Sir Captain Tom Moore

Bob

Well-Known Forumite
I'm torn on this one...

I'll start by saying I thought he was an inspiration, he did a wonderful thing, he wanted to make a difference and he did.

Apparently he didn't contract corona virus while on holiday in Barbados, and because of that a decision that a holiday was more important than being responsible shouldn't be questioned, I believe he and his family did a selfish thing - ok at the time no laws were broken but just because something is legal doesn't necessarily mean its the right thing to do. We were all in the midst of rising infection rates, we all knew what the situation was, we all knew sacrifices had to be made and we were all being asked to avoid international travel.

How many millions and millions of people have sacrificed their holidays this year, how many millions and millions of people haven't see their relatives for weeks or months or at all since this time last year, how many people didn't get to say goodbye? How many people didn't get to do once in a life time things this year and how many wont get that chance again?

Sir Captain Tom Moore and his family knew he would be susceptible, they knew he hadn't been vaccinated and they knew they were taking a risk, they knew if he contracted Corona a hospitalisation would more than likely be unavoidable. And they all chose to go on holiday anyway defying Government advice at time.

A relative who passed away recently had cancelled summer holiday plans, My nephew was born last March, I haven't yet given him a cuddle because at no point has it been deemed acceptable to have any physical contact with anyone outside of your bubble. We opted to spend Christmas alone because it was the right thing to do, not because it's what we wanted to do or even had to do. We didn't have a holiday when restrictions lifted because it felt like it would be a selfish decision.

Millions of people have done the right thing day in day out, Millions of people have done the responsible thing even when they didn't legally have to. I don't think that the family of Sir Captain Tom Moore are so special that their irresponsibility shouldn't be questioned despite what Philip Schofield says and' it's a shame that he legacy is tainted, I think there are far more unrecognised people doing more for this country on a local level, making daily sacrifices and have been consistently going out of their way to help others, much more deserving of a PM lead national clap.
 
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PeterD

ST16 Represent.
He was 100. His entire support bubble was going on holiday, my guess and I don’t have facts on this, so it is a guess, is that they took him away as they wanted the holiday and they were his primary care givers. Captain Tom is bot Rita Ora. He broke no rules or laws and my guess is that it wasnt him hopping on Trivago.

Rereading this it may come off as a little stroppy. Its not the intent. I feel his family were a little foolish regarding this as public opinion is so against needless luxury travel. I feel the blame should be placed on his family and not Tom.
 
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Bob

Well-Known Forumite
He was 100. His entire support bubble was going on holiday, my guess and I don’t have facts on this, so it is a guess, is that they took him away as they wanted the holiday and they were his primary care givers. Captain Tom is bot Rita Ora. He broke no rules or laws and my guess is that it wasnt him hopping on Trivago.

I'm not saying he broke any laws but he did go against both Government and WHO advice at the time.

I'm saying he and his family made an irresponsible and selfish decision and questioning whether people who make selfish and irresponsible decisions should be more worthy of a national hero status than the millions of people who put themselves out every day, consistently make selfless and responsible decisions, or the key workers and charity fundraisers that don't have their achievements picked up by national media.
 
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Zylo

Well-Known Forumite
People are saying we should take the knee for him?????? I mean come on.

Don't get me wrong, great guy did great raising the money, and no doubt he had a fantastic last year of his life.. but as always with these kind of things everyone get's carried away.. and it's not like he or his family didn't gain anything from all the publicitiy ...

Also is it fair that he was allowed family around?? I'm so glad they was around him but what about the average joe who died alone with no family being allowed round, who may of done incredible things in his/her life but not all over facebook / media and not selling any story....

There's many so called "heroes" out there....a lot of people don't like/want the limelight .. if it's not on social media it doesn't matter apparently
 

PeterD

ST16 Represent.
People are saying we should take the knee for him?????? I mean come on.

Don't get me wrong, great guy did great raising the money, and no doubt he had a fantastic last year of his life.. but as always with these kind of things everyone get's carried away.. and it's not like he or his family didn't gain anything from all the publicitiy ...

Also is it fair that he was allowed family around?? I'm so glad they was around him but what about the average joe who died alone with no family being allowed round, who may of done incredible things in his/her life but not all over facebook / media and not selling any story....

There's many so called "heroes" out there....a lot of people don't like/want the limelight .. if it's not on social media it doesn't matter apparently

Its worth mentioning that he lived with his daughter and her family, hence them being with him.
 

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
We have patients who have been with us since before the first lockdown. They haven't been allowed to see their relatives.
 

Zylo

Well-Known Forumite
Its worth mentioning that he lived with his daughter and her family, hence them being with him.

You sure that matters? I've heard of cases when you still can't, may be wrong but i generally thought there was no exceptions, pretty sure i've heard heartbreaking stories on BBC news when a husband had to use a video chat app to wife back at home, can't remember exactly what it was but wasn't in person that's for sure.
 

Bob

Well-Known Forumite
We have patients who have been with us since before the first lockdown. They haven't been allowed to see their relatives.

That's heart-breaking, everyone is making sacrifices - some much greater than others.

@Glam can we do anything to help? Cards, letters, donations to a patient fund, small gifts?
 

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
That's heart-breaking, everyone is making sacrifices - some much greater than others.

