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UK coronavirus live news: Boris Johnson says too early to ease lockdown as second peak would be disaster UK coronavirus live news: Boris Johnson says too early to ease lockdown as second peak would be disaster
(32 minutes later)
Prime minister makes first public statement since recovering from coronavirusPrime minister makes first public statement since recovering from coronavirus
The family of a veteran NHS doctor who died after contracting Covid-19 have paid tribute to him as an “honest, kind and generous man who was deeply respected”.
Dr Kamlesh Kumar Masson, who worked for the NHS for 47 years, died earlier this month aged 78.
His family, who described him as someone who “would have wanted to practise medicine for many more years to come”, said he last worked on March 12, adding that his career “came to an unexpected end last month, when he unfortunately contracted Covid-19”.
The doctor, who died on April 16, founded Milton Road Surgery in Grays, Essex, in 1985 and worked there until 2017, after which he did locum work across Thurrock and Basildon.
His family also described him as “an excellent clinician whose drive to constantly improve his clinical skills and knowledge with passion and enthusiasm will remain with us all as a reminder to always try to be the best”. They added:
He was well-known locally and recognised as a “dedicated, determined, positive individual who would always do his utmost to help in all endeavours”, they added. The family thanked the staff at University College London Hospital who “fought tirelessly” to try to save him.
Dr Masson completed his medical training in India and also worked as a doctor in East Africa. He worked in different parts of the UK before settling in Essex in 1975.
Dr Masson is among a number of NHS and private healthcare staff, from heart surgeons to nurses, porters and volunteers, who have lost their lives to the coronavirus in the UK. The Guardian has been chronicling their deaths here.
Earlier this year Boris Johnson experimented with holding a “people’s PMQs” on Facebook on Wednesday afternoons. Generally they were dreadful and, with coronavirus becoming a more serious issue in February and early March, No 10 seemed happy to abandon them.
But the concept of getting Johnson to respond directly to questions from members of the public has not been abandoned, and No 10 is now inviting non-journalists to submit questions for the afternoon press conference. One question will be selected every day (alongside the questions from journalists), and the questioner will be invited to record a video, or to just submit their question in writing.
You can apply to take part here.
One drawback is that questions have to be submitted by midday. At that point we don’t normally know who will be holding the press conference.
(Hopefully this is just an exercise in transparency and accountability, although some journalists may worry that this is early evidence of the resurgence of the “war on the Westminster lobby” that some in No 10 were merrily engaged in before the coronavirus crisis took hold.)
He’s better known for playing gangsters or superhero villains on the big screen, but Tom Hardy is adopting a different role during the coronavirus lockdown.
The Hollywood hard man will read a CBeebies bedtime story urging children to remember their loved ones are always with them, even if they cannot hug them because of social distancing.
It is a far cry from the 42-year-old actor’s roles playing the Kray twins in the film Legend, or Batman’s nemesis, Bain, in the Dark Knight Rises. But it’s not the first time he has appeared on the children’s TV channel, with the star first reading a story to children in 2016 – his stories have been requested more than 1m times on BBC iPlayer.
Hardy will read a new story each day from 27 April to 1 May, with the date of a sixth story yet to be confirmed. On Monday, he will read Hug Me, by Simona Ciraolo, about a young cactus called Felipe who really needs a hug, but his family “just isn’t the touchy-feely kind” so he sets off to find a friend.
He will open the story by saying: “Hello. I’m Tom. Sometimes, on a day like this, I feel strong and happy. But on other days, I just need somebody to give me a hug. Tonight’s bedtime story is all about a little cactus called Felipe, who just wants a hug too.”
Finishing the story, he will tell the channel’s young viewers: “So, in the end Felipe found someone to hug. It’s not always possible to hug the ones that you love. But they’re always there, in your heart. It’s time for bed. Off you go and I look forward to seeing you again for another bedtime story. Good night.”
CBeebies Bedtime Story is at 6.50pm on CBeebies and on BBC iPlayer.
