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Original poster

So now we are allowed to visit second homes.......

370 replies

Loadsadosh · 05/04/2020 09:30

Is this a case of do what I say, not what I do......
“The Chief Medical Officer in Scotland, Catherine Calderwood, 51, was snapped strolling across a golf course with her husband and kids after flouting lockdown advice by heading to her coastal property this weekend.”

The response from the Scottish Government......
”An SNP Government spokesman replied: “Since this start of this epidemic, the CMO has been working seven days a week preparing Scotland’s response.
“She took the opportunity this weekend to check on a family home in Fife as she knows she will not be back again until the crisis is over.
“She stayed overnight before returning to Edinburgh. In line with guidance she stayed within her own household group and observed social distancing with anyone she was in passing in the village.”

I am sure everyone else who has a second home would like to use it, or check on it, as well! Am I being unfair in thinking this is double standards and an absolute disgrace that this has been defended by a Government spokesman.

OP posts:
Callo · 05/04/2020 09:56

Yes the Royals were wrong too and there have been threads on that. It doesn't excuse the chief medical officer doing the same though

Ponoka7 · 05/04/2020 09:56

sufferingsandra
"Has it ever been said that we can’t visit second homes?"

Yes it was made clear, likewise caravans etc. It puts pressure on local services which aren't equipped for dealing with a surge in population, in a crisis like this.

It also comes under unnecessary travel.

JosephineKarlsson
" Prince Charles, the Queen and the Cambridges set the precedent."

No they didn't because where they have gone to is classed as their residence and they will stay there until lock down ends. They went before the stricter measures came in.

MargotLovedTom1 · 05/04/2020 09:56

NannyOgg from the Scottish Government website: You must stay at home, do not travel unless for food, health and essential work.

Original poster
Loadsadosh · 05/04/2020 09:57

“Dr Catherine Calderwood, 51, tweeted a snap of her family clapping the NHS outside her Edinburgh pad on Thursday.”

She tells others to ‘stay home’ to help the NHS, then ignores her own advice and does exactly what she tells others not to do! Some role model to all those risking their life on the frontline!

OP posts:
ChicChicChicChiclana · 05/04/2020 09:58

Interesting. Unless the published guidelines for Scotland are different to those of the UK she should be fined at the very least.

C8H10N4O2 · 05/04/2020 10:00

No they didn't because where they have gone to is classed as their residence and they will stay there until lock down ends.

Oh come on, Birkhall is not Charles' residence any more the Windsor is the Queen's. These are their weekend cottages/Summer homes.

The Royals, like other wealthy people, have multiple options open to them and feel entitled to exercise that choice. Whilst everyone else is being told they shouldn't do the same.

Myohmy111 · 05/04/2020 10:00

She is no doubt breaking the rules and her conduct should not be repeated But to suggest that she should be sacked for this is just ridiculous.

Pelleas · 05/04/2020 10:00

YANBU. I don't have a second home but I'd give anything to see my elderly parents 200 miles away - however, I understand the importance of the rules so I will just have to hope they survive long enough for me to see them again. It's really upsetting to hear of senior figures flouting the rules when so many ordinary people are following them despite the cost to their mental wellbeing.

Ohdeariedear · 05/04/2020 10:02

I can understand wanting to check all is fine and if she’d just gone up and back, by herself that would have been questionable but understandable. It’s a 2.5 hour round trip from Edinburgh, easily done by someone in the family.

But the government statement makes it clear that she went overnight and in a group, albeit from her household group, which smack of ‘oh let’s just grab a quick night away, and we can check on the house’. That’s totally unacceptable and it’s incredible that anyone thought otherwise.

Enough4me · 05/04/2020 10:02

The fine isn't based on income is it? So to the rich a fine is less than the cost of a meal out and not a disincentive to breaking rules?

Lordfrontpaw · 05/04/2020 10:03

Why did they all need to go if they needed to go at all?

