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UK coronavirus live: Johnson U-turns on masks as experts fear up to 120,000 Covid-19 winter deaths UK coronavirus live: Johnson U-turns on masks as experts fear up to 120,000 Covid-19 winter deaths
(32 minutes later)
Boris Johnson announces face coverings are to be mandatory in shops from 24 July with £100 fines for non-complianceBoris Johnson announces face coverings are to be mandatory in shops from 24 July with £100 fines for non-compliance
Black workers’ deaths are going “unmeasured and unmanaged” in the pandemic according to Unison, Scotland’s largest union.
The claim is made in response the National Records of Scotland (NRS) analysis of Covid-19 deaths by ethnic group, and signals continuing frustration about data recording on the impact of coronavirus on BAME communities.
As in England and Wales, NRS found a heightened Covid-19 risk for Asian and Chinese communities. However, NRS were unable to make any finding in relation to Black, African or African-Carribean people in Scotland due to weaknesses in data recording.
The Unison analysis argues:
National organiser Peter Hunter told the Guardian:
Unison is calling on all organisations, including private contractors delivering public services, to be compelled to publish coronavirus race equality plans as a matter of urgency and longer term wants the Scottish government to address the issue of poor quality data on Scotland’s BAME communities. Last week the Guardian reported on similar calls about data on the Irish community in Scotland.
Labour has called on the government to release better data to help councils combat coronavirus.
The shadow health minister, Justin Madders, said:
In a letter to Baroness Harding, who leads the government’s testing and tracing programme, Madders sets out four specific requests:
Doctors in France have reported what they believe to be the first proven case of Covid-19 being passed on from a pregnant woman to her baby in the womb.
The newborn boy developed inflammation in the brain within days of being born, a condition brought on after the virus crossed the placenta and established an infection prior to birth. He has since made a good recovery.
The case study, published in Nature Communications, follows the birth of a number of babies with Covid-19 who doctors suspect contracted the virus in the womb. Until now, they have not been able to rule out the possibility that the babies were infected during or soon after delivery.
“Unfortunately there is no doubt about the transmission in this case,” said Daniele De Luca, medical director of paediatrics and neonatal critical care at the Antoine Béclère hospital in Paris.
The British economy returned to growth more slowly than expected in May as coronavirus lockdown restrictions were gradually relaxed after the sharpest plunge on record a month earlier.
The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 1.8% in May as the economy staged a modest recovery from April, when GDP crashed by a fifth during the first full month of lockdown.
After the biggest collapse in activity since records began, economists had expected some recovery in activity in May as the government eased restrictions on movement. However, the bounce back was weaker than growth of 5.5% forecast by City economists.
London’s Natural History Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Science Museum will all reopen in August, PA Media reports.London’s Natural History Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Science Museum will all reopen in August, PA Media reports.
London’s South Kensington museum district - usually a tourist and school holiday hotspot - has been closed since March.London’s South Kensington museum district - usually a tourist and school holiday hotspot - has been closed since March.
The three institutions held a joint virtual event to announce their plans to reopen. The Natural History Museum will reopen on 5 August, the V&A on 6 August, and the Science Museum on 19 August.The three institutions held a joint virtual event to announce their plans to reopen. The Natural History Museum will reopen on 5 August, the V&A on 6 August, and the Science Museum on 19 August.
V&A director Tristram Hunt said:
The Office for Budget Responsibility doesn’t believe a V-shaped recovery is likely.The Office for Budget Responsibility doesn’t believe a V-shaped recovery is likely.
Its new central forecast is that the UK economy won’t return to its pre-crisis levels until the end of 2022. In other words, it would take more than two years to recover the output lost in March and April.Its new central forecast is that the UK economy won’t return to its pre-crisis levels until the end of 2022. In other words, it would take more than two years to recover the output lost in March and April.
But the OBR also says the pace of the recovery is “highly uncertain”.But the OBR also says the pace of the recovery is “highly uncertain”.
