What they DON'T tell you about Covid: Fewer beds taken up than last year, deaths a fraction of the grim forecasts, 95% of fatalities had underlying causes... and how coronavirus facts can be twisted to strike fear in our hearts
With the nation's health at stake, it was revealed this week that GCHQ has embedded a team in Downing Street to provide Boris Johnson with real-time updates to combat the 'emerging and changing threat' posed by Covid-19. How accurate were the Government's grim predictions? The short answer is: not very. In a July report commissioned by Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, scientists estimated that there could be 119,000 deaths if a second spike coincided with a peak of winter flu. Yesterday, that figure stood at 54,286 - less than half that. In fact, the second peak seems to have passed - over the past week there has been an average of 22,287 new infections a day, down from 24,430 the week before. In mid-September, Sir Patrick made the terrifying claim that the UK could see 50,000 new coronavirus cases a day by mid-October unless more draconian restrictions were introduced. Yet we have never got near that figure.
Many front pages focus on the prime minister's plans for which Covid restrictions will come next in England.
"Tiers on Steroids" is the Sun on Sunday's verdict on plans to end the lockdown but introduce stricter regional levels of controls - though as a silver lining it notes that the 10pm pub curfew will be lifted.
The Sunday Express makes the angry reaction of some Tory MPs its lead under the headline: "Lockdown Ultimatum."
Both papers report that Boris Johnson faces a backbench rebellion with 70 Tory MPs and a number of peers signing a letter warning that the lockdown cure "runs the very real risk of being worse than the disease".
"The fright before Christmas" is the Sunday Mirror's take.
The paper says bleakly that "the PM will formally declare on Monday that Christmas, as we know it, is off".
The Observer leads on a claim that the PM acted illegally over the appointment of key figures in the fight against Covid.
It reports that campaigners concerned about an apparent "chumocracy" at the heart of government have lodged a case in the High Court seeking judicial review of how Dido Harding was awarded the role of head of NHS Test and Trace, along with two other senior appointments in the government's anti-Covid task force.
The paper says the Good Law Project and the Runnymede Trust believe the roles were not advertised or subject to normal open competition.
There are not too many pics for the agenda man to enjoy,but I’m sure his agenda can convince others. The only trouble with having an agenda is you will confuse yourself. So media monkey, keep going, you’re entertaining for sure.
For the Guardian and the Daily Telegraph it is the potential changes to NHS Test and Trace self-isolation rules that make the lead.
The Telegraph suggests that an "ineffective and hated" system will be dismantled in January.
The Guardian says if trials are successful people could take a daily test for seven days and if they are clear of Covid, to avoid having to self isolate for two weeks.
The Times reports that unions are threatening to strike if a public sector pay freeze is announced - while pressure mounts on MPs to turn down their proposed pay rise next year.
The Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances O'Grady believes it is "morally obscene" to hit the public sector, while the Taxpayers' Alliance says MPs getting a rise sends "the wrong message".
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has insisted it is reasonable to consider public sector pay in the current economic climate.
"Waste that'll make you weep" is the main headline for the Daily Mail.
It claims its investigations unit working together with the Taxpayers' Alliance has revealed how £5.6bn of public cash was "frittered away by Whitehall mandarins" on what it describes as a "state sector gravy train".
The paper says more than 4,000 Freedom of Information requests were made and government contracts and databases analysed to uncover that thousands of pounds were spent on first-class travel at the Treasury.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health shelled out £50,000 supplying "hipster" takeaway food to its staff in the first weeks of the pandemic. Bonuses accounted for £42m.
Boris Johnson will unveil post-December 2 lockdown 'Tiers' TODAY with Christmas shopping saved and gyms able to reopen - but pubs and restaurants face stricter rules as ministers plead with Tory rebels to recognise there is a 'way through'
In a Commons statement this afternoon, Boris Johnson is set to confirm the second national lockdown will end in England on December 2, with a return to the regional approach that was in force before. But the rules will be significantly tougher in key respects, leaving the hospitality industry facing 'catastrophic' restrictions while retail is allowed to continue to prop up the economy. The trade-off sparked anger amid warnings that thousands of businesses could be pushed to the wall by the restrictions, even though the hated 10pm pubs curfew is set to be loosened. However, in a round of interviews, Health Secretary Matt Hancock (pictured left) insisted it was a more 'calibrated' approach that would 'save lives', saying there is now a 'way through' the misery. Mr Johnson - who could address the nation on TV this evening - is also close to agreeing a UK-wide Christmas deal with Scotland's Nicola Sturgeon and other devolved leaders that will allow families a chance to see some friends and loved ones. That plan could be finalised as early as tomorrow.
Cost of failing Test and Trace hits £22bn - and Boris Johnson still defends it
Boris Johnson insists the Government's failing Test and Trace system does provide "value" for money as its total budget soared to £22 billion.
The Prime Minister admitted there had been "teething problems" but defended the eye-watering cost of the centrally-run scheme which has been heavily criticised for its failings.
About four in 10 contacts of those who test positive for the virus are still not being reached, according to the latest figures.
The Prime Minister announced an extra £7 billion for Test and Trace in his winter plan on Monday in a bid to increase testing and improve contact tracing.
