Pictures that expose PM's coronavirus testing shambles: Desperate NHS staff are turned AWAY from empty swab station 'because they haven't booked' while just 13 miles away others queue for checks - amid claims 85% of self-isolating workers are NOT infected Queues stretched a quarter of a mile outside the make-shift facility at Ikea in Wembley onto the North Circular Members of the public were turned away and NHS staff refused entrance because they had wrong paperwork One woman was even annoyed she couldn't pop into the store to buy a picture frame, MailOnline can reveal Meanwhile, another temporary facility set-up to test frontline medics in Chessington barely saw any traffic Government has been accused of 'complacent' approach as number of coronavirus tests lag behind Germany Michael Gove blamed shortage of chemicals but industry suggested there are enough materials for the NHS Labs have claimed the government has been snubbing their offers of help with a 'centralised' approach Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
La-GOONS! Now the coronavirus cops who stalked walkers with drones ruin picturesque 'blue lagoon' by filling it with BLACK DYE to stop Instagrammers posing for snaps Derbyshire Police dumped the dye in the water at Harpur Hill in Buxton to deter visitors from taking selfies The blue lagoon is a popular location and draws in hundreds of thousands of tourists every years Dyeing lagoon might in fact backfire and make it more popular for Instagrammers looking for unusual snaps Officers received reports of large numbers of people ignoring the government coronavirus lockdown People have been urged to remain at home after the Covid-19 death toll in Britain today went past 1,000 Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Testing them before me? Probably. Testing them before health workers? No. Unless you trust any politician rather than a health worker in relation to disease.
Health workers should of course be getting tested too.
Not too. First. Charles/Boris only have mild symptoms.
Every single day more people are dying than listed in the previous day's "serious" numbers. Which either means our hospitals don't understand "serious" (unlikely) or people are being left to die untested so that politicians can have peace of mind about their mild symptoms.
It's the National Health Service. People need to be tested primarily on their illness, not how important they are.
Isnt it idiotic that those doling out the advice are unable to follow this advice themselves?
Can understand the buffoon getting it wrong. Bit worrying when it's the Chief Medical Officer...
Do you think The Government has a plan on how to end the lockdown, and are just not telling us?
Or do you think they are just making it up as they go along?
We were apparently in the herd immunity boat with Sweden, but abandoned it to change our strategy.
Sweden didn't and have many schools open, as well as bars, and restaurants. They only limited gatherings yesterday, to no more than 500 people.
Our lockdown is clearly restricting the spread of the virus, allowing the NHS to cope with a consistent level of infections. Ending the lockdown will surely produce a new surge.
The experts are saying that it will take 12 to 18 months to produce a properly tested vaccine.
Herd immunity requires maybe 70% of the population to have contracted the virus.
Tony Blair suggested at the weekend, that the number of tests required will be equivalent to the whole population, a few times.
This means that there aren't any short term solutions.
At current rates testing the whole population once, will take many years.
The lockdown drastically slows down any prospect of herd immunity.
Continuing the lockdown would surely mean that we would get the vaccine before reaching the percentage required for herd immunity, but that would mean a 12 or 18 month lockdown.
i may be missing the point here but i have been reading this and other threads daily,the charts chilling was showing (cases deaths cured ongoing etc) this virus started in china 3or4 months ago and they seemed to have it under control so whatever plan they used we should be using to. also they have by far the lowest %deaths to cases if ulook at spain and Italy cases to deaths. fwiw i think we were weeks behind gearing up fore the lockdown as fore public transport we all no how packed they are easiest way to spread the virus 50 people+in a carrige 1 person could spread itbut until last week we were herding them on to trains and tubes like it was all gonna be ok sorry 4 my ramblings
Testing them before me? Probably. Testing them before health workers? No. Unless you trust any politician rather than a health worker in relation to disease.
Health workers should of course be getting tested too.
Not too. First. Charles/Boris only have mild symptoms.
Every single day more people are dying than listed in the previous day's "serious" numbers. Which either means our hospitals don't understand "serious" (unlikely) or people are being left to die untested so that politicians can have peace of mind about their mild symptoms.
It's the National Health Service. People need to be tested primarily on their illness, not how important they are.
Isnt it idiotic that those doling out the advice are unable to follow this advice themselves?
Can understand the buffoon getting it wrong. Bit worrying when it's the Chief Medical Officer...
Do you think The Government has a plan on how to end the lockdown, and are just not telling us?
