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'Bonkers' NHS advert that shows 'Santa being struck down by coronavirus'


Rob Thompson

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'Bonkers' NHS advert that shows 'Santa being struck down by coronavirus' before medics save him is condemned by critics for 'upsetting children' and 'looking for reasons to make this Christmas worse'

Source: Mail Online. December 12.2020- By JEMMA CARR FOR MAILONLINE

 

* Old bearded man lies unconscious in the NHS charity Christmas advert 
* NHS medics in full PPE are seen trying to revive him in the disturbing opening
* Later revealed to be Father Christmas who has been nursed back to health 

* Shocked viewers believe the advert depicts Santa suffering from coronavirus
* Several feared children would be traumatised thinking Santa was going to die 

Critics have slammed the NHS charity Christmas advert for showing medics battling to save Santa's life, claiming it will 'scare the hell out of little ones'.

The film, titled The Gift, depicts an old bearded man unconscious on a hospital bed wearing an oxygen mask as NHS medics in full PPE try to revive him.

He is later revealed to be Father Christmas who has been nursed back to health by dedicated NHS staff. 

Viewers have interpreted the presence of oxygen masks and tubes as a sign that Santa was suffering from coronavirus - in a move branded 'insensitive' by concerned parents.

Several feared young viewers would be traumatised thinking Santa was going to die and urged the charity to let children enjoy the festive season 'without giving them adult problems to deal with'. 

Full Story and Video - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9045303/Critics-condemn-NHS-charity-advert-shows-medics-saving-Santa-coronavirus.html

I have mixed feelings about the advert. If I had watched this pre-reading the condemnation from some quarters, it would not have been overtly obvious from the start that this is Santa Claus and unlikely that children would have made the connection initially either. It is quite a powerful video and in some respects quite moving, I'm just not convinced that Santa Claus was the correct choice of central character As I say fixed feelings and I need to let it digest a little more!

It is worth reading the whole article and watching the video. 

36630702-9045303-Critics_have_slammed_th

 

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I don't like Santa being shown to be able to die. I just don't like it. 

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1 hour ago, Black Hills Santa said:

I don't like Santa being shown to be able to die. I just don't like it. 

Yes, I think that''s were it crossed a line really and a bit ironic as only a couple of weeks ago our government issues a statement, primarily targeted at children explaining that Santa Claus was immune from the corona virus by way of alleviating their concerns.

I have the utmost respect for out National Health Service and the amazing work they are undertaking under such pressure and high risk, but as said previously, I think the creators could have reinforced the positive messages for health staff in a different and way

Edited by Rob Thompson
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