I get how people feel, as someone that is a carer for my wife who is a full time wheelchair user, as I've posted on here many times, we are always on the receiving end of hate crime each time we go out, so I do get the anger, but you don't see me out breaking the law.

As shielders, we are the ones that have fortified more than anyone else during this pandemic, we have not stepped outside our home let alone meet up with friend and family (other than for deliveries of essential items at social distancing) for the past few months. My daughter has temporally moved out to keep us safe and so that she can go out to work. We have been very much isolated.

Me saying that now is not the time to protest has nothing to do with racism, like @Rob say's, my view would have equally been the same with any mass gatherings including those seen on the beaches, and I would have said the same if it was people protesting about disable rights.

Yes protest and go for it, but do it within the law, even if it means doing it virtually on line or postpone the protest until the covid-19 crisis is over and it is safe to do so, but don't take the law into their own hands, and don't call me a privilege white person.

 

[imanautie]

I feel quiet offended by that comment.

I fully support their cause, but do it legally, like I said earlier, however strong you feel about racism, this don't justify throwing a mountain bike at a police horse or any other animal, this is disgusting and unacceptable behaviour.

Defacing statues (this includes Winston Churchill), causing damage to people property and business while protesting is not the way to do things.

We are in the middle of a pandemic and the law says that you are not allowed to meet up with gatherings more than 6 people from outside your house hold.

I get how people feel, as someone that is a carer for my wife who is a full time wheelchair user, as I've posted on here many times, we are always on the receiving end of hate crime each time we go out, so I do get the anger, but you don't see me out breaking the law.

As shielders, we are the ones that have fortified more than anyone else during this pandemic, we have not stepped outside our home let alone meet up with friend and family (other than for deliveries of essential items at social distancing) for the past few months. My daughter has temporally moved out to keep us safe and so that she can go out to work. We have been very much isolated.

Me saying that now is not the time to protest has nothing to do with racism, like @Rob say's, my view would have equally been the same with any mass gatherings including those seen on the beaches, and I would have said the same if it was people protesting about disable rights.

Yes protest and go for it, but do it within the law, even if it means doing it virtually on line or postpone the protest until the covid-19 crisis is over and it is safe to do so, but don't take the law into their own hands, and don't call me a privilege white person.

All protests start out legally, it only takes one person in authority to say one sentence and it becomes illegal....

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