Or do you think they are just making it up as they go along?
We were apparently in the herd immunity boat with Sweden, but abandoned it to change our strategy.
Sweden didn't and have many schools open, as well as bars, and restaurants. They only limited gatherings yesterday, to no more than 500 people.
Our lockdown is clearly restricting the spread of the virus, allowing the NHS to cope with a consistent level of infections. Ending the lockdown will surely produce a new surge.
The experts are saying that it will take 12 to 18 months to produce a properly tested vaccine.
Herd immunity requires maybe 70% of the population to have contracted the virus.
Tony Blair suggested at the weekend, that the number of tests required will be equivalent to the whole population, a few times.
This means that there aren't any short term solutions.
At current rates testing the whole population once, will take many years.
The lockdown drastically slows down any prospect of herd immunity.
Continuing the lockdown would surely mean that we would get the vaccine before reaching the percentage required for herd immunity, but that would mean a 12 or 18 month lockdown.
Do they really have a clue what they are doing?
Think there is some sort of plan.
Firstly, in early stages, to utilise spare capacity in NHS by allowing a certain number to get it early. To be fair to the Govt, can hardly admit to that.
Now? They are waiting to see how the figures pan out, and react from there. At some point, the economy will outweigh a certain number of extra deaths-again, they can't admit to that.
Current plan is probably lockdown til June, then relax measures considerably in the Summer, then about 1 month lockdown in the Autumn. But that all depends on how the figures go, both here and abroad.
i may be missing the point here but i have been reading this and other threads daily,the charts chilling was showing (cases deaths cured ongoing etc) this virus started in china 3or4 months ago and they seemed to have it under control so whatever plan they used we should be using to. also they have by far the lowest %deaths to cases if ulook at spain and Italy cases to deaths. fwiw i think we were weeks behind gearing up fore the lockdown as fore public transport we all no how packed they are easiest way to spread the virus 50 people+in a carrige 1 person could spread itbut until last week we were herding them on to trains and tubes like it was all gonna be ok sorry 4 my ramblings
Testing them before me? Probably. Testing them before health workers? No. Unless you trust any politician rather than a health worker in relation to disease.
Health workers should of course be getting tested too.
Not too. First. Charles/Boris only have mild symptoms.
Every single day more people are dying than listed in the previous day's "serious" numbers. Which either means our hospitals don't understand "serious" (unlikely) or people are being left to die untested so that politicians can have peace of mind about their mild symptoms.
It's the National Health Service. People need to be tested primarily on their illness, not how important they are.
Isnt it idiotic that those doling out the advice are unable to follow this advice themselves?
Can understand the buffoon getting it wrong. Bit worrying when it's the Chief Medical Officer...
Do you think The Government has a plan on how to end the lockdown, and are just not telling us?
Or do you think they are just making it up as they go along?
We were apparently in the herd immunity boat with Sweden, but abandoned it to change our strategy.
Sweden didn't and have many schools open, as well as bars, and restaurants. They only limited gatherings yesterday, to no more than 500 people.
Our lockdown is clearly restricting the spread of the virus, allowing the NHS to cope with a consistent level of infections. Ending the lockdown will surely produce a new surge.
The experts are saying that it will take 12 to 18 months to produce a properly tested vaccine.
Herd immunity requires maybe 70% of the population to have contracted the virus.
Tony Blair suggested at the weekend, that the number of tests required will be equivalent to the whole population, a few times.
This means that there aren't any short term solutions.
At current rates testing the whole population once, will take many years.
The lockdown drastically slows down any prospect of herd immunity.
Continuing the lockdown would surely mean that we would get the vaccine before reaching the percentage required for herd immunity, but that would mean a 12 or 18 month lockdown.
Do they really have a clue what they are doing?
Think there is some sort of plan.
Firstly, in early stages, to utilise spare capacity in NHS by allowing a certain number to get it early. To be fair to the Govt, can hardly admit to that.
Now? They are waiting to see how the figures pan out, and react from there. At some point, the economy will outweigh a certain number of extra deaths-again, they can't admit to that.
Current plan is probably lockdown til June, then relax measures considerably in the Summer, then about 1 month lockdown in the Autumn. But that all depends on how the figures go, both here and abroad.
This is what I don't understand.
The lockdown can only be permanently stopped by one of two methods.
A vaccine, or herd immunity.
Is that correct or is there another way?
Vulnerable people have to be protected.
So a temporary suspension of the lockdown, would not affect them, they would have to stay locked down.
