No chance this will work, says former WHO directorAnalysis: It's a question of IF - not WHEN - other parts of the country will face new restrictionsThe thing that really struck me was the prime minister's closing remarks there where he was very clear that these measures he announced today could work in driving down the disease, but he said it would only work if we implement all these measures effectively and implement Tier 3 properly.
This was more of a chance to speak directly to the nation, so he used his language to try and instill urgency in Britons to follow the existing measures. And he said neither he nor anybody else thinks that the baseline restrictions for areas in COVID alert Tier 3 will be enough, saying that’s why it’s important for there to be flexibility and a range of different options for special measures.
Funny old game, politics. The prime minister has gone out of his way today to praise Labour mayor Steve Rotheram several times in the Commons and now here - and yet he was clearly irked when asked about comments by a Tory mayor, Andy Street.England's chief medical officer was optimistic about the position we will be in by next winter.
"If we can't get agreement then clearly it is the duty of national govt to take the necssary action." But he admits"the idea we can't do this without doing harm is an illusion", adding:"It is a balancing act between two harms - the economy and society, and health."Chris Whitty – dubbed Professor Glum by some for his downbeat demeanour – says he’s “very confident” the new measures announced by the PM will work. Boris breathes a sigh of relief.
Mr Johnson says"I really hope" another national lockdown won't be needed but the first one was"essential"."I think many people would think that was extreme and it would do a great deal of... immediate harm. We don't want to go down that route right now." The second question from the public, about Christmas, suits the ever-optimistic prime minister much better – and he promise things will be “as close to normal as possible” at Christmas.
Referring to businesses which have been told by the government they will need to stay closed, he said:"If you're in that category, you will benefit from the JSS."The PM tells the member of the public selected to ask a question"we'll do our absolute best to try to make sure we get life back to as close to normal as possibly by Christmas" but that will depend on how well Britons can"follow-through" on restrictions.
Surly a national lockdown is more damaging to the economy than regional lockdowns? Sounds like he's only happy for Manchester to go into lockdown if everyone is!!! Petulant and petty. Get your shit in order sir.
What's the point? The virus will still be here... you do realise there is no vaccine, and probably never will be! We can't keep hiding away.
Labour lot only want free money. This Andy Burnham could not control the Swine flu when he was health minister and had blundered and this virus is very different to that. And sage cannot be trusted. They say things as and when it suits them.
I quit