Boris will pull through because he's a "fighter"

[HavelockVetinari]

AIBU to find this extremely offensive? Are the thousands of people who've died of Covid dead because they just didn't fight hard enough?

Not acceptable, Raab.

He's trying to reassure the media, the markets and the population, because having our head of government critically ill during a crisis is a shit situation, and he knows it. I mean, what did you expect him to say? "Well yes, he's very ill and he might die?" It's true, but it's not what we need to hear from his deputy. He had no choice but to sound positive as best he could.

I've previously posted about hating it in the context of cancer, or mental health, or anything. No-one I know who has died has done so because they didn't want it enough. This isn't the bloody X factor.

It is a stupid expression. Words matter.

@ChainsawBear

Well how about 'he's surrounded by the very best medics and medical facilities in the world, so I'm confident he'll pull through'?

No, that wouldn't work, because then it points out that the rest of the commoners don't have access to this exemplary top notch medical care.

Better to paint them as 'quitters' who didn't want to survive enough.

Yep. I hate it. It's a judgment on those who die. Are we saying they're wusses?

(And I'm not one of the perpetually offended, I just think it's an illogical and silly phrase)

Tbh I never realised how upsetting the phrase was until in a conversation about a child who'd survived an awful medical situation they were described as being a fighter, and a perspective given by someone who's child has died.
It's a meaningless and thoughtless comment but he obviously isn't meaning what op is implying

No, that wouldn't work, because then it points out that the rest of the commoners don't have access to this exemplary top notch medical care.
Isn't he being treated in an NHS hospital by NHS doctors and nurses??

It doesn't offend me, but for a politician to use it, at the same podium as talking about the deaths of young medics with it, is stupid. And actually yes, offensive.

I hate it too, usually in relation to cancer (my mum was the toughest person I’ve ever met but you can’t fight off cancer that’s obliterated your digestive system) or babies / children who pull through serious illness.

It’s only slightly better than the whole “I prayed for them and God listened” angle, which I find even more offensive.

A turn of phrase and not offensive 🤦‍♀️

David Cameron said the same, including 'he's resilient and has a lot to live for', what?! That's grand so, anyone resilient who wants to live will be fine . Hard to believe such ridiculous comments. I can imagine saying it maybe to a close relative to reassure but as a public statement, no.

Meh

People need to stop getting so offended and concentrate more on what's going on in their own lives.

'Tis what it is.....

To clarify - I'm not one of the perpetually offended, I'm not a 'LockDOWNer' trying to limit anything that might be fun or enjoyable like sitting in a driveway. I just find this particular phrase offensive. Did my friend not 'fight' hard enough then? Is that why he suffered through a week in intensive care and then died, leaving 2 kids behind? It's ridiculous, he fought as hard as he could, and had everything to live for, but he still died.

It was a thoughtless thing to say when so many have lost loved ones. It might well be offensive to the recently bereaved. I think most of us would not wish to give anyone in that circumstance further pain.

He's trying to reassure people, not upset them. Boris being in ICU has shcoked a lot of people.

HavelockVetinari

Did my friend not 'fight' hard enough then? Is that why he suffered through a week in intensive care and then died, leaving 2 kids behind? It's ridiculous, he fought as hard as he could, and had everything to live for, but he still died
Sorry to hear about your friend.

I don’t think calling one particular person ‘a fighter’ means that other people weren’t ‘fighters’. It just means that they are trying to stay positive that the person will be able to overcome the condition, it isn’t a reflection on others who aren’t so lucky

I hate that turn of phrase too. It seems to have used it about cancer patients for years and it’s just as irritating when it’s applied to other conditions including Coronavirus.

He's probably very worried about Boris and trying to reassure himself as well as anyone else ,I do think some people look to be offended

“It’s only slightly better than the whole “I prayed for them and God listened” angle, which I find even more offensive.”

Yep I agree - so someone who has lost a loved one wasn’t prayed for enough and God didn’t listen

I hate the phrase as well. Yes your mindset does make a difference to illness - stats show that on average, positive people will have fewer illnesses and they will be less severe than pessimists for example. But on an individual level, luck, genetics, and environmental factors make much more of a difference than how much of a 'fighter' you are. And I imagine if I had a relative that had died, i would find it offensive that the implication is they died because they didn't fight hard enough

I agree it's not great but often when people are sick and dying people just don't know what to stay and end up saying something stupid.

In this case Raab's speech will have been carefully scripted though, so he used it to influence the public's opinion of BoJo.

Yes the phrasing can be translated into being insensitive.

But let's get a grip here! The PM is in hospital with an illness that has killed 50% of people who have ended up in ICU where he is.

The country is facing unprecedented times and a massive financial crash afterwards. It's facing untold decades of recovery from people MH, employment, building back up the Nhs and also we still need to Brexit!

It's meant to be rallying and positive.

Sadly he just doesn't have the same personality as BoJo when he does the same sort of speeches.

But let's me fair to the guy. He isn't PM. He's suddenly been thrust into the role during the bidders crisis we've faced in most people's lifetimes.

And no - he also can't tell us on Wednesday the 8th April what will happen to lockdown on Monday 13th April when it's reviewed.
And no we aren't likely to just return to normal. Everyone called for lockdown like other EU countries, do they really now want us to come out of it earlier when we are clearly tracking the same path?

I sometimes despair at peoples stupidity and nitpicking at times.

It's a silly turn of phrase. In all instances where it's used in terms of a health issue.

I agree, it’s a horrible thoughtless phrase.