The lockdown also slows down herd immunity as less people become infected.
Just to even find out our true position means testing the whole population at least once.
Even at 100,000 per day that alone would take almost 2 years.
I can see it ending in 12 or 18 months when we have a vaccine.
Surely a suspension of the lockdown just creates another peak.
How does it end completely if it not through herd immunity, or a vaccine?
How long would it take to reach the herd immunity target, if you keep restricting the number of infections, through lockdowns.
Not another peak-just less of a reduction after the peak. Better a limited number get it in the Summer rather than a massive spike in December.
Things will get better-look at China. Or the entire history of the world.
Besides, there are limits as to how long the country can withstand lockdown, both mentally and financially.
Likeliest outcome:-worse in April, improvements in May OR June, reduction (not removal) of lockdown, minor spike in the Autumn, then world gradually returns to normal.
i may be missing the point here but i have been reading this and other threads daily,the charts chilling was showing (cases deaths cured ongoing etc) this virus started in china 3or4 months ago and they seemed to have it under control so whatever plan they used we should be using to. also they have by far the lowest %deaths to cases if ulook at spain and Italy cases to deaths. fwiw i think we were weeks behind gearing up fore the lockdown as fore public transport we all no how packed they are easiest way to spread the virus 50 people+in a carrige 1 person could spread itbut until last week we were herding them on to trains and tubes like it was all gonna be ok sorry 4 my ramblings
I think the real value of the testing, is to avoid NHS staff isolating when they haven't got the virus, and working when they have. We also need to know the numbers of the population that have had the virus. The stats that are being published at the moment are not of great value. If you compare the number of deaths to the number of cases the picture alters according to the numbers being tested. You could compare 2 locations. One of which could have done loads of tests, therefore found loads of cases, and would therefore have a much lower number of deaths as a percentage of cases. If the other location had done little testing, therefore found less cases, their deaths would form a much percentage of cases.
Should Mr Hancock fail, it concludes, the cost will not be his job but lives lost. The Sun takes aim at Public Health England, saying the crisis has laid bare its complacency and ineptitude. For years this monument to "bloated, sluggish bureaucracy" has banged on obsessively about obesity but facing the gravest crisis in a century, its failings have been hideously exposed.
It says blame for what it calls "this shambles" lies not with Public Health England but squarely with the government. It has been, the paper argues, consistently behind the curve in its response to the pandemic.
Mr Hancock has made a big promise, it says. If he can't deliver, public confidence in the government will evaporate.
According to the Daily Telegraph, public health officials in charge of defending the country from a major pandemic never drew up plans for mass community testing, despite warnings from the World Health Organization. It's been told emergency planners "did not discuss" the need for community testing because they wrongly believed a new strain of influenza would be the next outbreak to strike the UK. The Guardian highlights new data which suggests the coronavirus outbreak took hold earlier in the UK than previously thought. It says according to NHS England the earliest death occurred on 28 February, almost a week earlier than previously acknowledged.
The Financial Times leads on the economic shockwaves the virus is continuing to make around the world. It says about four million French workers have applied for temporary unemployment benefits during the past two weeks, while Spain has recorded the biggest jump in unemployment in its history, with more than 800,000 people losing their jobs last month. The New York Times says the reported loss of 10 million jobs in the US shows the scope of the unfolding economic disaster. It says hopes for a dramatic but brief downturn followed by a quick recovery have faded, and in their place are fears that the world may be on the cusp of an economic shock unseen since the Great Depression. It says the speed and scale of the job losses is without precedent.
Not another peak-just less of a reduction after the peak. Better a limited number get it in the Summer rather than a massive spike in December.
Things will get better-look at China. Or the entire history of the world.
Besides, there are limits as to how long the country can withstand lockdown, both mentally and financially.
Likeliest outcome:-worse in April, improvements in May OR June, reduction (not removal) of lockdown, minor spike in the Autumn, then world gradually returns to normal.
Concern that there's a lack of an exit strategy from the lockdown makes the lead for the Times. It reports that one of the government's senior advisors is warning the UK has "painted itself into a corner" with no clear way out of the crisis. Prof Graham Medley, the government's chief pandemic modeller, tells the paper a prolonged lockdown risks causing more suffering - in terms of unemployment, domestic violence and mental ill health - than the virus itself. He says no way has so far been found of easing the lockdown while controlling the virus and that the notion of herd immunity may need to be reconsidered. The country, he tells the paper, is facing a "trade-off between harming the young, versus the old".