Boris Johnson identifies with Churchill and even wrote a book about him (mediocre on Churchill, extremely revealing about Johnson himself), and it was hard to listen to this without hearing some echo of Churchill’s El Alamein speech. “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Johnson’s own words won’t be remembered in the way Churchill’s are, but he was telling the nation this morning that it is reaching a turning point of sorts.Boris Johnson identifies with Churchill and even wrote a book about him (mediocre on Churchill, extremely revealing about Johnson himself), and it was hard to listen to this without hearing some echo of Churchill’s El Alamein speech. “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Johnson’s own words won’t be remembered in the way Churchill’s are, but he was telling the nation this morning that it is reaching a turning point of sorts.
He was also, in subtle ways, re-defining the terms of engagement.He was also, in subtle ways, re-defining the terms of engagement.
Here are the main points.Here are the main points.
Johnson said it was too soon to ease the lockdown measures now. Although he acknowledged the pressure to relax the rules, he said this was also a moment of “maximum risk”.Johnson said it was too soon to ease the lockdown measures now. Although he acknowledged the pressure to relax the rules, he said this was also a moment of “maximum risk”.
See 9.56pm for more on this argument.See 9.56pm for more on this argument.
He said the UK was now “beginning to turn the tide”. There were “real signs now that we are passing through the peak”, he said. He said:He said the UK was now “beginning to turn the tide”. There were “real signs now that we are passing through the peak”, he said. He said:
This was Johnson effectively saying he remains committed to the prediction he made on 19 March (five and a half weeks ago) when he said the UK would “turn the tide within the next 12 weeks”.This was Johnson effectively saying he remains committed to the prediction he made on 19 March (five and a half weeks ago) when he said the UK would “turn the tide within the next 12 weeks”.
But Johnson also effectively re-defined “turning the tide”, saying that the UK was now near the point where it could move from “the first phase” to the “second phase”. Last month, when he made his “turning the tide” prediction, Johnson said:But Johnson also effectively re-defined “turning the tide”, saying that the UK was now near the point where it could move from “the first phase” to the “second phase”. Last month, when he made his “turning the tide” prediction, Johnson said:
Now no one is talking about sending coronavirus packing (Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, said last week coronavirus “is not going to be eradicated”) and Johnson said the aims in phase one were to ensure the NHS did not get overwhelmed and to “flatten the peak” of the curve.Now no one is talking about sending coronavirus packing (Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, said last week coronavirus “is not going to be eradicated”) and Johnson said the aims in phase one were to ensure the NHS did not get overwhelmed and to “flatten the peak” of the curve.
Johnson said that in the second phase lockdown restrictions would start to be lifted - but only “gradually”. He said:Johnson said that in the second phase lockdown restrictions would start to be lifted - but only “gradually”. He said:
He refused to make any predictions about what restrictions might be lifted, or when. He said:He refused to make any predictions about what restrictions might be lifted, or when. He said:
He also avoided any prediction about life returning to normal, or even the “new normal”, as ministers call it now.He also avoided any prediction about life returning to normal, or even the “new normal”, as ministers call it now.
He said that he wanted to build “the biggest possible consensus” about how and when to relax the lockdown measures. He said:He said that he wanted to build “the biggest possible consensus” about how and when to relax the lockdown measures. He said:
In some ways this was the most novel element in the speech. In the three weeks while Johnson has been off work, Dominic Raab, who has been deputising for him, has not given this sort of commitment. The Scottish government (here) and the Welsh government (here) have both published discussion papers about the issues to be considered as the lockdown gets lifted and Downing Street may be stung by the criticism that it is not consulting the public properly in a similar way. A good example is this statement from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics at the weekend. It says citizens’ assemblies should be used to help determine the path forward.In some ways this was the most novel element in the speech. In the three weeks while Johnson has been off work, Dominic Raab, who has been deputising for him, has not given this sort of commitment. The Scottish government (here) and the Welsh government (here) have both published discussion papers about the issues to be considered as the lockdown gets lifted and Downing Street may be stung by the criticism that it is not consulting the public properly in a similar way. A good example is this statement from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics at the weekend. It says citizens’ assemblies should be used to help determine the path forward.
