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UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson says country can 'turn the tide' in 12 weeks UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson says country can 'turn the tide' in 12 weeks
(32 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of the latest coronavirus developments in the UKRolling coverage of the latest coronavirus developments in the UK
Some words used by politicians, reporters and the public during the coronavirus have been open to different interpretations, which has sometimes caused problems. “Self-isolate” has been used to mean ‘avoid contact with anyone” and just “don’t go out much”, which meant when Matt Hancock said all over-70s would have to self-isolate for three months, he caused some alarm. London being in “lockdown” could mean quarantine and martial law (never a prospect, as No 10 made clear today) or just all the pubs being closed (still an option). And now we have got “turn the tide”, which Boris Johnson says the UK will be able to do within 12 weeks. Many people will hear that as a prediction that after three months life will start getting back to normal. But it may very well not mean that, as Johnson came close to acknowledging when he faced questions.
Here are the main points from his press conference.
Johnson said that the UK would be able to “turn the tide” in the fight against coronavirus in the next 12 weeks. In his opening remarks in the press conference, responding to growing public concern about how long the social distancing measures now in force might last, he said:
Johnson argued that by the middle of June scientific advances would be helping considerably in the fight against coronavirus (see below). But, when asked if he thought that people would be able to go on their summer holidays, he refused to give a direct answer to the question. And, when asked to explain what he meant by turning the tide within 12 weeks, he said he could not be sure the UK would be on the “downward slope” at that point. He said:
This is a sensitive topic because, if coronavirus cannot be beaten within 12 weeks, then the social distancing measures in place now could stay in force for potentially a year or more. In the Imperial College paper (pdf) published on Monday, which explained the modelling that persuaded the government drastic “suppression” measures were vital, the authors said:
At a briefing this morning Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser suggested that a long-term “exit strategy” from the current coronavirus policy could involve waiting for a vaccine.
Johnson says the first British patient had been put in a randomised trial for a treatment for coronavirus.
He said he expected that relatively soon the government would be able to do mass testing to see if people had had coronavirus. This could be a “game changer”, he claimed, because it would allow the government to track the disease and determine when people could safely go back to work. He said:
He appealed to retailers not to engage in profiteering. He said:
He said that compliance with social distancing rules in some parts of London was “very patchy” and he did not rule out bringing in tougher measures for the capital. He said:
But there was no prospect of public transport being shut in the capital, he said:
Whitty said that it would be at least two weeks before the social distancing measures now in place might lead to the infection rate slowing. He said:
Johnson said he was minded to give up holding press conferences in a room with journalists because that implied they were not taking social distancing advice seriously. But he did want to continue speaking to the media daily, he said, suggesting they might take place remotely. (See 5.48pm.)
Police Scotland has “temporarily suspended non-essential training” in a bid to support communities amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The PA news agency understands the majority of training will be stopped from Friday with 266 positive cases in Scotland and six deaths.
Probationer, public order and first aid training is scheduled to continue.
GCSEs should be awarded to pupils from this year’s cohort based on predicted grades following the government’s ‘extraordinary’ step of cancelling exams, say academics from the UCL Institute of Education.
The researchers say this is a better solution than rescheduling exams for later in the year, which could negatively impact children, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, who are less likely to benefit from private tutoring.
They added that online exams or subject assessment by coursework would not be viable options due to problems of monitoring, data security and comparability.
Halfords has launched a contactless garage service for any motorists that are self-isolating and staying indoors.
Technicians from Halfords’ Mobile Vans fleet, which includes its Mobile Expert and Tyres On The Drive services, are offering customers the option of having car repairs and fittings done outside their homes or on their drives without coming into contact with anyone.
More info on their website.
The NHS is using wartime rhetoric in a bid to cajole retired doctors and nurses to come back to help relieve the massive pressure expected on hospitals from Covid-19.The NHS is using wartime rhetoric in a bid to cajole retired doctors and nurses to come back to help relieve the massive pressure expected on hospitals from Covid-19.
Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, said:Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, said:
The appeal, from their professional bodies - the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the General Medical Council - will go to 50,000 nurses and 15,500 doctors who have left the NHS in the last three years, asking them to re-register.The appeal, from their professional bodies - the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the General Medical Council - will go to 50,000 nurses and 15,500 doctors who have left the NHS in the last three years, asking them to re-register.
“By offering to return to the NHS now, these thousands of well-qualified and compassionate people will make more of a difference than ever before - not just to patients, but to colleagues and the wider community,” says Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for the NHS.Final year medical students and student nurses are also being offered the chance to take temporary, fully-paid roles on the frontline. A variety of jobs - clinical and non-clinical - will be available to any of the retirees who want to come back to help.“By offering to return to the NHS now, these thousands of well-qualified and compassionate people will make more of a difference than ever before - not just to patients, but to colleagues and the wider community,” says Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for the NHS.Final year medical students and student nurses are also being offered the chance to take temporary, fully-paid roles on the frontline. A variety of jobs - clinical and non-clinical - will be available to any of the retirees who want to come back to help.
