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Newspaper headlines: 'Pingdemic' hits supermarkets and NHS pay 'insult' Newspaper headlines: 'Pingdemic' hits supermarkets and NHS pay 'insult'
(about 16 hours later)
Many of the papers lead with what has been dubbed the "pingdemic", as the large number of workers being told to self-isolate by the NHS Covid app continues to affect businesses. The Telegraph reports that food industry leaders are warning supermarket supply chains are starting to fail because of the issue, with shelves empty of basic supplies in some areas.
"Pings are running out", is the Sun's take on the same story. It says supermarkets have warned the prime minister he has just 48 hours to fix the crisis or shoppers will face empty shelves.
The Daily Mail says branches of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Lidl were among the chains hit by empty shelves. The paper says businesses want key employees to be able to avoid self-isolation if they are fully vaccinated and test negative for the virus. "When will No 10 act?" it asks.
But the Times reports that ministers have confirmed supermarket workers are unlikely to be granted an exemption from isolation. Downing Street says only a "very small" number of people in critical sectors such as energy and telecommunications will be allowed to take daily tests instead, the paper adds.
The Daily Star warns of shortages of food, toilet roll and fuel, with the reports of empty supermarket shelves prompting panic-buying "The bog roll bandits are back," a sub-headline intones.
"Shelf isolation" is the headline for the Metro, which, like many papers, shows near-empty supermarket shelves in its main front page picture. It uses that wordplay to also highlight that Sir Keir Starmer is also self-isolating after one of his children tested positive for Covid Like many of the front pages, the Metro also features a new picture of a grinning Prince George, who turns eight today.
The i highlights the extent of the disruption to industries ranging from transport to the NHS, with the headline "shutdown replaces lockdown". The paper says NHS staff absences from self-isolation have risen by nearly 60% in 10 days, while police forces are downgrading non-emergency calls.
The Daily Mirror leads on the offer of a 3% pay rise for NHS workers, describing it as an "insult" which amounts to a cut in wages in real terms. "Is that really all they are worth?" the paper asks.
The Guardian says nurses are likely to reject the offer and may take industrial action in protest, while other unions also plan to ballot memberships over possible strikes. The paper says the decision to exclude the NHS's 61,000 junior doctors from the pay award is "certain to cause deep unease", noting that the group undertook a series of of strikes in 2015-16 over a proposed new contract.
The Daily Express says the EU has triggered a fresh Brexit stand-off after rejecting the UK's proposals on special arrangements for Northern Ireland. The headline "Think again EU! You must 'change course' over deal" indicates the firm stance of the Brexit-backing newspaper.
The Financial Times, which led yesterday with the latest UK/EU showdown, says the decision by Brussels to "flatly reject" the UK proposals has "inflamed tensions". It also says the situation risks souring relations between Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden.
The papers are dominated by talk of food shortages and the "pingdemic".The papers are dominated by talk of food shortages and the "pingdemic".
The Times says supermarkets have apologised for the lack of goods in their stores because of strains on their supply chains caused by staff and delivery drivers self-isolating.The Times says supermarkets have apologised for the lack of goods in their stores because of strains on their supply chains caused by staff and delivery drivers self-isolating.
It says Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury's have all admitted problems. It is described as a "perfect storm" of depot staff, shop assistants, delivery drivers and food production staff all caught up in enforced absences.It says Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury's have all admitted problems. It is described as a "perfect storm" of depot staff, shop assistants, delivery drivers and food production staff all caught up in enforced absences.
The Daily Mail pictures empty shelves and urges the prime minister to act on what it says is a "shocking toll" of the "pingdemic".The Daily Mail pictures empty shelves and urges the prime minister to act on what it says is a "shocking toll" of the "pingdemic".
It reports that shoppers around the country were unable to buy meat, vegetables and other fresh produce on Wednesday.It reports that shoppers around the country were unable to buy meat, vegetables and other fresh produce on Wednesday.
The Mail says as many as 1.7 million workers are in quarantine - and points out the prime minister, the chancellor, health secretary, and the Labour leader are among them.The Mail says as many as 1.7 million workers are in quarantine - and points out the prime minister, the chancellor, health secretary, and the Labour leader are among them.