Johnson claimed that preparations were underway for the easing of the lockdown. He said:Johnson claimed that preparations were underway for the easing of the lockdown. He said:
He did not elaborate, but he will have been referring to things like the ramping up of testing, and the introduction of contact tracing system.He did not elaborate, but he will have been referring to things like the ramping up of testing, and the introduction of contact tracing system.
He presented the government’s fight against coronavirus so far as a success. He said:He presented the government’s fight against coronavirus so far as a success. He said:
This is one interpretation of events. An alternative view is that the UK has one of the worst coronavirus death rates in the UK, perhaps because it implemented the lockdown later than other countries, and that the government has been behind the curve in implementing testing and stockpiling PPE. This is one interpretation of events. An alternative view is that the UK has one of the worst coronavirus death rates in Europe, perhaps because it implemented the lockdown later than other countries, and that the government has been behind the curve in implementing testing and stockpiling PPE.
Johnson stressed that he understood the pressure from business for the lockdown to be eased. He said:Johnson stressed that he understood the pressure from business for the lockdown to be eased. He said:
This passage seemed to be addressed in particular to Johnson’s colleagues in the Conservative party. “I still a free-market Tory,” he was telling them - while failing to offer them any actual concessions on policy.This passage seemed to be addressed in particular to Johnson’s colleagues in the Conservative party. “I still a free-market Tory,” he was telling them - while failing to offer them any actual concessions on policy.
He depicted coronavirus as a mugger. He said:He depicted coronavirus as a mugger. He said:
He thanks the public for their contribution so far. He said:He thanks the public for their contribution so far. He said:
Every ministerial public statement now contains a passage of thanks to the public like this.Every ministerial public statement now contains a passage of thanks to the public like this.
He ended by saying the UK could come out of this stronger. He said:He ended by saying the UK could come out of this stronger. He said:
Johnson speeches almost always contain passage of evidence-free utopianism like this one. At a press conference last month he said he was often accused of being “unnecessarily boosterish”. Today’s speech showed that, despite his illness, he has not really changed.Johnson speeches almost always contain passage of evidence-free utopianism like this one. At a press conference last month he said he was often accused of being “unnecessarily boosterish”. Today’s speech showed that, despite his illness, he has not really changed.
The coronavirus pandemic is likely to be followed by even more deadly and destructive disease outbreaks unless their root cause – the rampant destruction of the natural world – is rapidly halted, the world’s leading biodiversity experts have warned.The coronavirus pandemic is likely to be followed by even more deadly and destructive disease outbreaks unless their root cause – the rampant destruction of the natural world – is rapidly halted, the world’s leading biodiversity experts have warned.
“There is a single species responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic – us,” they said. “Recent pandemics are a direct consequence of human activity, particularly our global financial and economic systems that prize economic growth at any cost. We have a small window of opportunity, in overcoming the challenges of the current crisis, to avoid sowing the seeds of future ones.”“There is a single species responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic – us,” they said. “Recent pandemics are a direct consequence of human activity, particularly our global financial and economic systems that prize economic growth at any cost. We have a small window of opportunity, in overcoming the challenges of the current crisis, to avoid sowing the seeds of future ones.”
Professors Josef Settele, Sandra Díaz and Eduardo Brondizio led the most comprehensive planetary health check ever undertaken, which was published in 2019 by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). It concluded that human society was in jeopardy from the accelerating decline of the Earth’s natural life-support systems.Professors Josef Settele, Sandra Díaz and Eduardo Brondizio led the most comprehensive planetary health check ever undertaken, which was published in 2019 by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). It concluded that human society was in jeopardy from the accelerating decline of the Earth’s natural life-support systems.
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
The full text of Boris Johnson’s speech is now here, on the No 10 website.The full text of Boris Johnson’s speech is now here, on the No 10 website.
Here is the key extract from Boris Johnson’s speech. It sums up his message; although he understands why people want to relax the lockdown, now would be too soon, he says.Here is the key extract from Boris Johnson’s speech. It sums up his message; although he understands why people want to relax the lockdown, now would be too soon, he says.