It depends on several factors: the amount of scarring suffered by the economy, such as unemployment; whether (and when) effective vaccines and other treatments to crush Covid-19 are developed; how fast the lockdown is lifted; and whether government action to protect the economy works.It depends on several factors: the amount of scarring suffered by the economy, such as unemployment; whether (and when) effective vaccines and other treatments to crush Covid-19 are developed; how fast the lockdown is lifted; and whether government action to protect the economy works.
There’s more on Business live blog:There’s more on Business live blog:
Making face coverings mandatory in shops, should help reduce the spread of the virus, according to Keith Neal, emeritus professor of the epidemiology of infectious diseases, at the University of Nottingham.Making face coverings mandatory in shops, should help reduce the spread of the virus, according to Keith Neal, emeritus professor of the epidemiology of infectious diseases, at the University of Nottingham.
Prof Neal said:Prof Neal said:
Opposition MPs have rounded on government for the delay and muddle over face coverings.Opposition MPs have rounded on government for the delay and muddle over face coverings.
The number of deaths in England and Wales when Covid-19 was citing on the death certificate has exceeded 50,000 according to the latest weekly statistics from the ONS.The number of deaths in England and Wales when Covid-19 was citing on the death certificate has exceeded 50,000 according to the latest weekly statistics from the ONS.
A total of 50,548 deaths involving coronavirus were registered in England and Wales between 28 December 2019 and 3 July 2020, it said.A total of 50,548 deaths involving coronavirus were registered in England and Wales between 28 December 2019 and 3 July 2020, it said.
Only two days ago, the cabinet office secretary, Michael Gove, appeared to rule out compulsory face coverings in shops.Only two days ago, the cabinet office secretary, Michael Gove, appeared to rule out compulsory face coverings in shops.
Speaking on the the BBC’s Andrew Marr show he said:Speaking on the the BBC’s Andrew Marr show he said:
The Metropolitan Police Federation has warned that requiring the public to wear face masks in shops will be almost impossible for police to enforce.The Metropolitan Police Federation has warned that requiring the public to wear face masks in shops will be almost impossible for police to enforce.
Its chairman, Ken Marsh, told Today:Its chairman, Ken Marsh, told Today:
Politico’s Charlie Cooper wonders whether Matt Hancock will mask up when he announces the mandatory face coverings measures in the Commons this afternoon.Politico’s Charlie Cooper wonders whether Matt Hancock will mask up when he announces the mandatory face coverings measures in the Commons this afternoon.
Former Tory party leader, Iain Duncan Smith, has insisted that Huawei’s kit should be stripped from UK telecommunication networks within the lifetime of this parliament.Former Tory party leader, Iain Duncan Smith, has insisted that Huawei’s kit should be stripped from UK telecommunication networks within the lifetime of this parliament.
Speaking to Sky News, Duncan Smith, said he was prepared to fight the government on the issue if it proposed a longer time frame for phasing out the Chinese company.Speaking to Sky News, Duncan Smith, said he was prepared to fight the government on the issue if it proposed a longer time frame for phasing out the Chinese company.
He said:He said:
China’s ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, has warned the UK against trampling on the basic norms of international relations over Huawei.China’s ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, has warned the UK against trampling on the basic norms of international relations over Huawei.
Asked about the comments, Duncan Smith said:Asked about the comments, Duncan Smith said:
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has welcomed government’s U-turn on making face coverings mandatory in shops in England.The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has welcomed government’s U-turn on making face coverings mandatory in shops in England.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said the evidence from experts was the measure could make a “massive difference” in helping to tackle coronavirus.Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said the evidence from experts was the measure could make a “massive difference” in helping to tackle coronavirus.
