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Original poster

Boris is a fighter and confident he will recover - Raab

75 replies

Lelophants · 07/04/2020 17:34

Should he really be that optimistic? The man is in ICU.

Also "he's a fighter". And all the 4000 who died weren't?

Yesterday he was all in good spirits. Feel like it's not worth them saying anything most days.

OP posts:
BestestBrownies · 07/04/2020 17:54

It comes from the same (misguided) school of thought that tells cancer patients to ‘fight’ and to ‘beat’ their illness.

Exactly the sort of language that people who undoubtedly know better use to make them seem relatable to Joe Public

GCAcademic · 07/04/2020 17:55

You do need to fight this disease, tell it to fuck off!

What a spectacularly stupid thing to say.

AJTracey · 07/04/2020 17:56

People always make comments about being a fighter, battling cancer etc etc as though its down to strength of will ie you are weak if you die. Its always jarred with me, but people don’t mean anything bad by it.

AhoyMrBeaver · 07/04/2020 17:56

I agree. The official announcements on Johnson's decline in health have been glib, and not taken into account all of those who've been through this with their loved ones. Being taken in to hospital for 'routine tests', 'precautionary' ICU placement; what about those whose relatives didn't get those things when they were still 'in good spirits' as Johnson was claimed to have been? It's all made to sound so casual and flippant which I think somehow belittles the awful situation of so many ordinary people.

I'd prefer it if they said it was serious, that obviously he's very unwell, and it can't yet be said what his recovery will be like.

MinkowskisButterfly · 07/04/2020 18:00

Maybe I am cynical bit it sounds like it maybe worse than they are letting on. Faked over optimism from them. I hope I'm wrong, I hope he recovers soon. Poor man (same for all suffering and their families) and poor Carrie. Sad

Abraid2 · 07/04/2020 18:01

Perhaps Boris finds this fighting vocabulary helps him and is what he himself uses?

I didn’t vote for him/them but I felt very shocked last night and I felt this little tribute was appropriate and rather touching.

Bimbleboo · 07/04/2020 18:03

Sorry but as much as I can’t stand Raab, it’s nothing different to what we would all say if our loved ones were critically unwell. I’m sure if it were my DH or child or friend I’d say ‘he’s a fighter, he will pull through’ It’s just the done thing isn’t it?

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 07/04/2020 18:04

Must we nit pick every tiny little thing?

Clearly your bored in lockdown, but god your going some to make a thread nit picking this

Fighting has been used when talking about illness by many for a very long time

esjee · 07/04/2020 18:06

Most people say stuff like this. Who actually cares. Aren't there bigger issues right now?

halcyondays · 07/04/2020 18:07

They said he’s not on a ventilator and doesn’t have pneumonia. He may need to go on a ventilator at some point, they don’t know yet. Nobody goes in to ICU unless they’re seriously ill, not even the PM. I don’t think it’s worse than they’re letting on, it’s just too early to know what will happen. Hopefully he’ll be ok.

vera99 · 07/04/2020 18:08

@GCAcademic I would have preferred to say dear Covint-19 would you mind please going away - like forever and leaving us humans alone.

EmMac7 · 07/04/2020 18:10

A lot of my sympathy for Boris evaporated when I read last night that he believes all illness is “weakness”.

Fuck that, that just means he’s been lucky enough not to have a serious illness mess with his certainties in life yet.

Butternutbrownie · 07/04/2020 18:11

Dominic Raab was himself a lot brighter today and not as obviously shocked as yesterday so yes, I think they've had better news of Boris's chances today.

The guy looks like a bond villain, who is to know what would make him happy. Probably salivating at the PM job.

GCAcademic · 07/04/2020 18:11

Yes, much better Vera999 - one needs to be polite in telling the virus to go away. It doesn't work if you use bad words.

MigginsMrs · 07/04/2020 18:14

It’s no different to people talking about people with cancer winning or losing their battle, I must admit that jars with me too, but it’s a commonly expressed sentiment. I’d cut him some slack though, much as he is a dickhead he looked really upset last night, he’s plainly shaken and probably trying to hold it together.

apples24 · 07/04/2020 18:15

I find the updates really insincere. If he's really that well, then he absolutely should not be in ICU. So either they are not telling the truth about his health or it's different rules for different people.

Also cannot stand the "fighting a disease" chat, it's uninformed and unhelpful.

AnneOfCloves · 07/04/2020 18:17

It’s a stupid, insensitive thing to say. Empty macho posturing.

I have a horrible feeling that when he gets over the virus he’ll pitch himself as a front line hero, putting himself in danger.

In reality he was an irresponsible arse who disregarded WHO advice, kept pubs open and kept shaking hands, put countless others at risk through his negligence... and caught a virus.

NeverTwerkNaked · 07/04/2020 18:19

I don't think we need to know the precise details of Boris's condition but the way they are handling this is just eroding trust further.
Either they are being incredibly deceitful about the severity of Boris's condition or he is getting a level of care far above and beyond what he requires.

TheoriginalLEM · 07/04/2020 18:22

Fuck sake - I cannot stand the bloke, abhor his politics but i was genuinely upset last night, and I'm worried.

Thing is- we won't know for sure until he dies or recovers. I hope it's the latter

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 07/04/2020 18:26

I didn't realise there was footage of him from last night, does anyone have a link please?

toryandproud · 07/04/2020 18:26

Actually there is a lot of evidence that having a positive fighting spirit does indeed give better outcomes against illnesses such as cancer.

That isn't to say that everyone fighting will survive, but it's indicative of the psychology required to have a better chance of overcoming disease.

I thought Raab was spot on, but trust the usual suspects to complain somehow

AravisTarkheena · 07/04/2020 18:30

It’s not like Dominic Raab was unprepared when he said that - it was a choice to use that language. Presumably other people will have been involved in deciding what to say. So it wasn’t a glib statement it is how the party want to represent Boris Johnson. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Make of that what you will.

nellythenarwhal · 07/04/2020 18:31

Agree that the fighter comment is unhelpful. You don't die because you didn't fight hard enough.

MockersxxxxxxxSocialDistancing · 07/04/2020 18:31

Raab was asked this afternoon about why so many senior govt. figures are catching it. The official line is that CV19 doesn't care who you are. The truth might also be that BJ boasted about going to a hospital and shaking hands, made a joke about "last gasp" ventilator production and continued to do business in the cramped corridors of 10DS after the warning had been sounded.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 07/04/2020 18:32

@toryandproud source?

Here's one from the Mayo clinic:

Myth: A positive attitude is all you need to beat cancer
Truth: There's no scientific proof that a positive attitude gives you an advantage in cancer treatment or improves your chance of being cured.

What a positive attitude can do is improve the quality of your life during cancer treatment and beyond. You may be more likely to stay active, maintain ties to family and friends, and continue social activities. In turn, this may enhance your feeling of well-being and help you find the strength to deal with your cancer