(For the sake of speed, I am posting this verbatim from the No 10 transcript. As you can see, despite being one of the best-paid newspaper columnists in the UK before becoming PM, Johnson does not seem to have mastered punctuation.)(For the sake of speed, I am posting this verbatim from the No 10 transcript. As you can see, despite being one of the best-paid newspaper columnists in the UK before becoming PM, Johnson does not seem to have mastered punctuation.)
He said:He said:
Some uplifting news now. Captain Tom Moore, the 99-year-old who has raised more than £29m for the NHS by walking laps of his garden, is to be honoured with a postmark.Some uplifting news now. Captain Tom Moore, the 99-year-old who has raised more than £29m for the NHS by walking laps of his garden, is to be honoured with a postmark.
Royal Mail will stamp all letters sent between today and Friday with a message to celebrate the world war two veteran’s 100th birthday.Royal Mail will stamp all letters sent between today and Friday with a message to celebrate the world war two veteran’s 100th birthday.
Post will be marked with: “Happy 100th Birthday Captain Thomas Moore NHS fundraising hero 30th April 2020.”Post will be marked with: “Happy 100th Birthday Captain Thomas Moore NHS fundraising hero 30th April 2020.”
Moore, from Bedfordshire, has extended his challenge to completing 200 laps of his 25m-long garden after finishing the first 100 laps ahead of schedule.Moore, from Bedfordshire, has extended his challenge to completing 200 laps of his 25m-long garden after finishing the first 100 laps ahead of schedule.
On Friday, he became the oldest person ever to top the UK singles charts after his duet with Michael Ball went to number one.On Friday, he became the oldest person ever to top the UK singles charts after his duet with Michael Ball went to number one.
Their cover of You’ll Never Walk Alone has sold more than 82,000 copies, with proceeds going to the NHS Charities Together Fund.Their cover of You’ll Never Walk Alone has sold more than 82,000 copies, with proceeds going to the NHS Charities Together Fund.
An urgent alert issued to doctors has raised concerns that a serious coronavirus-related syndrome may be emerging in children in the UK.The alert states that in the past three weeks there has been a rise in children being admitted to hospital with a syndrome that has the characteristics of serious Covid-19, according to the Health Service Journal. Children have so far been deemed to be at low risk of serious ill health from the virus.An urgent alert issued to doctors has raised concerns that a serious coronavirus-related syndrome may be emerging in children in the UK.The alert states that in the past three weeks there has been a rise in children being admitted to hospital with a syndrome that has the characteristics of serious Covid-19, according to the Health Service Journal. Children have so far been deemed to be at low risk of serious ill health from the virus.
The alert states:“[In the] last three weeks, there has been an apparent rise in the number of children of all ages presenting with a multi-system inflammatory state requiring intensive care across London and also in other regions of the UK.“There is a growing concern that a [Covid-19] related inflammatory syndrome is emerging in children in the UK, or that there may be another, as yet unidentified, infectious pathogen associated with these cases.”The alert states:“[In the] last three weeks, there has been an apparent rise in the number of children of all ages presenting with a multi-system inflammatory state requiring intensive care across London and also in other regions of the UK.“There is a growing concern that a [Covid-19] related inflammatory syndrome is emerging in children in the UK, or that there may be another, as yet unidentified, infectious pathogen associated with these cases.”
There is little information about how widespread the condition is but the number of children affected is likely to be small, the HSJ reports. Some of the children have tested positive for Covid-19, and some appear to have previously had the virus, it adds.The alert, first issued to GPs in north London, also describes the cases as showing features of toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease, which causes blood vessels to become inflamed. It advised doctors to “refer children presenting with these symptoms as a matter of urgency”.The Paediatric Intensive Care Society issued a separate “urgent alert” on Sunday evening.There is little information about how widespread the condition is but the number of children affected is likely to be small, the HSJ reports. Some of the children have tested positive for Covid-19, and some appear to have previously had the virus, it adds.The alert, first issued to GPs in north London, also describes the cases as showing features of toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease, which causes blood vessels to become inflamed. It advised doctors to “refer children presenting with these symptoms as a matter of urgency”.The Paediatric Intensive Care Society issued a separate “urgent alert” on Sunday evening.