Lynda07 · 05/04/2020 10:05

There's nothing wrong with going home whether it be first, second or third. Most of us only have one, I realise that but if you did have a home that you felt wold be more comfortable, you can go there as long as it is a direct drive, no stopping off or seeing anyone on the way, and you isolate while you are there.

rwalker · 05/04/2020 10:05

Irrespective if you could validate it by saying it's essential to check(grey area).
How unearth did she think publicly it would support the message they are sending about staying at home.
Don't think now is the time to swap CMO think she should be given 6 months notice to quit

ElsieMc · 05/04/2020 10:05

Our near neighbours believe no rules apply to them. Their son is there visiting at the moment after undertaking a long journey to get there. We saw him yesterday. This is who they are, they are self important bullies and to hell with everyone else.

We live by holiday homes which have remained empty for the past couple of weeks. Mind you, they remain empty most of the time tbh.

She should not have done that and has been caught red handed. She might well have worked 24/7 over the past few weeks, but then so have nhs staff. Why should she be the exception to the rule. She has made a huge error of judgement and no matter how hard she has worked, she has nil credibility now.

FamilyOfAliens · 05/04/2020 10:06

Why did they all need to go if they needed to go at all?

^^ This

Chemenger · 05/04/2020 10:06

The excuse that she wanted to check on the house is just laughable. The whole family and their dogs needed to go to check out a house? You can easily drive from Edinburgh to Elie and back in an afternoon if it was essential to visit to check the house was still standing. I bet she’s not looking forward to the next press conference.

LittleRa · 05/04/2020 10:07

Definitely wasn’t “checking” on her second home, but was rather having a night away. Which we’d all love to do!

FamilyOfAliens · 05/04/2020 10:08

There's nothing wrong with going home whether it be first, second or third. Most of us only have one, I realise that but if you did have a home that you felt wold be more comfortable, you can go there as long as it is a direct drive, no stopping off or seeing anyone on the way, and you isolate while you are there.

No, it’s a non-essential journey, so not allowed.

It doesn’t matter how much “more comfortable” you’d feel in your second home.

Ohdeariedear · 05/04/2020 10:09

@lynda07 there was a huge uproar here in Scotland about people decamping to their second homes as it puts a strain on existing services in those (mostly rural) areas. Clear guidance was given that we should stay at our main home and not go elsewhere and measures have been put in place to stop people doing it - for example the ferries are now only taking people who can prove they either live on the destination island or are a key worker on essential business. So it’s been made very clear what the official position has been in this in Scotland.

Chemenger · 05/04/2020 10:09

I can think of nothing I’d like better than a break in Elie right now, but our booking for next week was cancelled, which seems very unfair since we too were travelling in a family group and could have self isolated while there.

Questionsmorequestions · 05/04/2020 10:11

Numerous ‘celebrities ‘ are pictured in their alternate homes including the Beckhams in the Cotswolds and the papers don’t make any mention of the hypocrisy . Then they show some poor chap picking up paint and B and Q and he is accused of irresponsible behaviour. Double standards are all over our society.
Our holiday home is now home to three NHS staff , free rent and bills with food deliveries sorted by the local community. How many would fit into these palatial second/ third homes?

Chemenger · 05/04/2020 10:13

I was being sarcastic in my last post, just in case anyone thinks we don’t understand why there is no question of us going to a holiday home.

KoalasandRabbit · 05/04/2020 10:13

We have our old house and would have liked DH to have been able to go down and turn water off and drive straight back but we didn't as not sure it's allowed though our insurance is now invalid for water leaks. It's certainly not essential to stay overnight or take whole family with you.

RippleEffects · 05/04/2020 10:14

I don't doubt she's been working incredibly hard, as have many, many doctors, nurses, cleaning and support staff.

Lots of high profile people are in their second/third/ fourth homes. Charles was actually reported to have travelled whilst showing signs, William and family.

It clearly wasn't essential travel. Bad judgement and a bad example.

Is it going to help anyone to fine/ pressure/ divert the attention or sack someone commiting 7 days a week to an essential role that they know in time of crisis and to have to go through the rigmorole of hiring a replacement and getting them upto speed?

stophuggingme · 05/04/2020 10:16

@JosephineKarlsson
Precisely this.

It’s the do as I say not as I do bunch.