There's continued scrutiny of the government's coronavirus testing regime. "Britain's testing shambles" is the headline on the front of the Guardian, which warns the government's pledge to carry out 100,000 checks a day is "unravelling". It says NHS laboratory staff and scientists are warning they don't have the chemicals and components they need to meet the target. The paper details what it calls a "timeline of mixed messages" from the government, which it says stands accused of "over-promising and under-delivering on a variety of claims".
Not another peak-just less of a reduction after the peak. Better a limited number get it in the Summer rather than a massive spike in December.
Things will get better-look at China. Or the entire history of the world.
Besides, there are limits as to how long the country can withstand lockdown, both mentally and financially.
Likeliest outcome:-worse in April, improvements in May OR June, reduction (not removal) of lockdown, minor spike in the Autumn, then world gradually returns to normal.
The current lockdown is partial, in that a small number of people are still working. NHS staff will be infecting their families, other patients, and visitors to A&E, who will in turn infect their families when they are discharged. Members of the public will surely become infected when food shopping, as will the staff looking after them. Both lots will infect their families. Those not observing social distancing rules, will pass it on to others.
That said, we are controlling the number of new infections. Removing the lockdown surely removes this control. The peak that we are supposed to reach shortly, will represent the infection of a very small percentage of the population.
The Times article says The Government has painted us into a corner, and has no post lockdown strategy.
One of the experts on NewsNight last night said that the current strategy seemed to be one of endless lockdowns, and breaks.
Testing them before me? Probably. Testing them before health workers? No. Unless you trust any politician rather than a health worker in relation to disease.
Health workers should of course be getting tested too.
Not too. First. Charles/Boris only have mild symptoms.
Every single day more people are dying than listed in the previous day's "serious" numbers. Which either means our hospitals don't understand "serious" (unlikely) or people are being left to die untested so that politicians can have peace of mind about their mild symptoms.
It's the National Health Service. People need to be tested primarily on their illness, not how important they are.
Isnt it idiotic that those doling out the advice are unable to follow this advice themselves?
Can understand the buffoon getting it wrong. Bit worrying when it's the Chief Medical Officer...
Do you think The Government has a plan on how to end the lockdown, and are just not telling us?
Or do you think they are just making it up as they go along?
We were apparently in the herd immunity boat with Sweden, but abandoned it to change our strategy.
Sweden didn't and have many schools open, as well as bars, and restaurants. They only limited gatherings yesterday, to no more than 500 people.
Our lockdown is clearly restricting the spread of the virus, allowing the NHS to cope with a consistent level of infections. Ending the lockdown will surely produce a new surge.
The experts are saying that it will take 12 to 18 months to produce a properly tested vaccine.
Herd immunity requires maybe 70% of the population to have contracted the virus.
Tony Blair suggested at the weekend, that the number of tests required will be equivalent to the whole population, a few times.
This means that there aren't any short term solutions.
At current rates testing the whole population once, will take many years.
The lockdown drastically slows down any prospect of herd immunity.
Continuing the lockdown would surely mean that we would get the vaccine before reaching the percentage required for herd immunity, but that would mean a 12 or 18 month lockdown.
Do they really have a clue what they are doing?
Think there is some sort of plan.
Firstly, in early stages, to utilise spare capacity in NHS by allowing a certain number to get it early. To be fair to the Govt, can hardly admit to that.
Now? They are waiting to see how the figures pan out, and react from there. At some point, the economy will outweigh a certain number of extra deaths-again, they can't admit to that.
Current plan is probably lockdown til June, then relax measures considerably in the Summer, then about 1 month lockdown in the Autumn. But that all depends on how the figures go, both here and abroad.
The other significant factor is that they don't currently know how long the immunisation provided by contracting the virus is likely to be. This may last forever, but may only last for a year, a couple of months, or even a month.
Not another peak-just less of a reduction after the peak. Better a limited number get it in the Summer rather than a massive spike in December.
Things will get better-look at China. Or the entire history of the world.
Besides, there are limits as to how long the country can withstand lockdown, both mentally and financially.
Likeliest outcome:-worse in April, improvements in May OR June, reduction (not removal) of lockdown, minor spike in the Autumn, then world gradually returns to normal.
