AIBU to ask what you think about the protests?

[Raspberryberret]

Genuinely interested in opinions. For those who are vehemently against schools re-opening because of the risk of coronavirus, what is your view on the BLM protests and the risks of infection across the country due to these mass gatherings?

What is your question re YABU/YANBU? I strongly support schools reopening, I think mass protests are a bad idea at the current time. Not sure at all if YABU or YANBU.

As a teacher, I am keen to go back to work.

As an ally, I support the protests, and understand that those who protest do so because this is a true human rights issue, and it CANNOT wait

Why have you decided to draw a comparison between these two unrelated things?

I fully support black people. Racism is evil and sadly still exists. It must be eradicated. Black people are the people who suffer the most from racism.

I do worry that more black lives will be lost in some weeks from now due to Covid that was spread when so many people mixed together in London and in the other locations.

I so wish there was a good way to put the message across and be heard that didn't give SARS-CoV-2 the opportunity to infect more people. But how?

I am very concerned that so many protested with no thought of social distancing. I feel that where the protests turned violent it undermines the thoughts behind the protest. Many people will now be less sympathetic

I think the timing is unfortunate and I’m generally pro-lockdown but I support the protesters - it’s such an important issue and it’s not something that can just be put on ice until the pandemic is over. I also believe most protesters are doing it for the greater good, which IMO is very different from people who break lockdown rules purely for their own interests e.g. Cummings, Jenrick et al

I support the message and I would support a socially distanced protest. But there has been no social distancing taking place whatsoever which means these protests have acted as an ideal opportunity for the virus to spread.

They are a massive ‘fuck you’ to the NHS staff who have been dealing with this for months and thought we may now just be turning a corner.

IMO you cannot criticise Dominic Cummings for his antics, which as bad as they were, did not really involve any breach of social distancing, yet support thousands of people gathering right next to each other.

If there is a second wave in 2 weeks, these people will be responsible for the deaths that will entail- despite the virtues of their cause.

Unfortunately the trouble makers are getting all the headlines , the yobs throwing bottles at police in Whitehall right now

It is really bad timing with the virus but that is how it goes sometimes and it isn't like it would be much better for a good while and the right to protest is a fundamental right I wouldn't want suppressed.

The scenes we are witnessing on the news and on social media are disgusting! If they want to protest then do it peacefully! Rioting and disrupting the place , injuring people doing their job is vile!

We are in the middle of a pandemic and have been on lockdown for the last 10/11 weeks, this weekend of protests has put that all on the line! Showing that the past 11 weeks has been a waste of time for people actually sticking to the rules! 2nd spike is on its way!

I feel like people think if you dont support the protest you are racist. I hate the violence that is going on.

My view is it's not like protesting because you can't get your hair cut or your nails done. No one I know who is protesting is doing it lightly or flippantly, but they want to protest precisely because it is so important it should be done even now.

They are outdoors and should be relatively safe, and a lot of protests are smaller and socially distanced.

I am appalled beyond belief that anyone would go out protesting during a pandemic.

Seemsthe government are off the hook because no one can blame them for what happens next. It's the abhorrent fools that all got together.

The police themselves have said the majority of protesters were peaceful. They seem to have been very mindful of hand sanitising, and masks.

In the US, we have seen the medical staff come out and clap the Protesters.

As I tried to tell my daughters when they wanted to protest, (they weren't allowed to, because apparently they knew it all already and wouldn't listen, negotiate or agree as to some basic guidelines), you've got to see it from both points of view. The police don't have the luxury of seeing you on the side of mass demonstration as an individual. They're there to do crowd control. And for the protesters - you're going to be judged on the worst individual in the crowd. Out of thousands, there might have been ten that were lobbing bikes at the horses - that's the ten you're going to be judged on - and policed on.

Dh is an NHS Doctor. The timing is not just “unfortunate” it’s bloody madness to attend a mass gathering just now. It’s a kick in the teeth for all the NHS staff, including those who lost their lives (mostly BAME). I’m sure they would be bloody horrified to see the crowds. The last thing NHS staff want now is to have to deal with another spike in cases.
And yes normally I support the democratic right to protest, and this is certainly a very worthwhile cause - however I do not support violence/ vandalism/ hurting animals.

I'm against racism but those going to a mass gathering during a pandemic are idiots. The lack of social distancing and violence has harmed their cause not helped it.

I would have a very low opinion of anyone who attended.

What does it have to do with schools opening though? The 2 things are entirely unrelated. My children are in year groups that are not due back at school yet. I'm relieved about that in a way as i have no decision to make. I want to keep them safe but they also desperately need more than the hone home schooling and bike rides I can provide for them.

The schools should open and return ASAP. I'm sure more could be done to facilitate this.

The protests were wrong because of social distancing. I support the idea, the cause, but it shouldn't have been done, because of covid.

As a front line nhs worker I feel very strongly about maintaining social distancing as long as we can so sadly I didn't agree with them going ahead at this particular time.

@mbosnz

Except masks are for situations where you are unavoidably close to others- they are not effective. Otherwise we may as well just open everything up and have everyone in masks.

There was no social distancing in the footage I saw and very few wearing masks.

I'm in favour of the schools reopening (for various reasons that I think I've posted elsewhere) and I'm also in favour of the protests.

I think it's important to maintain our right to protest, it's important to challenge racism and I think it's particularly important to remember that this virus is affecting BAME communities far more than whites. I think the media coverage of the small minority of violent, disruptive people is evidence of why the protests are important. And from the comments I've seen in local Facebook groups, I'm utterly appalled about the amount of racism that still exists

I guess, at this point, it's up to every one to use their own judgment and discretion, especially about such a vital and immediate situation. Use their 'British common sense and judgment' in view of a life threatening situation.

I support them entirely and I wish we lived in a world where racism no longer existed. However as an nhs nurse I am utterly terrified of a second spike, my mental health has already taken a battering and I feel that anyone attending ANY mass gathering for ANY reason is increasing the risk of a spike in cases. I don’t like that people have been hurt on either side of this, and I don’t like that animals have been hurt either. But mostly I just want people to adhere to guidance because this pandemic affects us all and BAME are already being disproportionately affected!

There was a small ( few hundred ) people in my small town..
The police didn't even attend .
Apparently organisers said was fine as they would all wear masks.
A local community type cafe opened its doors for the one toilet to be shared
yesterday the organisers suddenly realise dry needed actually to organise something . and we're asking for high viz vests
sums it up really.

Except masks are for situations where you are unavoidably close to others

So like where you're taking part in a demonstration?

We must be watching different things. I've seen plenty of masks.

I fully support the protests as they are a CHOICE

I support teachers working in schools when it's safe and when BAME /Shielded teachers are protected from losing their jobs

How do people think people got to the protests? Even if being outside was safe, people will have packed public transport.
I fully support the message and protests in any other way at any other time- but I’m now so worried that London will see numbers rise, they will close my child’s nursery and we will be in this state for so much longer.