The head of the UK’s biggest children’s hospice has warned that frontline charities providing vital health and care services to vulnerable people face financial catastrophe without urgent government aid to keep them afloat.The head of the UK’s biggest children’s hospice has warned that frontline charities providing vital health and care services to vulnerable people face financial catastrophe without urgent government aid to keep them afloat.
Toby Porter, chief executive of Acorns hospice in the West Midlands, told the Guardian that smaller charities dependent on community fundraising and charity shop income could be forced to reduce services within weeks.Toby Porter, chief executive of Acorns hospice in the West Midlands, told the Guardian that smaller charities dependent on community fundraising and charity shop income could be forced to reduce services within weeks.
Charity leaders have estimated the sector as a whole faces losses running into hundreds of millions over the next few months as thousands of fundraising events are cancelled, ranging from the London Marathon through to local fetes and coffee mornings.Charity leaders have estimated the sector as a whole faces losses running into hundreds of millions over the next few months as thousands of fundraising events are cancelled, ranging from the London Marathon through to local fetes and coffee mornings.
Porter said:Porter said:
Acorns Hospice provides palliative nursing care and support to 800 babies and children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions every year. Nearly two thirds of its £11m income is dependent on fundraising and from profits from its 54 charity shops. Those £1m profits evaporate if high streets are are locked down, leaving the charity with huge fixed costs.Acorns Hospice provides palliative nursing care and support to 800 babies and children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions every year. Nearly two thirds of its £11m income is dependent on fundraising and from profits from its 54 charity shops. Those £1m profits evaporate if high streets are are locked down, leaving the charity with huge fixed costs.
There is growing anger across the voluntary sector that at a time when they are being asked to step up to deliver local support for vulnerable people affected by coronavirus measures the government has yet to offer them emergency funding in the same way as it has for small and medium sized business.There is growing anger across the voluntary sector that at a time when they are being asked to step up to deliver local support for vulnerable people affected by coronavirus measures the government has yet to offer them emergency funding in the same way as it has for small and medium sized business.
Karl Wilding, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations tweeted:Karl Wilding, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations tweeted:
A winter night shelter run by a Christian charity in Glasgow is to close after a guest and member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.A winter night shelter run by a Christian charity in Glasgow is to close after a guest and member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.
Glasgow City Mission helps vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the city with situations including homelessness, addiction, poverty, family breakdown, prostitution, persecution overseas and asylum.Glasgow City Mission helps vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the city with situations including homelessness, addiction, poverty, family breakdown, prostitution, persecution overseas and asylum.
People who had been planning to use the facility will now be directed to alternative accommodation.People who had been planning to use the facility will now be directed to alternative accommodation.
Continuing advice is being issued by the Scottish Government for those with any symptoms to self-isolate for seven days. The charity has called for funding to help at-risk people do this.Continuing advice is being issued by the Scottish Government for those with any symptoms to self-isolate for seven days. The charity has called for funding to help at-risk people do this.
The department of health and social care has announced £2.9 billion of the chancellor’s £5 billion response fund will go to help sort out a long-running problem that is now going to become critical: the “bed blocking” in the NHS caused by elderly and vulnerable people who are fit to go home but have no safe home to go to.The department of health and social care has announced £2.9 billion of the chancellor’s £5 billion response fund will go to help sort out a long-running problem that is now going to become critical: the “bed blocking” in the NHS caused by elderly and vulnerable people who are fit to go home but have no safe home to go to.
Local authorities will get £1.6 billion to boost the social care workforce - the carers who are vital to look after elderly people and those with other needs once they get out of hospital, whether they are returning to their own home or moving into a care home.Local authorities will get £1.6 billion to boost the social care workforce - the carers who are vital to look after elderly people and those with other needs once they get out of hospital, whether they are returning to their own home or moving into a care home.
The rest of the money - £1.3 billion - will go to “enhance the NHS discharge process”, so that those who are fit to be discharged can actually leave.The rest of the money - £1.3 billion - will go to “enhance the NHS discharge process”, so that those who are fit to be discharged can actually leave.
Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock said:Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock said:
If some elderly and vulnerable people get out of hospital and home sooner, then something good will have come out of this crisis, although the Local Government Association pointed out that the money would just help with the extra impact that coronavirus is having.If some elderly and vulnerable people get out of hospital and home sooner, then something good will have come out of this crisis, although the Local Government Association pointed out that the money would just help with the extra impact that coronavirus is having.
Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board:Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board:
Johnson says he is often accused of sounding “unnecessarily boosterish”.Johnson says he is often accused of sounding “unnecessarily boosterish”.
He does not want to strike that note today, he says.He does not want to strike that note today, he says.
But he thinks we will start to get through this, he says.But he thinks we will start to get through this, he says.
He says companies should “think very carefully” before they lay off their staff.He says companies should “think very carefully” before they lay off their staff.
