The big anti-Covid pass protest tomorrow in London

[User135644]

AIBU or is this really not helpful to have them all gathering in the middle of London? It's the new epicentre of Covid while the virus peaks to previously unseen levels case wise. They're protesting against any new restrictions yet their actions tomorrow will make restrictions more likely.

I accept their right to protest but think it's unhelpful at this juncture, especially a week before Christmas. No doubt people bused in from around the country who'll then spread it back to their own home town.

Not to mention a lot of these people will be unvaccinated which puts the hospitals under more strain if it turns into a superspreader event. These Saturday protest jollies in London are always filled with anti-vax speakers, posters and paraphernalia.

And also, for those banging on about freedom, I wonder if it has crossed your mind that those who are immunocompromised are having their freedoms restricted WITHOUT having a choice in the matter because of YOUR choices. Having a choice does not mean 'the right to do what I like'. You have a choice of things, that doesn't change because your preferred option isn't one of them.

I support anyone's right to peacefully protest. And I don't agree with bringing in covid passports. We have to draw a line somewhere in terms of intrusion into our lives and privacy. Once you give rights away you don't get them back. And I'm fully vaxxed before anyone calls me an antivaxxer. Nothing to do with vaccines, everything to do with freedom.

I also think it's strange that everyone is so up in arms about passes like they're a new thing. Some of you don't have social lives and it shows.

@XenoBitch

If it was a protest about something else... say maybe a protest about social care failing in detecting the little Arthur case.... would you be posting about it?

Yes but it isn’t is it. It’s a protest about covid that will potentially make covid worse.

@Pedalpushers
I wonder if it has crossed your mind that those who are immunocompromised are having their freedoms restricted WITHOUT having a choice in the matter because of YOUR choices

False. They are having their freedoms restricted because they unfortunately have conditions that make them vulnerable and because the government refuses to fund the NHS the way it deserves.

I’ve had no problems getting LFTs

The government doesn't give a shiny shit about what anyone thinks.
Having to show your status to prove you are worthy is anti democratic which 94 conservative mps agree with. It doesn't prevent the spread of a disease, gives a false sense of security and allows a veneer of safety. Scratch under the surface government christmas parties) and its another thing.
This is one protest that I can get behind.

@Twillow

Excuse my ignorance *@PestoSugarPlumFairy* but I don't really understand how vaccine passports are an assault on our liberties? What is the thinking there? Doesn't it give people more freedom to go out?

If people play along and have the vaccine, they are granted privileges, or rewards. This is coercion masquerading as freedom.

@Pedalpushers

I also think it's strange that everyone is so up in arms about passes like they're a new thing. Some of you don't have social lives and it shows.

Not sure what this means Haven't been out much in the last two years though.

@DroopyClematis

I won't be joining. Both my adult children have just tested positive. I have a very frail elderly mum who has spent the last two Christmases alone. I'm due to collect her next week. My choice is have my mum but not my children who will have Christmas on their own. Or vice Versa. It's stupid, spreading events that is making things worse.

@DroopyClematis

I'm sorry to hear that x

I'd have your Mum!

Your adult children probably won't min over watching tv & getting delivery food etc

Your mum woukd probably appreciate the company more, plus she's less likely to give you covid than they are!!

@LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus I suppose you will say the same as owning a passport? driving licence? or a gun licence? after these must also be coercion masquerading as freedom.

I live in a country with vaccine passports. There are constant protests about that, about lockdown, about everything the protesters don't agree with. The result - nothing has changed so all they are doing is making a nuisance of themselves and probably spreading covid.

Bless you @NovemberNovemberDarkNights
But my problem is exposing my mum to our 'germs' as it were.
We are now having to submit test results every day but we're not sure that we will be covid free to have my mum here.
It's less than 10 days and she's quite frail now.

I wouldn't ever protest about it (especially a week before Christmas where I could end up stuck isolating over Christmas) and I do have one as I have a large indoor even booked this weekend and I really want to go, however I do have to question the validity of vaccine passports, myself and my husband we're double jabbed when we got covid so it doesn't stop you catching it at all, vaccination manages your symptoms meaning a lot of vaccinated people will be walking around positive but asymptomatic so likely wouldn't have tested. Based on that logic proof of a negative test is much safer if you're likely to be in a crowded area.