SAGE Scrooge warns PM's three-home Christmas bubbles plan risks 'snatching defeat from the jaws of victory' by sparking a THIRD wave – as he urges families to delay get-togethers until Easter after PM gave Britons five days of festive freedom Professor Andrew Hayward claimed that it will 'lead to to increase transmission' and 'hospitals being overrun' England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland took part in a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee The four home nations have agreed on a joint plan for the Christmas period which will see some rules relaxed The four-nation cross-UK plan will mean that rules are eased for five days from December 23 to December 27 Up to three households will be allowed to meet indoors, paving the way for families across the UK to meet up
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With the nation's health at stake, it was revealed this week that GCHQ has embedded a team in Downing Street to provide Boris Johnson with real-time updates to combat the 'emerging and changing threat' posed by Covid-19. How accurate were the Government's grim predictions? The short answer is: not very. In a July report commissioned by Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, scientists estimated that there could be 119,000 deaths if a second spike coincided with a peak of winter flu. Yesterday, that figure stood at 54,286 - less than half that. In fact, the second peak seems to have passed - over the past week there has been an average of 22,287 new infections a day, down from 24,430 the week before. In mid-September, Sir Patrick made the terrifying claim that the UK could see 50,000 new coronavirus cases a day by mid-October unless more draconian restrictions were introduced. Yet we have never got near that figure.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8971669/What-DONT-tell-Covid-facts-twisted-strike-fear-hearts.html
"Tiers on Steroids" is the Sun on Sunday's verdict on plans to end the lockdown but introduce stricter regional levels of controls - though as a silver lining it notes that the 10pm pub curfew will be lifted.
The Sunday Express makes the angry reaction of some Tory MPs its lead under the headline: "Lockdown Ultimatum."
Both papers report that Boris Johnson faces a backbench rebellion with 70 Tory MPs and a number of peers signing a letter warning that the lockdown cure "runs the very real risk of being worse than the disease".
"The fright before Christmas" is the Sunday Mirror's take.
The paper says bleakly that "the PM will formally declare on Monday that Christmas, as we know it, is off".
The Observer leads on a claim that the PM acted illegally over the appointment of key figures in the fight against Covid.
It reports that campaigners concerned about an apparent "chumocracy" at the heart of government have lodged a case in the High Court seeking judicial review of how Dido Harding was awarded the role of head of NHS Test and Trace, along with two other senior appointments in the government's anti-Covid task force.
The paper says the Good Law Project and the Runnymede Trust believe the roles were not advertised or subject to normal open competition.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-55032180
So media monkey, keep going, you’re entertaining for sure.
And is ethnicity a major problem regarding catching Covid?
Don’t think so, by judging some folks in these pics.
I think I’d rather take my chances with chlorinated chicken.
Chicken before the egg.
For the Guardian and the Daily Telegraph it is the potential changes to NHS Test and Trace self-isolation rules that make the lead.
The Telegraph suggests that an "ineffective and hated" system will be dismantled in January.
The Guardian says if trials are successful people could take a daily test for seven days and if they are clear of Covid, to avoid having to self isolate for two weeks.
The Times reports that unions are threatening to strike if a public sector pay freeze is announced - while pressure mounts on MPs to turn down their proposed pay rise next year.
The Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances O'Grady believes it is "morally obscene" to hit the public sector, while the Taxpayers' Alliance says MPs getting a rise sends "the wrong message".
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has insisted it is reasonable to consider public sector pay in the current economic climate.
"Waste that'll make you weep" is the main headline for the Daily Mail.
It claims its investigations unit working together with the Taxpayers' Alliance has revealed how £5.6bn of public cash was "frittered away by Whitehall mandarins" on what it describes as a "state sector gravy train".
The paper says more than 4,000 Freedom of Information requests were made and government contracts and databases analysed to uncover that thousands of pounds were spent on first-class travel at the Treasury.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health shelled out £50,000 supplying "hipster" takeaway food to its staff in the first weeks of the pandemic. Bonuses accounted for £42m.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-55038577
In a Commons statement this afternoon, Boris Johnson is set to confirm the second national lockdown will end in England on December 2, with a return to the regional approach that was in force before. But the rules will be significantly tougher in key respects, leaving the hospitality industry facing 'catastrophic' restrictions while retail is allowed to continue to prop up the economy. The trade-off sparked anger amid warnings that thousands of businesses could be pushed to the wall by the restrictions, even though the hated 10pm pubs curfew is set to be loosened. However, in a round of interviews, Health Secretary Matt Hancock (pictured left) insisted it was a more 'calibrated' approach that would 'save lives', saying there is now a 'way through' the misery. Mr Johnson - who could address the nation on TV this evening - is also close to agreeing a UK-wide Christmas deal with Scotland's Nicola Sturgeon and other devolved leaders that will allow families a chance to see some friends and loved ones. That plan could be finalised as early as tomorrow.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8976947/Boris-Johnson-unveil-post-December-2-lockdown-Tiers-TODAY.html
Boris Johnson insists the Government's failing Test and Trace system does provide "value" for money as its total budget soared to £22 billion.
The Prime Minister admitted there had been "teething problems" but defended the eye-watering cost of the centrally-run scheme which has been heavily criticised for its failings.
About four in 10 contacts of those who test positive for the virus are still not being reached, according to the latest figures.
The Prime Minister announced an extra £7 billion for Test and Trace in his winter plan on Monday in a bid to increase testing and improve contact tracing.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/coronavirus/cost-of-failing-test-and-trace-hits-22bn-and-boris-johnson-still-defends-it/ar-BB1bioiM?ocid=msedgntp
Professor Andrew Hayward claimed that it will 'lead to to increase transmission' and 'hospitals being overrun'
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland took part in a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee
The four home nations have agreed on a joint plan for the Christmas period which will see some rules relaxed
The four-nation cross-UK plan will mean that rules are eased for five days from December 23 to December 27
Up to three households will be allowed to meet indoors, paving the way for families across the UK to meet up
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8984443/SAGE-Scrooge-warns-Christmas-bubbles-recipe-regret-throw-fuel-Covid-fire.html