Does anyone find sobbing nurses etc in The News every night, in any way helpful?

[Miljea]

.... or does this footage rapidly lose its impact?

I sort of feel 'Yes, we know, and if the first months of footage failed to shock and awe, this won't!'. If anything, all it does is to numb people.

Ditto the non-contextualised rolling statistics.

Do you think it's an actual strategy, to bombard us with this? If it is, I fear it's not working.

FTR I'm coalface, Covid facing, full PPE NHS, tho not ICU.

But I have got up and personal with Covid that is killing people. Including in ICU.

But I don't think the News' blanket slightly blurry footage of HCPs all kitted up going about their business, interspersed with interviews with sobbing nurses- really helps. I have even heard the 'for God's sake, it's their job' remarks (at the hairdressers, when they were briefly open, TV on).

That person was argued with by her mate, but I do wonder whether too much of this sort of coverage makes people weary of it.

[the80sweregreat]

The staff are tired and demoralized and who can blame them? They probably have a well earned day off , only to see others out and about flouting the rules. They must absolutely despair.

[ssd]

We should all be sobbing at what this government has done to the NHS.

[Msmcc1212]

I think you are assuming there is some kind of plan within the media in terms of ‘what works’. It’s the news. They are reporting what is happening. Many NHS staff are getting burnt out, traumatised and suffering from moral injury. That is happening and being reported. Not great plan. It’s important that we know that. Just like it’s important that we know about other issues where our fellow human beings are suffering. Where we can offer support we then can. Where we can make a difference we then can. If we can’t do anything about then at least those suffering have had their experiences witnessed and validated. Don’t see what the issue here is really. Would you question footage of people crying after a terrorist attack?

[the80sweregreat]

@ssd

We should all be sobbing at what this government has done to the NHS.

I agree.

[Catty1720]

I don’t think it helps it always seems staged I don’t need to see crying nurses to imagine the stress and pressure and I don’t need crying to nurses to make me stay home.

[RoseAndRose]

Because you are 'in there' you won't have a clue what the impact of this footage has on the wider population who aren't.

I think it is right that the stories are told.

Doing a series of reports on a theme over a week or so is not unusual for the BBC (and other channels) and it's not a new style of reporting, let alone one created just for covid.

[5zeds]

I think it’s a good idea and it should scare some sense into people. There are people popping to the garden centre ffs. I think some people don’t believe or understand unless they see.

[DobbyTheHouseElk]

I didn’t need to see that tonight. I’m in a bad mental health situation now. Was on the edge, that tipped me over. I’m not breaking rules. I’ve become a hermit.

[Graciebobcat]

I think you are assuming there is some kind of plan within the media in terms of ‘what works’. It’s the news

You seem to be labouring under the impression that the news is objective. There is always a point of view and a story they want to tell. Today it was appparently to portray Covid as something we are helpless to treat, prevent and are unlikely to recover from when the truth is far from it. I'm not saying that what is going on in hospitals should not be reported but I would also like there to be some balance and perspective.

[christinarossetti19]

"I felt that those being filmed were being used to put together a story that the news editors had decided to run with. Rather than "news" it was a cut and paste film attempting to provoke emotion and scare people."

Um, that's what news reports are. The story is that covid is fucking devastating for the health service and many families.

If 'the news' wasn't reporting that about covid, which is rather dominating our lives at the moment, what on earth would they be reporting?

[Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum]

@Physer

I was hoping it might be a wake up call to those who still think it's all a myth.

Totally agree

And that is obviously why they film it. Not some sinister plot to control us by fear. As some would suggest.

[maturinsslothe]

@the80sweregreat

The staff are tired and demoralized and who can blame them? They probably have a well earned day off , only to see others out and about flouting the rules. They must absolutely despair.

Hear hear

[BeforetheFlood]

I always think the film crews must get massively in the way. And the woman from ITV (Emily Morgan??) is in a different hospital every day - how does that work with infection control?

It always strikes me as being ironic that the reporters are imploring us to stay at home and protect the NHS whilst going into covid wards unnecessarily and distracting the overstretched staff.

[Calmandmeasured1]

I have only noticed this once and that was on this evening's BBC news. I know that the staff have to be professional and can't be overly emotional as they wouldn't otherwise be able to do their job. However, although I was very moved by the nurse who was so upset, in one way, I was pleased that she was deeply affected too because it showed her humanity. I have heard others talk about the situation but not see such open emotion. It made me feel that if my relatives were in hospital she would do her absolute best for them and would envelop then with care.

[boysonthesofa]

Sorry but it is necessary - the urgency needs to be communicated to some stupid people in this country such as the ones shouting outside a hospital in central London that the whole thing is a hoax. Unfortunately a lot of these desperate pieces are for the people who just don't fucking get it.

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

I felt that those being filmed were being used to put together a story that the news editors had decided to run with. Rather than "news" it was a cut and paste film attempting to provoke emotion and scare people

Unfortunately that's pretty much what "journalism" amounts to now
That's not to say none of it is actually happening of course, but media manipulation's pretty easy to spot when it's that blatant

Unfortunately again it'll make little difference to those already doing their best except to depress us still further, and those who simply don't care aren't going to start because of weeping nurses - so it's all a bit pointless really

[Remmy123]

It's a stark contrast to them doing tik tok dances last time!

[Chickenqueen]

They are hard to watch but personally I find they remind me of why we are making the sacrifices we are. I think it’s right to show what’s happening, so people don’t disconnect with reality.

[Fatandfifty49]

I must admit, I agree. I'm not denying it is bad or that it exists or that it is tough on HCPs.

I'm just tired of the media taking every second to scare the shit out of us.

It's not just the rule breakers who are catching or spreading this. They are in the minority. Most people I know are following the rules - even the teenagers.

As an essential worker, I have no choice but to expose myself to a higher level of risk every day and so, for my mental health, the last thing I need is the threat of Covid shoved in my face over my morning cup of tea. We know.

Most people I know gave caught it 'legitimately ' with the rules. It's just a terrible virus. I am getting sick of the notion that it always has yo be someone's fault

[quarentini]

I can't watch it . Not because I find it upsetting but because I'm annoyed that a film crew is allowed in there.
I'm annoyed it's got to this point that things are so bad , so I just see it all as annoying.

[LetItGoGo]

No but I guess it's not aimed at me.

[edwinbear]

Well it’s frightened the living daylights out of me and I was starting to get lockdown weary and not quite as careful as I might/could have been. I’m in London and it’s made sure I continue to stick to the rules religiously, upsetting though it is to see.

[Moondust001]

It's compassion fatigue. Different causes, same effect. Tell people something often enough, and it doesn't matter whether it is true or not - they simply cannot maintain the effort of "caring". And it isn't as bad as it sounds either. Imagine always caring about people dying, or sick or some other dire circumstance, with no let up. We've seen it with wars and with famines and other natural disasters. The only difference is that now it is happening to us, and we participate, not just watch.

[Goldieloxx]

Bit unfair to say they are in the wrong job, this is unprecedented after all. The news is there to report on realities, if you don't like it, change the channel

[Bluntness100]

It’s always the bbc too. I just roll my eyes now and switch to sky. It’s always so relentlessly worst case scenario. As negative as they can make it. Give me a balanced view please. Not fergus Walsh telling us we are all going to die every night.