PM's virus adviser warns Britain might still need to adopt herd immunity in its fight against coronavirus as lockdown measures have 'painted the country into a corner' - after UK deaths overtake China's reported toll with 3,605 to 3,326
Boris Johnson's coronavirus lockdown has pinned Britain 'into a corner' with no obvious exit strategy, according to a senior Downing Street scientific adviser who braced the country for a return to a policy of herd immunity. Professor Graham Medley, the government's chief pandemic modeller (inset) said the only viable path through the health emergency would be to let people become infected so they are no longer vulnerable. He warned the current restrictions would not steer the country out of the pandemic - only prevent a short-term spread - but would bring the economy to its knees. Mounting unemployment, domestic violence and burgeoning mental health issues could be widespread if the normal functioning of society remains paralysed (London bus travelling down an empty Regents Street, middle), Prof Medley forecast. Describing a trade-off between harming the lives of the young versus safeguarding the wellbeing of the elderly, the scientist said the Prime Minister had a 'big decision' to make on April 13 when the lockdown will be reviewed (a patient being taken into the Royal Free Hospital, London, left). Yet noises from Number 10 suggests the current curbs to everyday life will not be lifted, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday urging the public to 'keep their discipline'. He begged Britons to stay indoors ahead of a warm weekend as the UK announced 684 more Covid-19 fatalities, hiking the death toll to 3,605 and more than 38,000 cases (right) - surpassing the number of deaths recorded by China, where the virus spawned late last year.
The Observer leads with the pledge by the new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to work with Boris Johnson "in the national interest", in order to fight the coronavirus outbreak. It says he's agreed to meet the prime minister this week to talk. The Sunday Telegraph says the promise to work together with the government is a change of tone for Labour, and signals a break from what it calls the "overtly hostile" approach of Jeremy Corbyn's regime. But the Sunday Times says that, in also setting out tough criticism of the government's actions, Sir Keir has thrown down the gauntlet to the prime minister. It says the government deserves to be chastised for some of its missteps, and urges Mr Johnson to reach out, not only to the Labour leader, but also to Conservatives with more experience than the current Cabinet.
It says figures such as Jeremy Hunt and the former leaders Lord Hague and Theresa May all have something to offer a government that needs it. The Sunday Express calls the Queen's broadcast tonight a "historic address" that will rally the nation in its desperate fight against the pandemic. The Sun on Sunday uses the headline "Greatest Britons", saying her words will pay tribute to the country's strength. According to the Sunday Telegraph, Downing Street hopes that the Queen's intervention can lift the nation's spirits, at a time when people are being urged to abide by tough rules limiting their movements.
The Mail on Sunday reports that two of the most senior government ministers leading the response to the pandemic are locked in battle about when to lift the current restrictions. It says the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has made "robust" arguments to Health Secretary Matt Hancock that the country could suffer lasting damage unless there is a plan for a swift return to normal activity. Mr Hancock's backers insist he is protecting the NHS. The Observer says there is open debate in both Whitehall and the scientific community about the best route out of the lockdown measures. The online Independent says the social care system is at risk of collapse within weeks due to pressure from the coronavirus. It says care providers are complaining that some local councils are failing to release emergency funding they've been given, and says firms have been pushed to the brink of closure. The website says concern is growing in Whitehall about the resilience of the system, but many in the sector say they have raised questions and had no response.
The Sunday People also warns of what it calls a "care home time bomb", saying a lack of kit, testing and staff is putting elderly residents at risk. The Sunday Mirror says the Conservative government still doesn't know the value of Britain's true heroes. Meanwhile, the Sun on Sunday reports that protection officers for Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward no longer carry guns, but Tasers. It says the move is part of a widespread review of security for junior royals, politicians and diplomats. One former protection officer calls it "nonsensical".
Stop being covidiots! London park shuts after 3,000 people visit, police break up 18th birthday party and revellers face court over beach barbecue as Britons defy Boris Johnson's plea to stay indoors
Lambeth Council today said: 'Despite clear advice, over 3,000 people spent today in Brockwell Park, many of them sunbathing or in large groups. This is unacceptable. Unfortunately, the actions of a minority now mean that, following police advice, Brockwell Park will be closed tomorrow. #StayHome.' It comes after thousands of people ignored the Prime Minister's plea to stay indoors to support the NHS and instead gathered in large groups to enjoy the weekend's good weather. Sussex Police said that two people will be summonsed to attend court after breaching the Coronavirus Act 2020 by having a barbecue on Hove Beach, Brighton. Similar flouting of the lockdown rules was reported across the capital. The shutdown comes after the nation suffered the worst day yet in the coronavirus crisis with 708 dead. Pictured: Crowds in Regents Park, London, Police Community Support Officers patrolling Brighton beach (inset|) and Newham Police's tweet today after raiding a 18th birthday party where 25 guests were present (right).
