27/03/2020
There have been many positive posts on social media during this period of crisis across the globe, every one of which is heart warming. And there has been a fabulous response from people who have volunteered to help as NHS volunteers.
They were asking for 250,000 volunteers and, overnight, they got 170,000. The number kept rising, passing 500,000 within a couple of days. The response has been so incredible that they have increased the target number of volunteers to 750,000.
This shows just how wonderful the great British public can be.
However, at the same time, there are those who are using the global pandemic as a tool in a campaign of lies, misinformation and hate.
At a time when we should be pulling together, these imbeciles are trying to cause division.
Everyone across the UK and almost every part of the world is in a similar position. We are facing unprecedented peace time restrictions.
And yet, these idiots are spreading memes meant to create mistrust of those trying to steer us through these dark times, and hatred for those they seek to blame for the creation of this pandemic.
These memes do not help us find answers, or solutions.
That isn't their objective. Their objectives are all focused around negativity.
So, why do we allow them to have an impact?
When their posts appear on our social media feeds; what should we do?
We certainly shouldn't share them, as far too many people do.
When you see that meme and it sparks anger in you; stop. Â Don't react. Â Don't share it.
Pause and think....
Someone created that meme. Why did they do it?
It seems, to me at least, that very few of these relatively modern communication tools are created with purely innocent purpose.
Many are created as satirical art. They aim to make us laugh; at ourselves or at others.
But, most are created to steer opinion. And seldom in a positive way.
Some do, such as those that were used to promote ClapForOurCarers.
But, the vast majority appear to be aimed at creating ill feeling.
I've actually not heard anyone suggest that our Prime Minister is a hero. So, I have no idea as to why people would feel the need to create this meme. Virtually all of the people we do call heroes are doing the job they're paid to do (which this meme seems to suggest negates the ability to be classed as a hero).
If you take this meme seriously, members of our Armed Forces who are awarded medals for their heroic acts cannot be classed as heroes because they are doing the job they are paid to do. Our doctors and nurses doing double shifts to try and help save lives cannot be seen as heroes; because that's their job.
There is no logic.
It's fine to say that Boris Johnson hasn't sacrificed enough to be classed as a hero; and to state that being a politician isn't a heroic occupation, but this meme means nothing.
Italy have definitely tested more of its citizens the the UK.
That's hardly surprising, given they were affected earlier than we were.
However, there has been a lot of criticism in Italy about how tests have been dealt with. The national government have criticised the Lombardy region for ignoring global guidelines to focus tests on people who are showing symptoms of the virus.
The fact is that, given where the UK is in the cycle, the number of tests is actually in line with (or ahead of) most countries.
Getting back to the meme; it is factually incorrect in how it suggests Italy and the UK approach testing. There is nothing to gain from the false narrative; aside from the spreading of mistrust.
Last night, Thursday 26th March 2020, many people across the UK started to clap at 8:00 p.m. I was amongst them, as was my daughter. In the close where I live there appeared to be a lack of engagement in this celebration of the NHS. I. couldn't see anyone else out on their doorsteps, but I could hear at least one other household clapping in the close (but out of sight) and another that appeared to be coming from a nearby group of houses. I could hear whoops and cheering from them.
In some places around the UK there was a more impressive response, as shown in coverage on some news channels.
The image above showed the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer joining in with the 'clap for our carers' celebration. However, as you can see, there was a message added to the picture that suggests they were mocking the hard-working NHS workers.
If they hadn't shown themselves joining in the celebration they would obviously have been criticised for being disrespectful.
I even saw a post being shared on Facebook that said that nurses didn't want us to clap. Whilst there have definitely been many nurses and other NHS workers who have expressed gratitude for the celebration, I have yet to hear of any who have really dismissed it.
It's just another case of people trying to create division and hatred.
It is important that we do not allow these people to win their campaign of hostility.
If you see a meme pop up on your Facebook timeline or Twitter feed, don't just accept it and share it.
Give some thought as to why someone might have created the meme.
Is it satire? Satire is great.
If it isn't satire; take an extra moment to think about what the message is and what its purpose might be. People don't create memes without a purpose.
If the meme is trying to tell you something is true; rather than accepting it as fact, please, please try and fact-check it. There are plenty of fact-checking tools on the internet and it is often easy to evidence the falsehoods. If your friends are sharing these memes, challenge them. Try and do so in a calm and reasonable manner; aggression doesn't tend to encourage sensible debate.
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