Sajid Javid, British Minister of Health, apologizes for asking people not to "shirk" from Corona
British Health Minister Sajid Javid apologized and deleted a tweet on the social networking site "Twitter", urging people to take the anti-Covid-19 vaccine, and not to "shirk" for fear of the emerging corona virus, saying today Sunday that he "wrongly chose the word."
Javid faced criticism for using the expression "shivering" for fear of the virus that has killed tens of thousands of Britons, at a time when many are seeking to avoid infection. Javid took office last month, succeeding Matt Hancock, who resigned after violating COVID-19 rules by kissing an aide in his office.
Britain, which has one of the highest death rates from Covid-19, has adjusted its strategy to combat the virus. Instead of using restrictions to limit the spread of the virus, they have resorted to opening up society in the hope that vaccines will protect most people from serious illness.
Although cases are high, the pace of vaccination is also increasing, and officials say it was necessary to adjust the strategy to help companies in sectors such as hospitality and nightlife recover.
On Sunday, Javid said on Twitter that he had "deleted a tweet that used the word shudder." “I was grateful that vaccines help us fight back as a society, but it was a poor choice of word, and I sincerely apologize. Like many, I have lost loved ones to this dreaded virus and I never underestimate its impact.”
Javid had written yesterday that he had recovered from COVID-19. "The symptoms were very mild thanks to the wonderful vaccines," he added. "If you haven't already done so, please get vaccinated so that we learn how to live with this virus instead of shivering in fear of it," he added.
Labor deputy leader Angela Rayner was one of many lawmakers from opposition parties and people who have lost family members to the pandemic and criticized his use of the phrase "shivering in fear" of the virus.
She said on Twitter: "127,000 people have died from this virus and tens of thousands of them would have survived had it not been for the catastrophic failure of your government... How dare you denigrate people for trying to keep them and their families safe."
Reuters
