IN the same vein as such three-word hits as Get Brexit Done and Britain Deserves Better, Boris Johnson has unveiled his Government's third coronavirus slogan: "Hands, face, space."
The latest tripartite offering follows on from the widely derided "Stay alert, control the virus, save lives", the disappointing sequel to "Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives".
It seems Westminster has had a change of heart since Michael Gove claimed the great British public needed nothing more than common sense to combat the virus.
Now, they're handing down a nice simple three words that sound eerily like a song we all learned in nursery... heads, shoulders, face and space. Or something.
Whatever those in London may be thinking, there has been a clear outpouring of disbelief from the online community.
READ MORE: Minister: 'Stay alert' coronavirus line difficult for public
Today, the Prime Minister's twitter account announced the new slogan, saying: "there are some very simple ways we can all protect ourselves and others from the spread of coronavirus".
However, one June Sim suggested a new meaning for the words, writing: "There are some very simple ways we can all protect ourselves and others from the spread of Conservatives.
"Wash your HANDS of the Tories forever
"Expose their FACEs & prosecute them for their corruption
"Make SPACE for a new society based on need not greed."
There are some very simple ways we can all protect ourselves and others from the spread of Conservatives.
— junesim63 (@JuneSim63) July 31, 2020
Wash your HANDS of the Tories forever
Expose their FACEs & prosecute them for their corruption
Make SPACE for a new society based on need not greed. #HandsFaceSpace
Another wrote: "Finally some honesty and clear messaging in the Government’s new #Covid19UK messaging. Boris finally making his intentions clear, like a leader should do!"
However, the image shared wasn't quite the same as Johnson's:
Finally some honesty and clear messaging in the Government’s new #Covid19UK messaging. Boris finally making his intentions clear, like a leader should do!#HandsFaceSpace pic.twitter.com/Zs0f6tU9Yt
— Zander. (@ZanderWestt) July 31, 2020
Others criticised the childish nature of the slogan, suggesting it had been chosen essentially at random or that it sounded like it had come from the Teletubbies:
Dominic Cummings creates a new catchphrase for Boris Johnson #HandsFaceSpace pic.twitter.com/VdGc1yaaUy
— Joe (@MrJoeGooch) July 31, 2020
Govt:
— Nick Flaks 🌹🏳️🌈 (@NickFlaks) July 31, 2020
We trust the common sense of the British people.
Also Govt:
Let’s all say it together ‘Hands, Face, Space’. #HandsFaceSpace pic.twitter.com/ZM7WHa6IRB
Hey @10DowningStreet instead of using #HandsFaceSpace jargon talk, why don't you just say....
— Ciara Lawrence (@ciarale01) July 31, 2020
Wash your hands 👋
Wear a mask 😷
Keep your space 👬 ↔️ 👭
Others looked for hidden meanings in the words which others labelled "jargon", suggesting they may point to buried treasure on the what3words world map:
I’ve done the research so you don’t have to. If you enter “hands, face, space” into what3words, you get a location just off the coast near Llandudno in Wales. I’ll be very disappointed if there isn’t a sunken treasure chest there now. You’re welcome 👍 #HandsFaceSpace pic.twitter.com/TZLnupRgVr
— Tim | ThatchamDad (@thatchamdad) July 31, 2020
It would seem that sometimes simplicity is not clarity:
#HandsFaceSpace
— Katy (@KatyJayne101) July 31, 2020
Another fatuous slogan from a fatuous Prime Minister.
HANDS
— Dr Dominic Pimenta (@juniordrblog) July 31, 2020
FACE
SPACE#handsfacespace pic.twitter.com/VsuWoZLB7E
Getting rid of #BorisJohnson Govt will protect us from #COVID19. New leadership now pls.#HandsFaceSpace won't protect UK from ineptitude, poor decision making, corrupt mismanagement & outright lies that led to thousands dead from Coronavirus
— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) July 31, 2020
Don't. Trust. This. Govt. https://t.co/i3qqCkI3WL
"Hands, Face, Space"
— Darren Delaney, Magician at Home (@darren_delaney) July 31, 2020
Oh, and get a test.
Oh. yes and self-isolate.
And take your bucket and spade anywhere you want. Except the Northeast. Or anywhere else if we announce a last minute change.
#HandsFaceSpace
'Hands, Face, Space' is how we will beat thing thing.
— Parody Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) July 31, 2020
Failing that, we'll try Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes followed by Hands, Knees and Boomps-a-daisy. #HandsFaceSpace#DailyBriefing
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