MaCartney33 Welcome to GN,
I am sorry you are upset. I really think you have misunderstood what people have said. MOnica has been writing since before I joined and she is never malicious or vindictive. She is highly intelligent and has a very good memory. She writes directly to the point and always explains her point.
I can see that you have been affected by the terribly sad story of this little boy. The point that some of us want to make is that this story shows obvious signs of not being what it makes out to be, I wrote about this as did others, The pictures too are quite wrong and expose a lot of doubts about what is said.
The person who first wrote this piece and posted the pictures is simply attempting an emotional manipulation of those reading it and to arouse feelings of hate and anger against people. She probably has no idea that this is not appropriate or is unethical. She wants the attention and she got that in droves. I found it most hurtful that a GN member felt it needed to be directed towards us on GN by posting it here.
There are many clues that the story is not as factual as you, with your big heart, have taken it to be. Sometimes in the media and more often in the social media there are people who want attention and drama. They post things with the aim of garnering many emotional responses. They exaggerate, are not careful about the facts and do not think of the ethical implications of the photographs, here of a child, in particular a sick child.
Because you have a very soft heart and have been deeply moved by this story, please do not judge those who have experience and knowledge that has allowed them to see this article as it is, a manipulation attempt on emotions with many very dubious claims about medical issues. Also it is lambasting us all as if we are recklessly flouting all the social distancing rules, (or suggestions in the UK,) when we are clearly a group who are, to a very high percentage, doing everything we possibly can to follow the guide lines concerning not going out and so on. It was very hurtful for me to read this, as I said earlier.
I could research MOnica's posts on many other threads and you would see she is a very compassionate and thoughtful person. She does not simply make emotional noises, she always tries to give constructive, practical and positive help to people, which is far more valuable. She is very wise with a store of knowledge which has helped so many people over the years.
I am sure you have misunderstood MOnica's viewpoints, maybe because the story of the child distressed you so much. But please do not tell her to "be kind" because that implies such an erroneous and hurtful judgement on her and is totally inappropriate to someone who has a sharp mind coupled with a very generous heart. If MOnica saw something you cannot see then please show her some respect for her astute mind. To be accurate is going to be very important in dealing with the COVID-19 virus. Scare stories filled with lies from mothers looking for attention who do not put the needs of their child first are not going to help anybody.
On GN there is a tradition that if someone sees something a different way from you, we respect their different viewpoint. They may be more experienced. We do not use their name to say bad things about them or imply that they are mean or stupid or anything unkind. You can say you do not understand their point of view which sounded harsh for example. But you should be able to give more explanation as to why it sounded harsh or whatever your criticism may be.
Sometimes in the past things have become heated. But the thing about GN is that we never give up trying to see the point of view of others, help them as needed and then the most wonderful part is when someone you once thought you did not get along with, becomes a very solid, caring and helpful friend! Whatever you do, do not take this first experience as typical. Hang in here. You will find many friends!
I sincerely hope you can take my words positively. I'd hate it if you stopped coming on GN. Maybe now is such a difficult time we are all very sensitive. I am sure you meant well and I do hope you understand why I have written back to explain things.
I do hope you are getting through this 'virus-age' as comfortably as possible. Wishing you all the best of good luck and hoping you have the supplies you need from the shops. Best wishes, Elle x