Rishi Sunak’s war Matt Hancock: Chancellor says economy won’t recover without swift exit from coronavirus lock down and his supporters claim cautious Health Secretary is terrified that pandemic will finish his career
Chancellor Rishi Sunak (left) has made 'robust' representations to Health Secretary Matt Hancock (right), arguing that unless a path is mapped now for a swift return to normal economic activity it could cause lasting damage to the country. Government critics of Mr Hancock argue his 'careerist' fear of being personally blamed for a collapse in the NHS is blinding him to the dangers of a protracted lockdown. But allies of Mr Hancock hit back last night, saying: 'He is just doing his job, which is to protect the NHS.' Inset: a graphic shows the number of deaths and infections per day.
Comments
Queues stretched a quarter of a mile outside the make-shift facility at Ikea in Wembley onto the North Circular
Members of the public were turned away and NHS staff refused entrance because they had wrong paperwork
One woman was even annoyed she couldn't pop into the store to buy a picture frame, MailOnline can reveal
Meanwhile, another temporary facility set-up to test frontline medics in Chessington barely saw any traffic
Government has been accused of 'complacent' approach as number of coronavirus tests lag behind Germany
Michael Gove blamed shortage of chemicals but industry suggested there are enough materials for the NHS
Labs have claimed the government has been snubbing their offers of help with a 'centralised' approach
Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8175037/Testing-shambles-spirals-desperate-Boris-Johnson-blames-chemical-shortage.html
Or do you think they are just making it up as they go along?
We were apparently in the herd immunity boat with Sweden, but abandoned it to change our strategy.
Sweden didn't and have many schools open, as well as bars, and restaurants.
They only limited gatherings yesterday, to no more than 500 people.
Our lockdown is clearly restricting the spread of the virus, allowing the NHS to cope with a consistent level of infections.
Ending the lockdown will surely produce a new surge.
The experts are saying that it will take 12 to 18 months to produce a properly tested vaccine.
Herd immunity requires maybe 70% of the population to have contracted the virus.
Tony Blair suggested at the weekend, that the number of tests required will be equivalent to the whole population, a few times.
This means that there aren't any short term solutions.
At current rates testing the whole population once, will take many years.
The lockdown drastically slows down any prospect of herd immunity.
Continuing the lockdown would surely mean that we would get the vaccine before reaching the percentage required for herd immunity, but that would mean a 12 or 18 month lockdown.
Do they really have a clue what they are doing?
also they have by far the lowest %deaths to cases if ulook at spain and Italy cases to deaths.
fwiw i think we were weeks behind gearing up fore the lockdown as fore public transport we all no how packed they are easiest way to spread the virus 50 people+in a carrige
1 person could spread itbut until last week we were herding them on to trains and tubes like it was all gonna be ok
sorry 4 my ramblings
Firstly, in early stages, to utilise spare capacity in NHS by allowing a certain number to get it early. To be fair to the Govt, can hardly admit to that.
Now? They are waiting to see how the figures pan out, and react from there. At some point, the economy will outweigh a certain number of extra deaths-again, they can't admit to that.
Current plan is probably lockdown til June, then relax measures considerably in the Summer, then about 1 month lockdown in the Autumn. But that all depends on how the figures go, both here and abroad.
The lockdown can only be permanently stopped by one of two methods.
A vaccine, or herd immunity.
Is that correct or is there another way?
Vulnerable people have to be protected.
So a temporary suspension of the lockdown, would not affect them, they would have to stay locked down.
The lockdown also slows down herd immunity as less people become infected.
Just to even find out our true position means testing the whole population at least once.
Even at 100,000 per day that alone would take almost 2 years.
I can see it ending in 12 or 18 months when we have a vaccine.
Surely a suspension of the lockdown just creates another peak.
How does it end completely if it not through herd immunity, or a vaccine?
How long would it take to reach the herd immunity target, if you keep restricting the number of infections, through lockdowns.
Better a limited number get it in the Summer rather than a massive spike in December.
Things will get better-look at China. Or the entire history of the world.
Besides, there are limits as to how long the country can withstand lockdown, both mentally and financially.
