Saira Khan divided opinion today after saying a small number of Covid-19 rule breakers should not prevent the rest of the country from working.
The Loose Women presenter, 50, from Oxford, called on the government to ‘step in’ and punish those who do not adhere to coronavirus restrictions, and said their actions should not be responsible for the country being plunged into a second national lockdown.
It comes after Boris Johnson announced a new month-long national lockdown, due to start on Thursday, which will see bars, restaurants and all non-essential shops closed in a bid to bring down the spread of coronavirus.
Viewers were divided after the comments, with several insisting they ‘totally agree’ with Saira’s comments, while others felt that if the majority of people are following the rules, the UK would not need to go into another lockdown.
Saira Khan divided opinion today after saying a small number of Covid-19 rule breakers should not prevent the rest of the country from working on today’s Loose Women
‘We have to allow people who are fit who are able to carry on working,’ said Saira. ‘We need to keep the nation healthy.
‘What we have leaned since March is that many have put social distancing in place, they have done what the government has said.
‘For me I think we can’t get rid of this, we have to learn to live with it safely. We cannot fund the NHS if people are not working.’
She went on: ‘I am okay, lockdown doesn’t effect me that badly. There are people in this country who are going to food banks who cannot pay the mortgage because they cannot work.
Viewers were divided after the comments, with several insisting they ‘totally agree’ with Saira’s comments,
Meanwhile others felt that if the majority of people are following the rules, the UK would not need to go into another lockdown
‘The future generations we are destroying their futures, there has to be a balanced approach to this. I don’t want lockdown, I don’t.’
However co-host Gloria Hunniford, 80, disagreed, arguing that the economic effects of a second lockdown should not be considered over potential deaths.
‘You cannot balance money against deaths, the figures are escalating at an alarming rate.
‘Boris did not want to go into a national lockdown, but sometimes you have to these figures are critical and we have to try and break that circuit they talk about.’
However co-host Gloria Hunniford, 80, disagreed, arguing that the economic effects of a second lockdown should not be considered over potential deaths
Gloria went on to say it ‘horrified’ her that Illegal raves in Bristol and Greater Manchester were broken up by police last night after the Prime Minister announced plans for a month-long national lockdown.
She went on: ‘There comes a point where we all have to take this into your own hands and do something positive, and I was so glad to hear that furlough had immediately continued.’
Saira interjected: ‘We will be paying for this in future and I think this is really wrong. I do agree not everyone is adhering to that.
‘But that is where the government should step in and put more people on the street to make sure people are adhering to it, that should not stop people making a living.’
Fellow host Brenda Edwards quickly interjected, arguing those in power need to ‘set an example’, after it was discovered Margaret Ferrier, the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, travelled 350 miles while suffering Covid symptoms
Gloria went on to say it ‘horrified’ her that Illegal raves in Bristol and Greater Manchester were broken up by police last night
Fellow host Brenda Edwards quickly interjected, arguing those in power need to ‘set an example’, after it was discovered Margaret Ferrier, the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, travelled 350 miles while suffering Covid symptoms.
‘You cannot punish the whole nation for the actions of a few’, replied Saira.
‘You need to lead by example,’ replied Brenda. ‘It’s for people to take personal responsibility, if you want to get out of this do something about it.’
Viewers quickly took to Twitter to share their views, with several fearing rule breakers are becoming the majority, while others agreed with Saira that those adhering to rules should not be punished.
You need to lead by example’, an angry Brenda argues, ‘It’s for people to take personal responsibility, if you want to get out of this do something about it’
One wrote: ‘Saira needs to realise if people followed the rules then we wouldn’t be going into a 2nd lockdown.
While another agreed: ‘Covid-19 affects us all so they have to apply the lockdown to everyone not just the naughty ones!’
However many were in support of Saira, with one tweeting: ‘I think Saira is right in what she’s saying. totally agree.’
Another said: ‘@sairakh talking sense on @loosewomen . Gloria and Andrea to an extent completely exposed as being out of touch.’