@Merrymerry2

DH is going. It isn't a jolly to use your words, op. I support his right to protest and glad some of you can understand why he is going. Obviously not you op!!

Considering there's big football matches and lots of people being compressed into small spaces on trains etc. I am not at all bothered about him being in an open space where he is free to move around.

Good for him. Tell him there are loads of us with him in spirit ✊✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

@Pedalpushers

And also, for those banging on about freedom, I wonder if it has crossed your mind that those who are immunocompromised are having their freedoms restricted WITHOUT having a choice in the matter because of YOUR choices. Having a choice does not mean 'the right to do what I like'. You have a choice of things, that doesn't change because your preferred option isn't one of them.

Sadly, even if 100% of everyone who can be vaxxed ( including babies) does get vaccinated, those who are immunocompromised will still be at risk.

[quote Dottybackorcid]@LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus I suppose you will say the same as owning a passport? driving licence? or a gun licence? after these must also be coercion masquerading as freedom. [/quote]
Your strange false equivalences make no sense.

Making it a requirement to prove vaccination status to participate in society is coercive. It's a slippery slope taking away people's bodily autonomy over this.

[quote Dottybackorcid]@LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus I suppose you will say the same as owning a passport? driving licence? or a gun licence? after these must also be coercion masquerading as freedom. [/quote]

The good thing about that protest is some of the Anti restrictions gang will be off here for a few hours 😃 bless them 🤭

The result - nothing has changed so all they are doing is making a nuisance of themselves and probably spreading covid.

Problem is some of them - the shadowy often with far right links people behind all these 'Freeedom' protests - want both those things. Causing a nuisance and spreading Covid.

Funny isn't it. You never see Freeddooom marches for smokers to smoke on trains or for heroin to be legal. Just the 'right' to harm public health measures in a pandemic. Odd that.

@alienbaby

Vaccine passes are a bullying tool used by weak societies.

If you cant reach your people clearly and precisely enough through communicating about the benefits of the vaccine then have a think why

"People are sick of experts", for example. We've spent too long in this country giving the same value to opinions as we do facts. Now some people don't know the difference when they read something online. 'Tis what happens when education isn't priority for the government.

YANBU btw OP.

It's pretty offensive really.

London's hospitals are buckling. People are struggling in ICU, people are grieving loved ones, HCP and other frontline workers are on their knees. People will be dying of Covid in London's hospitals whilst this lot take actions that will kill and disable many more.

Heaven help the poor patients in any ambulances delayed by this motley crew.

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/17/hundreds-off-work-ill-at-leading-london-hospital-as-omicron-cases-surge

A protest is not peaceful when it causes severe distress to patients, staff, and families. Nor is it peaceful when it causes disruption and likely ambulance delays in an already struggling city.

@Tealightsandd

The result - nothing has changed so all they are doing is making a nuisance of themselves and probably spreading covid.

Problem is some of them - the shadowy often with far right links people behind all these 'Freeedom' protests - want both those things. Causing a nuisance and spreading Covid.

Funny isn't it. You never see Freeddooom marches for smokers to smoke on trains or for heroin to be legal. Just the 'right' to harm public health measures in a pandemic. Odd that.

Yeah that’s so weird. It’s almost like people want a choice what to put in their bodies to be able to do every day essential things like visit a supermarket or go to the doctors.

Its the cockeyed risk perception of a large chunk of the population that is making restrictions more likely. Its a vicious circle between government seeking to assure people they do not require to be ordered into house arrest, then spinelessly back tracking because people shout a bit louder to be put under house arrest. Fuck knows how we get back from this. Im wholly against further restrictions, however I find myself conversely hoping it happens just to silence the hysteria, to get some peace, and just hope Spring brings some semblance of sanity; though I'm not holding out much hope of that tbf.

There are covid protesters most days outside parliament / in the west end, that's why it's not covered in the press, it's not news it's business as usual. I support their right to protest but I wish they would choose somewhere else occasionally and give us a break...