Captain Sir Tom Moore’s family forced to address criticism over Barbados holiday

Captain Sir Tom Moore passed away yesterday after a battle with both coronavirus and pneumonia, leading many online trolls to question why the 100-year-old was allowed to take a holiday to Barbados just three weeks prior.

Captain Moore’s family respond to trolls

The world held their hats in their hands yesterday after news broke out thatCaptain Sir Tom Moore had passed away.

After his heroic efforts raised £38.9 million pounds for the NHS, Captain Moore and his family were treated to a Christmas holiday to Barbados. After news arrived of the 100-year-old testing positive for coronavirus three weeks after his return, many people began to question why the veteran was allowed to enjoy a holiday while many other areas of the UK were plunged into tier three.

Many others had also questioned why the 100-year-old was not vaccinated despite being considered high-priority. A statement released on behalf of Captain Moore’s family responded to the criticisms:

We have had many inquiries asking if Captain Tom had been offered the vaccine. Due to other medication Tom was receiving for pneumonia, he was unable to be vaccinated.

The statement also revealed that Captain Sir Tom Moore had also been in treatment with both prostate cancer and melanoma for the past five years, and with help from his medical team the veteran decided against the invasive treatment. However, Captain Moore had consulted his doctors before his trip to the Caribbean on the 11th of December.

The statement highlighted that the family’s trip was a bucket list item for Captain Moore and had taken place before Bedford was placed into tier three on the 19th and then into tier four on the 20th, with the Moore’s returning to the UK on the 6th of January. Between December 9th and January 12th, the veteran was also regularly tested for the virus, each time with the results turning up negative.

Tributes for Captain Sir Tom Moore pour in

Since news of his death hit the media, tributes for Captain Moore have been pouring in from all over the world with both the Queen and the White House sending their condolences.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has encouraged all those who wish to make a tribute to Captain Moore to participate in a clap for him at 6pm on Wednesday night. PM Johnson also announced that the clap would also be for ‘all those health workers for whom he raised money.’ He stated at the House of Commons earlier today:

We all now have the opportunity to show our appreciation for [Capt Sir Tom] and all that he stood for and believed in. That is why I encourage everyone to join in a national clap for Captain Tom and all those health workers for whom he raised money at 18:00 GMT this evening.

A moment of silence was also held in the House of Lords, Lord Speaker Lord Fowler lead the tribute stating: ‘His quiet resolve and selfless spirit of public service will never be forgotten.’

As we pause to remember him and his enduring legacy, we also remember all those who have died since the start of the pandemic.