Likeliest outcome:-worse in April, improvements in May OR June, reduction (not removal) of lockdown, minor spike in the Autumn, then world gradually returns to normal.
We also need to know the numbers of the population that have had the virus.
The stats that are being published at the moment are not of great value.
If you compare the number of deaths to the number of cases the picture alters according to the numbers being tested.
You could compare 2 locations. One of which could have done loads of tests, therefore found loads of cases, and would therefore have a much lower number of deaths as a percentage of cases.
If the other location had done little testing, therefore found less cases, their deaths would form a much percentage of cases.
Should Mr Hancock fail, it concludes, the cost will not be his job but lives lost.
The Sun takes aim at Public Health England, saying the crisis has laid bare its complacency and ineptitude.
For years this monument to "bloated, sluggish bureaucracy" has banged on obsessively about obesity but facing the gravest crisis in a century, its failings have been hideously exposed.
It says blame for what it calls "this shambles" lies not with Public Health England but squarely with the government. It has been, the paper argues, consistently behind the curve in its response to the pandemic.
Mr Hancock has made a big promise, it says. If he can't deliver, public confidence in the government will evaporate.
According to the Daily Telegraph, public health officials in charge of defending the country from a major pandemic never drew up plans for mass community testing, despite warnings from the World Health Organization.
It's been told emergency planners "did not discuss" the need for community testing because they wrongly believed a new strain of influenza would be the next outbreak to strike the UK.
The Guardian highlights new data which suggests the coronavirus outbreak took hold earlier in the UK than previously thought.
It says according to NHS England the earliest death occurred on 28 February, almost a week earlier than previously acknowledged.
The Financial Times leads on the economic shockwaves the virus is continuing to make around the world.
It says about four million French workers have applied for temporary unemployment benefits during the past two weeks, while Spain has recorded the biggest jump in unemployment in its history, with more than 800,000 people losing their jobs last month.
The New York Times says the reported loss of 10 million jobs in the US shows the scope of the unfolding economic disaster.
It says hopes for a dramatic but brief downturn followed by a quick recovery have faded, and in their place are fears that the world may be on the cusp of an economic shock unseen since the Great Depression.
It says the speed and scale of the job losses is without precedent.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-52144805
Concern that there's a lack of an exit strategy from the lockdown makes the lead for the Times. It reports that one of the government's senior advisors is warning the UK has "painted itself into a corner" with no clear way out of the crisis.
Prof Graham Medley, the government's chief pandemic modeller, tells the paper a prolonged lockdown risks causing more suffering - in terms of unemployment, domestic violence and mental ill health - than the virus itself.
He says no way has so far been found of easing the lockdown while controlling the virus and that the notion of herd immunity may need to be reconsidered. The country, he tells the paper, is facing a "trade-off between harming the young, versus the old".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-52161777
"Britain's testing shambles" is the headline on the front of the Guardian, which warns the government's pledge to carry out 100,000 checks a day is "unravelling".
It says NHS laboratory staff and scientists are warning they don't have the chemicals and components they need to meet the target.
The paper details what it calls a "timeline of mixed messages" from the government, which it says stands accused of "over-promising and under-delivering on a variety of claims".
NHS staff will be infecting their families, other patients, and visitors to A&E, who will in turn infect their families when they are discharged.
Members of the public will surely become infected when food shopping, as will the staff looking after them.
Both lots will infect their families.
Those not observing social distancing rules, will pass it on to others.
That said, we are controlling the number of new infections.
Removing the lockdown surely removes this control.
The peak that we are supposed to reach shortly, will represent the infection of a very small percentage of the population.
The Times article says The Government has painted us into a corner, and has no post lockdown strategy.
One of the experts on NewsNight last night said that the current strategy seemed to be one of endless lockdowns, and breaks.
This may last forever, but may only last for a year, a couple of months, or even a month.