Last week, doctors at the Children’s National hospital in Washington DC said they had seen significant numbers of children admitted with coronavirus, with more than a quarter of them requiring admission, including critical care.Last week, doctors at the Children’s National hospital in Washington DC said they had seen significant numbers of children admitted with coronavirus, with more than a quarter of them requiring admission, including critical care.
Here is our colleague Kate Proctor’s story about Boris Johnson’s speech.Here is our colleague Kate Proctor’s story about Boris Johnson’s speech.
And this is how it starts.And this is how it starts.
Here is some reaction to Boris Johnson’s speech from journalists and commentators on Twitter.Here is some reaction to Boris Johnson’s speech from journalists and commentators on Twitter.
From Piers Morgan, the Good Morning Britain presenterFrom Piers Morgan, the Good Morning Britain presenter
From the BBC’s Nick RobinsonFrom the BBC’s Nick Robinson
From Good Morning Britain’s Anne AlexanderFrom Good Morning Britain’s Anne Alexander
From Michael White, the Guardian’s former political editorFrom Michael White, the Guardian’s former political editor
From HuffPost’s Paul WaughFrom HuffPost’s Paul Waugh
From our colleague Owen JonesFrom our colleague Owen Jones
From the Times’s Matt ChorleyFrom the Times’s Matt Chorley
Johnson says the government should only ease up on the lockdown when it is confident there will be no second peak.Johnson says the government should only ease up on the lockdown when it is confident there will be no second peak.
He says he wants “maximum transparency” about how the decisions to relax restrictions are taken.He says he wants “maximum transparency” about how the decisions to relax restrictions are taken.
He says he wants to involve the opposition parties as much as possible.He says he wants to involve the opposition parties as much as possible.
He says measures are in place to win “phase two”, just as the UK is winning phase one.He says measures are in place to win “phase two”, just as the UK is winning phase one.
He says if the UK can show the same sense of optimism shown by Capt Tom Moore, we will come through this.He says if the UK can show the same sense of optimism shown by Capt Tom Moore, we will come through this.
And that’s it. He has finished.And that’s it. He has finished.
We will post a full transcript, and analysis, shortly.We will post a full transcript, and analysis, shortly.
Johnson says the progress being made against the virus is why people might be tempted to ease up now.Johnson says the progress being made against the virus is why people might be tempted to ease up now.
But now is not the moment, he says.But now is not the moment, he says.
He says he understands the worries of shopkeepers, entrepreneurs, and everyone in business.He says he understands the worries of shopkeepers, entrepreneurs, and everyone in business.
He knows why they think that, without an economy, there will be no way of funding the NHS.He knows why they think that, without an economy, there will be no way of funding the NHS.
He says he shares their urgency.He says he shares their urgency.
That would risk a “disaster”, he says.That would risk a “disaster”, he says.
He says that would cause lasting damage to the economy.He says that would cause lasting damage to the economy.
And so he refuses to throw that away, he says.And so he refuses to throw that away, he says.
Johnson says the country is making progress.Johnson says the country is making progress.
There are real signs we are “passing through the peak”, he says.There are real signs we are “passing through the peak”, he says.
He says the UK has stopped the NHS being overwhelmed.He says the UK has stopped the NHS being overwhelmed.
He says that is why he can say we are beginning to turn the tide.He says that is why he can say we are beginning to turn the tide.
He says if the virus is a mugger - and he can say from personal experience it is - this is the moment when we are beginning to wrestle it to the floor.He says if the virus is a mugger - and he can say from personal experience it is - this is the moment when we are beginning to wrestle it to the floor.
Boris Johnson starts by saying he is sorry to have been away from his desk for longer than he wanted.Boris Johnson starts by saying he is sorry to have been away from his desk for longer than he wanted.
He thanks Dominic Raab for stepping up.He thanks Dominic Raab for stepping up.
But he wants to thank the public, he says.But he wants to thank the public, he says.
He says this is the biggest challenge the country has faced since the war.He says this is the biggest challenge the country has faced since the war.
A lectern has been set up outside the door to No 10.A lectern has been set up outside the door to No 10.