Readers react to Edinburgh anti-mask 'selfish idiots' protesting outside Holyrood

Some commenters have described the protest as “two fingers to the NHS.”

Evening News followers have predominantly said how outraged they are at the massive turn out to Edinburgh’s anti-mask protest.

The event, organised by Saving Scotland, attracted more than 500 protesters who gathered to demonstrate against the mandatory mask rule, social distancing and lockdown restrictions.

Readers have responded by calling attendees “selfish”and “stupid” “attention seeking idiots” for refusing to adhere to safety rules brought in since the pandemic hit the UK.

A group of protesters marching at the anti-mask demonstration outside Holyrood

One Evening News follower David Black said: “Selfish, brainless idiots. They will eventually find a cure for Covid-19, but they will never find a cure for stupidity.”

Lisa Newman said: “This is obscene!

"They should all be made to write down their names and if they contract Covid-19 they should have to pay for their treatment, that unfortunately would not stop them passing it on to innocent people they come in to contact with!

"No one likes the masks but it’s to try and keep everyone safe.”

Other readers went on to demand Police Scotland take action and fine all those participating in the protest.

Scott Smalley said: “How selfish and idiotic some people can be. This is an awful thing because it won’t be any of those morons that will be affected, it’s the people they will pass it to if they are asymptomatic.

"Get the police down there and fine them all.”

Adele Fox said: “We wear masks to prevent harm to others in our community - elderly, sick and other vulnerable people absolute slap in the face to our front line worker's who sacrificed so much this year and the families affect by this virus! I'm all for freedom of speech, critical thinking and a scientific approach but this is selfish!

Sarah Cockburn added: “I honestly can't imagine being so self involved that I would go protest being asked to wear a wee bit material over my face. It is beyond belief.”

Other commenters shared their concern for a spike in figures in the coming weeks following the mass gathering of demonstrators in the Edinburgh park.

Very few readers showed sympathy for the protesters asking them to be “locked up.”

Mark Thompson shared some statistics detailing how lockdown has caused more danger to the population than the virus itself – a similar message to that of the anti-mask protesters.

Yet he was quickly hit back at by furious readers who described the anti-mask demonstration as “an example of the highest level of stupidity” and a “two fingers to the NHS.”

Gillian Watson argued the impact of coronavirus is not as significant as influenza and the current figures for Covid-19 related deaths are misleading.

But she was quickly shot down by furious readers arguing safety rules are essential to protect the elderly and vulnerable.

The demonstration started from about 12.30pm today, Saturday 5 September and involved speeches from Irish professor Dolores Cahil and Dr Malcolm Kendrick, from Scotland.

It was estimated about 500 to 600 people attended the event.

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