Boris Johnson's coronavirus lockdown has pinned Britain 'into a corner' with no obvious exit strategy, according to a senior Downing Street scientific adviser who braced the country for a return to a policy of herd immunity. Professor Graham Medley, the government's chief pandemic modeller (inset) said the only viable path through the health emergency would be to let people become infected so they are no longer vulnerable. He warned the current restrictions would not steer the country out of the pandemic - only prevent a short-term spread - but would bring the economy to its knees. Mounting unemployment, domestic violence and burgeoning mental health issues could be widespread if the normal functioning of society remains paralysed (London bus travelling down an empty Regents Street, middle), Prof Medley forecast. Describing a trade-off between harming the lives of the young versus safeguarding the wellbeing of the elderly, the scientist said the Prime Minister had a 'big decision' to make on April 13 when the lockdown will be reviewed (a patient being taken into the Royal Free Hospital, London, left). Yet noises from Number 10 suggests the current curbs to everyday life will not be lifted, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday urging the public to 'keep their discipline'. He begged Britons to stay indoors ahead of a warm weekend as the UK announced 684 more Covid-19 fatalities, hiking the death toll to 3,605 and more than 38,000 cases (right) - surpassing the number of deaths recorded by China, where the virus spawned late last year.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html
The Observer leads with the pledge by the new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to work with Boris Johnson "in the national interest", in order to fight the coronavirus outbreak.
It says he's agreed to meet the prime minister this week to talk.
The Sunday Telegraph says the promise to work together with the government is a change of tone for Labour, and signals a break from what it calls the "overtly hostile" approach of Jeremy Corbyn's regime.
But the Sunday Times says that, in also setting out tough criticism of the government's actions, Sir Keir has thrown down the gauntlet to the prime minister.
It says the government deserves to be chastised for some of its missteps, and urges Mr Johnson to reach out, not only to the Labour leader, but also to Conservatives with more experience than the current Cabinet.
It says figures such as Jeremy Hunt and the former leaders Lord Hague and Theresa May all have something to offer a government that needs it.
The Sunday Express calls the Queen's broadcast tonight a "historic address" that will rally the nation in its desperate fight against the pandemic.
The Sun on Sunday uses the headline "Greatest Britons", saying her words will pay tribute to the country's strength.
According to the Sunday Telegraph, Downing Street hopes that the Queen's intervention can lift the nation's spirits, at a time when people are being urged to abide by tough rules limiting their movements.
The Mail on Sunday reports that two of the most senior government ministers leading the response to the pandemic are locked in battle about when to lift the current restrictions.
It says the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has made "robust" arguments to Health Secretary Matt Hancock that the country could suffer lasting damage unless there is a plan for a swift return to normal activity.
Mr Hancock's backers insist he is protecting the NHS.
The Observer says there is open debate in both Whitehall and the scientific community about the best route out of the lockdown measures.
The online Independent says the social care system is at risk of collapse within weeks due to pressure from the coronavirus.
It says care providers are complaining that some local councils are failing to release emergency funding they've been given, and says firms have been pushed to the brink of closure.
The website says concern is growing in Whitehall about the resilience of the system, but many in the sector say they have raised questions and had no response.
The Sunday People also warns of what it calls a "care home time bomb", saying a lack of kit, testing and staff is putting elderly residents at risk.
The Sunday Mirror says the Conservative government still doesn't know the value of Britain's true heroes.
Meanwhile, the Sun on Sunday reports that protection officers for Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward no longer carry guns, but Tasers.
It says the move is part of a widespread review of security for junior royals, politicians and diplomats. One former protection officer calls it "nonsensical".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-52169725
Lambeth Council today said: 'Despite clear advice, over 3,000 people spent today in Brockwell Park, many of them sunbathing or in large groups. This is unacceptable. Unfortunately, the actions of a minority now mean that, following police advice, Brockwell Park will be closed tomorrow. #StayHome.' It comes after thousands of people ignored the Prime Minister's plea to stay indoors to support the NHS and instead gathered in large groups to enjoy the weekend's good weather. Sussex Police said that two people will be summonsed to attend court after breaching the Coronavirus Act 2020 by having a barbecue on Hove Beach, Brighton. Similar flouting of the lockdown rules was reported across the capital. The shutdown comes after the nation suffered the worst day yet in the coronavirus crisis with 708 dead. Pictured: Crowds in Regents Park, London, Police Community Support Officers patrolling Brighton beach (inset|) and Newham Police's tweet today after raiding a 18th birthday party where 25 guests were present (right).
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html
Chancellor Rishi Sunak (left) has made 'robust' representations to Health Secretary Matt Hancock (right), arguing that unless a path is mapped now for a swift return to normal economic activity it could cause lasting damage to the country. Government critics of Mr Hancock argue his 'careerist' fear of being personally blamed for a collapse in the NHS is blinding him to the dangers of a protracted lockdown. But allies of Mr Hancock hit back last night, saying: 'He is just doing his job, which is to protect the NHS.' Inset: a graphic shows the number of deaths and infections per day.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html