He says at some point in the future he may start holding these press conferences remotely. But he wants to ensure that he carries on holding these discussions every day.He says at some point in the future he may start holding these press conferences remotely. But he wants to ensure that he carries on holding these discussions every day.
He says he does not want people to think they are not following their own advice.He says he does not want people to think they are not following their own advice.
He ask the journalists what they want. Someone says it is important reporters can ask him questions. He says he will ensure that happens, although perhaps not all at the same time.He ask the journalists what they want. Someone says it is important reporters can ask him questions. He says he will ensure that happens, although perhaps not all at the same time.
And that’s it.And that’s it.
I will post a summary and analysis soon.I will post a summary and analysis soon.
Q: You say you think you can turn the tide in 12 weeks. What does that mean? Does that mean we will be returning to our normal lives?Q: You say you think you can turn the tide in 12 weeks. What does that mean? Does that mean we will be returning to our normal lives?
Johnson says he wants us to get on top of this. At the moment the disease does not seem yet to be responding to the interventions. A combination of the measures taken by the public and better testing will enable us to turn the tide.Johnson says he wants us to get on top of this. At the moment the disease does not seem yet to be responding to the interventions. A combination of the measures taken by the public and better testing will enable us to turn the tide.
But Johnson says he cannot say that by the end of June we will be on a downward slope.But Johnson says he cannot say that by the end of June we will be on a downward slope.
But this will be “finite”, he says.But this will be “finite”, he says.
Vallance says the measures in place should have an impact on the rate of growth of the epidemic.Vallance says the measures in place should have an impact on the rate of growth of the epidemic.
You would expect the epidemic to come down. Then you can move to a phase where you test and trace.You would expect the epidemic to come down. Then you can move to a phase where you test and trace.
There are then trials starting, one today, and vaccine trials later.There are then trials starting, one today, and vaccine trials later.
That is where we need to get to, he says.That is where we need to get to, he says.
Q: Is there any evidence young people are being affected worse than expected?Q: Is there any evidence young people are being affected worse than expected?
Whitty says most people who get this experience just a mild illness.Whitty says most people who get this experience just a mild illness.
Older people get it more severely, he says.Older people get it more severely, he says.
But he says that does not mean that there will not be severe cases amongst some young adults.But he says that does not mean that there will not be severe cases amongst some young adults.
Q: Do you accept that every day you delay announcing business support measures, thousands of jobs will go.Q: Do you accept that every day you delay announcing business support measures, thousands of jobs will go.
Johnson says it is vital that people understand that government will support business, and businesses should support their workers.Johnson says it is vital that people understand that government will support business, and businesses should support their workers.
He says he thinks the government will have a “great package” on this. Rishi Sunak will say more tomorrow, he says.He says he thinks the government will have a “great package” on this. Rishi Sunak will say more tomorrow, he says.
Whitty says the government is confident that antibody tests will become available. But it is not sure yet whether the ones on the market work.Whitty says the government is confident that antibody tests will become available. But it is not sure yet whether the ones on the market work.
He says, once they are available, NHS staff will be the first priority group to get them.He says, once they are available, NHS staff will be the first priority group to get them.
He says they will help society normalise, even while a relatively large number of cases are still occurring.He says they will help society normalise, even while a relatively large number of cases are still occurring.
Q: Are you worried about people profiteering?Q: Are you worried about people profiteering?
Johnson says he hopes retailers will be reasonable. He really does not want to see any profiteering, he says.Johnson says he hopes retailers will be reasonable. He really does not want to see any profiteering, he says.
“Please be reasonable”, he says.“Please be reasonable”, he says.
Whitty says the pressure on London will rise.Whitty says the pressure on London will rise.
A&E and respiratory care in hospitals will come under pressure.A&E and respiratory care in hospitals will come under pressure.
Even if everyone does what the government is advising, the numbers will still go up for the next fortnight. That is because, even if the social distancing measures work, there will be a lag.Even if everyone does what the government is advising, the numbers will still go up for the next fortnight. That is because, even if the social distancing measures work, there will be a lag.
He says there is evidence that a huge number of people are taking social distancing seriously.He says there is evidence that a huge number of people are taking social distancing seriously.
But we do not yet know whether that will be enough to work.But we do not yet know whether that will be enough to work.
Whitty says social distancing measures will not stop coronavirus cases rising for at least two weeks.Whitty says social distancing measures will not stop coronavirus cases rising for at least two weeks.
He says it is too soon to know whether the social distancing measures will work.He says it is too soon to know whether the social distancing measures will work.
Johnson says testing is crucial to beating this virus.Johnson says testing is crucial to beating this virus.
He says tests have an enormous potential to help.He says tests have an enormous potential to help.
Vallance says Public Health England will be ramping the number of tests up to 25,000 [per day].Vallance says Public Health England will be ramping the number of tests up to 25,000 [per day].
If the antibody test works, that will be easy to scale up, he says.If the antibody test works, that will be easy to scale up, he says.