@Glam can we do anything to help? Cards, letters, donations to a patient fund, small gifts?
Bit awkward babb, we've had put a veto on takeaways, because you don't know who's touched what!
They do get bits and bobs from relatives, socially distancing drop offs of course, We have to wipe everything down and keep it to one side for a while, just in case.
I am a bit peed off about the post subject to be honest, there was a photo on Farcebook, Sir Tom photographed with Russ Abbott and Sir Cliff Richard in Barbados, none wearing masks, if I'm remembering correctly.
I can't go and visit my very ill 90yr old Aunty in Lichfield, and they wag an old man of 100 abroad for his jollies!
 

PeterD

ST16 Represent.
You sure that matters? I've heard of cases when you still can't, may be wrong but i generally thought there was no exceptions, pretty sure i've heard heartbreaking stories on BBC news when a husband had to use a video chat app to wife back at home, can't remember exactly what it was but wasn't in person that's for sure.
Referring only to Tom Moore and why his family saw him. They were part of his bubble. Not speaking of wider issues.
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
My biggest issue is why he was famous, we're supposed to be one of the strongest economies in the world but he was that concerned at how bad the nhs was coping he tried to raise money for it. Meanwhile our government are handing billions to mates for nothing, completely eroding his sacrifice.

I don't really care that he went on holiday, he wasn't long for this world anyway, I just hope he didn't pass it on.
 

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
I'm torn on this one...

I'll start by saying I thought he was an inspiration, he did a wonderful thing, he wanted to make a difference and he did.

Apparently he didn't contract corona virus while on holiday in Barbados, and because of that a decision that a holiday was more important than being responsible shouldn't be questioned, I believe he and his family did a selfish thing - ok at the time no laws were broken but just because something is legal doesn't necessarily mean its the right thing to do. We were all in the midst of rising infection rates, we all knew what the situation was, we all knew sacrifices had to be made and we were all being asked to avoid international travel.

How many millions and millions of people have sacrificed their holidays this year, how many millions and millions of people haven't see their relatives for weeks or months or at all since this time last year, how many people didn't get to say goodbye? How many people didn't get to do once in a life time things this year and how many wont get that chance again?

Sir Captain Tom Moore and his family knew he would be susceptible, they knew he hadn't been vaccinated and they knew they were taking a risk, they knew if he contracted Corona a hospitalisation would more than likely be unavoidable. And they all chose to go on holiday anyway defying Government advice at time.

A relative who passed away recently had cancelled summer holiday plans, My nephew was born last March, I haven't yet given him a cuddle because at no point has it been deemed acceptable to have any physical contact with anyone outside of your bubble. We opted to spend Christmas alone because it was the right thing to do, not because it's what we wanted to do or even had to do. We didn't have a holiday when restrictions lifted because it felt like it would be a selfish decision.

Millions of people have done the right thing day in day out, Millions of people have done the responsible thing even when they didn't legally have to. I don't think that the family of Sir Captain Tom Moore are so special that their irresponsibility shouldn't be questioned despite what Philip Schofield says and' it's a shame that he legacy is tainted, I think there are far more unrecognised people doing more for this country on a local level, making daily sacrifices and have been consistently going out of their way to help others, much more deserving of a PM lead national clap.
Yes indeed, "there are far more unrecognised people doing more for this country on a local level, making daily sacrifices and have been consistently going out of their way to help others" and, while not denying that Tom did his laps with good intent, that's why I was irritated by the "Pray for Tom" front page headlines in two 'newspapers' the day after he went into hospital and the suggestions of a state funeral and statue,
 

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
My biggest issue is why he was famous, we're supposed to be one of the strongest economies in the world but he was that concerned at how bad the nhs was coping he tried to raise money for it. Meanwhile our government are handing billions to mates for nothing, completely eroding his sacrifice.

I don't really care that he went on holiday, he wasn't long for this world anyway, I just hope he didn't pass it on.
But it was a bit naïve to think raising money for the NHS would mean more nurses or more doses of vaccine.
 

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
My biggest issue is why he was famous, we're supposed to be one of the strongest economies in the world but he was that concerned at how bad the nhs was coping he tried to raise money for it. Meanwhile our government are handing billions to mates for nothing, completely eroding his sacrifice.

I don't really care that he went on holiday, he wasn't long for this world anyway, I just hope he didn't pass it on.
Biggest economy but how many people are in poverty. Completely broken. But they're doing their best...
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
I don't understand why he wasn't vaccinated? Why was he not first in line?
Because then someone would have started a thread complaining that he was first in line, what a disgrace, blah, blah.

The poor chap's dead. Let him be.

This thread seems utterly pointless to me. Why no thread of righteous indignation towards Rita Ora or anyone of the countless 'celebrities'/'influencers' who have committed far worse 'holiday crimes'.

Bloody hell, what have we become?
 

rudie111

Well-Known Forumite
Because then someone would have started a thread complaining that he was first in line, what a disgrace, blah, blah.

The poor chap's dead. Let him be.

This thread seems utterly pointless to me. Why no thread of righteous indignation towards Rita Ora or anyone of the countless 'celebrities'/'influencers' who have committed far worse 'holiday crimes'.

Bloody hell, what have we become?

I have no problems with his trip. He was safer there than here anyway. I just would have expected him to be one of the first vaccinated.

If we could choose how we depart this realm, I could think of worse ways TBH.
 
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