THE sight of people gathering for large-scale lockdown protests has been described as “shocking” and “disappointing” by NHS workers.
While Glasgow saw an anti-lockdown demonstration involving what looked to be hundreds of people on Saturday, there were what seemed to be many thousands of people marching in central London in protest at rules around mandatory mask use and vaccine passports.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon condemned the scenes in Scotland's largest city, where three groups from Glasgow and Edinburgh marched to Glasgow Green to demonstrate against lockdown rules.
The juxtaposition of this and the catastrophe unfolding in India is quite upsetting. Covid is not a hoax - as more than 10,000 grieving families in Scotland know, it is very real. Thankfully, things are getting better here & restrictions are easing - but we must still take care. https://t.co/ZTAlmh6syk
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) April 24, 2021
The demonstration in London saw people march down Oxford Street in the west of central London towards Hyde Park.
Dr Ajay Verma, a consultant gastroenterologist and physician working in Northamptonshire, told the PA news agency: “There is a small minority of people who seem to believe there’s a conspiracy going on, which is upsetting, and the worst thing is they’re putting themselves at risk by gathering in a crowd.
“They’re protesting against the measures they’re driving themselves by gathering in a crowd.
“It is very disappointing, I have to say.”
Dr Karan Rajan, an NHS surgeon in Surrey, described the scenes as “shocking” – although he feels those involved represent a small minority of the population.
“I suspect it was a significant number of people who are anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists who got involved, and yet it’s shocking to see,” he told PA.
“Although we know the vaccination roll-out is going ahead nicely and we’re getting back to normal with restrictions easing, it’s still very worrying to see such huge gatherings without masks out in public, basically breaking the law, which is really concerning to see.
“And it’s just really disappointing as well.”
The protests came as India suffers its worst surge of the pandemic, with cases rising sharply, oxygen supplies dwindling and crematoriums overwhelmed because of the high number of deaths.
“There’s stark contrast with the scenes in India, which makes it even more unbelievable in my view,” Dr Jamie Parker, a GP from Nottingham, told PA.
Dr Verma added: “There were times in January, and last April, where if the trends had continued as they were we would have seen what we’re seeing in India now – a breakdown of the health service.
“People don’t seem to realise, we were days, not weeks, days, to the brink.”
Dr Parker said it was vital that people continue to stick to social distancing rules while the vaccine programme continues to be rolled out.
“I know it’s been really difficult for the country,” he said.
“So many people have given up so much throughout the lockdowns and we know that lockdowns have their drawbacks, but throughout all they are really the only thing that have had worked before the vaccines, it’s the one thing that has brought down numbers and has saved lives.”
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon condemns 'upsetting' anti-lockdown protest in Scotland
All three doctors said they respected the right to protest, but Dr Rajan said that demonstrations can become an issue if they start to intimidate those who are adhering to guidelines.
“In this country, we believe in autonomy when it comes to medicine so everyone has the right to make a decision over what goes in their body,” he said.
“If someone doesn’t want the vaccine that is their decision at the end of the day, as long as they’re fully educated.
“But it’s important to ensure they don’t encroach upon anyone else’s right to decide, or right to feel safe.
“And a member of the public won’t feel safe if they see 1000 people who don’t believe in masks or vaccines wandering the streets.
“You can not take the vaccine, that’s fine, that’s up to the individual, but we need to make sure that other people who want to feel safe, are safe, when the restrictions are easing.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel