I can understand and agree to much of what you say here, it tragic to have to die alone. No one should have to experience that. I did not know anyone had to die from Covid in solitude in the UK, it makes me very sad to hear it is the norm. More than sad, it is sickening.
I wonder why it is like this, would it not be possible to let everyone see someone from their family in their last hour? I'm sure it's a matter of resources, but also priority. Letting dying people see someone from their family should be pretty high on the list of priorities, but I'm an outsider and I can't see the whole picture in your country.
In my opinion they should allow visits as much as possible and not set a rule against it so nearly nobody gets a visit. But I guess a general rule against it is easier to manage, albeit heartless.
You see a lot of wrong, and you are right. A lot is wrong. Very very wrong.
But you go on and say that because no one else gets to see their family when they die, no one should get to see their family when they die. Here is where you go wrong, and I don't think you really mean it if you give it a second thought.
And Captain Tom had raised a lot of money to the health care. He was not just 100 years old, not just knighted, not just famous. He had contributed a lot to the health care and he deserved whatever VIP treatment he got. Please don't be so narrow minded.
If what was done in his case was bending rules, then the rules is the problem. Fix the problem, not the symptom.
I see what you're saying but I think my point was that having one rule for one person and a completely different set of rules for everyone else is not ok. Of course I don't think everyone should die alone - it's quite the opposite. And what I actually said was "Either they can all visit or none can visit", which I admit is open to interpretation; my frustration is that one person gets special treatment and nobody else does. It's not right. Captain Tom wasn't the only person who raised money, wasn't the only person who has done some good in this world since covid turned up - there's a double standard that doesn't sit right with me.
Our government has been making decisions which U-turn within days of each other, leaving the public angry and confused. Captain Tom gets to go to Barbados for Christmas, fully paid, but others cannot see their grandparents for 24 hours? How is this ok? For me, this goes further than Tom - our country has foolishly kept flights open when we should have locked it all down tight, but that's another conversation. I personally don't care how much money someone raises for charity, they don't suddenly increase in value as a human being. Not in my view.
Nurses, doctors, care home workers, teachers etc - none of these people have been afforded the luxury of family when they have died. And they have been holding things together for the sake of the public for nearly a year now, under great pressure and with little support. Ok, so one could argue that's their career choice - but this has been unprecedented. No one saw this coming and no one expected it on a scale like this. And what does the government offer? A pin badge and everyone clapping on their doorstep.
I don't know what it's like where you live, but the general mood over my way is grim. People are fed up, out of work, sick and dying. Captain Tom inspired many, he was humble, he got the recognition and respect he deserved - I don't have a problem with him whatsoever as a person. He'll probably get a state funeral, and that is absolutely fine by me. But his privileges as a result, during this time specifically, does not sit comfortably with me. No pandemic, no problem. But it's different right now.
No one is allowed to be with family when they die. It's been the rules since March last year. Children have died alone too. No visitors either. I understand it's to stop the spread of Covid but I have to wonder what the "exceptional circumstances" are that allowed Tom to avoid such restrictions?
What we haven't had in the UK is consistent and strong leadership - it's been appalling. The rich, the famous, the "important" - they can pretty much get away with a Twitter apology and a slap on the wrist. The rest of us get fines, hunger, unemployment and more restrictions.
Captain Tom should not have had to die alone, and he didn't. NO ONE should die alone, but they do. In their tens of thousands at the moment.
I can't form any other opinion right now. Maybe in a few years I'll look back and think differently. But at the moment, all I can see is a massive double standard.