He said:He said:
Khan argued that “Londoners by and large will follow the rules” on wearing face coverings inside shops. He said police officers “may be around”, but added:Khan argued that “Londoners by and large will follow the rules” on wearing face coverings inside shops. He said police officers “may be around”, but added:
He gave a similar message to Sky News:He gave a similar message to Sky News:
The environment secretary, George Eustice, has defended the delay to ordering the mandatory use of face coverings in shops in England.The environment secretary, George Eustice, has defended the delay to ordering the mandatory use of face coverings in shops in England.
He told Sky News:He told Sky News:
Eustice said the mandatory use of face masks in England would apply to all shops, but not pubs and restaurants, as he appeared to contradict guidance for hairdressers.Eustice said the mandatory use of face masks in England would apply to all shops, but not pubs and restaurants, as he appeared to contradict guidance for hairdressers.
“Hairdressers, you’ve always required a mask to go to,” he told Sky News. But the government guidance says: “There is no requirement for the client to wear any additional protection such as a mask or face covering, when the practitioner is wearing a visor.”“Hairdressers, you’ve always required a mask to go to,” he told Sky News. But the government guidance says: “There is no requirement for the client to wear any additional protection such as a mask or face covering, when the practitioner is wearing a visor.”
Eustice added:Eustice added:
Welcome to our UK coronavirus live blog, where we’ll try to keep up with the government’s changing stance on two big issues: face coverings and Huawei.Welcome to our UK coronavirus live blog, where we’ll try to keep up with the government’s changing stance on two big issues: face coverings and Huawei.
Last night, Boris Johnson announced masks will be mandatory in shops from the end of next week following months of opposition to the idea and days of mixed messages from ministers.Last night, Boris Johnson announced masks will be mandatory in shops from the end of next week following months of opposition to the idea and days of mixed messages from ministers.
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, is expected to give details of how the policy will be implemented, with fines of up to £100 for for non-compliance expected.The health secretary, Matt Hancock, is expected to give details of how the policy will be implemented, with fines of up to £100 for for non-compliance expected.
Later today, Johnson is also poised to unveil a climbdown on the role of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei in the UK’s 5G and broadband network.Later today, Johnson is also poised to unveil a climbdown on the role of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei in the UK’s 5G and broadband network.
But rebel MPs on the issue may not be placated. They had wanted ministers to ban the purchase of new Huawei kit in the next 12 months across Britain’s phone networks, and to eliminate it entirely by 2026.But rebel MPs on the issue may not be placated. They had wanted ministers to ban the purchase of new Huawei kit in the next 12 months across Britain’s phone networks, and to eliminate it entirely by 2026.
Instead, Johnson is expected to ban new Huawei kit from January, but only offer to remove 5G Huawei kit from 2027 while other 3G and 4G mobile equipment would remain in place until the 2030s.Instead, Johnson is expected to ban new Huawei kit from January, but only offer to remove 5G Huawei kit from 2027 while other 3G and 4G mobile equipment would remain in place until the 2030s.
Experts have also warned the UK to start “intense preparations” for a second wave of coronavirus that has the potential to kill as many as 120,000 hospital patients in a worst-case scenario.Experts have also warned the UK to start “intense preparations” for a second wave of coronavirus that has the potential to kill as many as 120,000 hospital patients in a worst-case scenario.
Senior doctors and scientists convened by the Academy of Medical Sciences said that, without urgent action, a resurgence of cases this winter could overwhelm the NHS when services are already stretched because of flu and other seasonal pressures.Senior doctors and scientists convened by the Academy of Medical Sciences said that, without urgent action, a resurgence of cases this winter could overwhelm the NHS when services are already stretched because of flu and other seasonal pressures.
The experts were commissioned by Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, to model a “reasonable worst-case scenario” for Covid-19 this winter. Their report, which has been shared with ministers and local health authorities, calls for immediate efforts to prepare for a second wave.The experts were commissioned by Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, to model a “reasonable worst-case scenario” for Covid-19 this winter. Their report, which has been shared with ministers and local health authorities, calls for immediate efforts to prepare for a second wave.