The Sun says stores are at "tipping point" and have warned Boris Johnson he has 48 hours to fix the situation or shoppers will face much wider shortages.The Sun says stores are at "tipping point" and have warned Boris Johnson he has 48 hours to fix the situation or shoppers will face much wider shortages.
The Metro captures the story with its headline "shelf isolation".The Metro captures the story with its headline "shelf isolation".
The i examines the much wider impact of infections and work absences, including for retail, transport, tourism and manufacturing.The i examines the much wider impact of infections and work absences, including for retail, transport, tourism and manufacturing.
It says NHS staff absences have risen nearly 60% in 10 days and that figures suggest disruption will leap in the next fortnight. It also claims the police force is running on "overtime and goodwill", with non-emergency calls downgraded.It says NHS staff absences have risen nearly 60% in 10 days and that figures suggest disruption will leap in the next fortnight. It also claims the police force is running on "overtime and goodwill", with non-emergency calls downgraded.
It adds that tourism bosses are warning they may have to close some museums, swimming pools and heritage sites.It adds that tourism bosses are warning they may have to close some museums, swimming pools and heritage sites.
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The Daily Mirror leads on the 3% pay rise for NHS staff, with its front page asking: "Is that all they are worth?"The Daily Mirror leads on the 3% pay rise for NHS staff, with its front page asking: "Is that all they are worth?"
Its main article describes "exhausted medics facing a fresh insult" after a year of "immense toil and sacrifice". Its Voice of the Mirror column calls health staff "saints in scrubs" and argues they deserve better.Its main article describes "exhausted medics facing a fresh insult" after a year of "immense toil and sacrifice". Its Voice of the Mirror column calls health staff "saints in scrubs" and argues they deserve better.
The Guardian reports that nurses are likely to reject the award as too low and are considering strike action.The Guardian reports that nurses are likely to reject the award as too low and are considering strike action.
It says other health unions will also ballot members over possible industrial action. Ministers stressed they have accepted, in full, the recommendations of two independent pay review bodies.It says other health unions will also ballot members over possible industrial action. Ministers stressed they have accepted, in full, the recommendations of two independent pay review bodies.
Nurses called for a bigger pay increase during a protest outside Parliament on WednesdayNurses called for a bigger pay increase during a protest outside Parliament on Wednesday
An investigation by the Times says hundreds of registered sex offenders have changed their identity to avoid revealing their criminal history - putting children at risk of serious harm.An investigation by the Times says hundreds of registered sex offenders have changed their identity to avoid revealing their criminal history - putting children at risk of serious harm.
The paper says in the most serious cases men barred for life from working with children had used their new name to gain employment in schools and homes.The paper says in the most serious cases men barred for life from working with children had used their new name to gain employment in schools and homes.
Boris Johnson's plans for vaccine passports are facing collapse, according to the Daily Telegraph. It reports that Labour has indicated it would oppose the measure for everyday access to venues as "costly, open to fraud and impractical".Boris Johnson's plans for vaccine passports are facing collapse, according to the Daily Telegraph. It reports that Labour has indicated it would oppose the measure for everyday access to venues as "costly, open to fraud and impractical".
The Telegraph says at least 42 Conservative MPs are opposed to Covid certificates for general use - and a rebellion on that scale could be enough to stop it being passed in the Commons.The Telegraph says at least 42 Conservative MPs are opposed to Covid certificates for general use - and a rebellion on that scale could be enough to stop it being passed in the Commons.
And many of the papers carry a photo of the smiling Prince George on his eighth birthday.And many of the papers carry a photo of the smiling Prince George on his eighth birthday.
Though some are in close-up, in wider shots he is sitting on the bonnet of a Land Rover - a vehicle loved by his great-grandfather, Prince Phillip. The Sun declares him "prince charming".Though some are in close-up, in wider shots he is sitting on the bonnet of a Land Rover - a vehicle loved by his great-grandfather, Prince Phillip. The Sun declares him "prince charming".
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