"He boosted a nation's morale at a time when it desperately needed boosting. He tried to do good, bring positivity out of a dreadful situation, and I've no doubt he was a decent man.
He was also recognised for his act of altruism, lauded in the press, respected and valued by the public, and knighted for his efforts. All while he was alive and still able to appreciate the sentiment. As of today, he's not. What earthly good will a round of applause do him now? He won't know.
I agree with the point made by a PP about charity fundraising plugging the gap left in a public service which should have been adequately funded in the first place. Given the law of unintended consequences I hope this hasn't set a precedent.
The points being made about his holiday are unbelievably petty. Good decision: it was his last, as it turned out. And at his age that's always a factor to take into consideration. I say good for him.
Respect to him, he became a face of hope in a dark time and did something good for other people. The 'forced clapping' thing though is far too reminiscent of dictatorships for my liking. There's enough of that sort of thing stealing into society right now, without voluntarily adding to it. I didn't do the 'mandatory' neighbourhood demonstration for the NHS, and won't be doing so now."
This ^ Boris telling us we must all come together and clap (for whatever reason) following the government's handling of covid is insidious. The original NHS clapping that came from public support and did boost morale for many was very different, but it ran its course.
So many of us have lost loved ones, so many lives have been lost or dramatically changed in the last year. As a mark of respect I will use my vote, I will sign petitions, I will lend support to good causes. But I will not be called disrespectful for not following a directive from the government to clap.