Boris Johnson to make statement to country from Downing Street this morning.

Originally Posted by: Heavy Weather 2013 

 Excellent news for two reasons: 1) he is clearly a lot better 2) the government needs to provide clarification because in the last week the messaging has increasingly been shrouded by fog

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

 Excellent news for two reasons: 1) he is clearly a lot better 2) the government needs to provide clarification because in the last week the messaging has increasingly been shrouded by fog

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

There would seem to be a correlation between people who think the infection rate is currently over 50% and those who dispute global warming and support Brexit. I make no judgement on them as individuals. However, whilst Brexit and global warming can be argued about over a period of years we can not afford to be side-tracked with corona virus because the consequences could be felt in weeks or months. Therefore, I continue to think antibody testing is urgently required despite its current shortcomings. It's worth remembering the government is offering self swabbing antigen tests already. They are also problematic and have their shortcomings for different reasons. 

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

What fog? The next review has to be by 7/5. What's unclear about that?

Originally Posted by: westv 

Yes. It’s all got very muddy and unclear. The papers say one thing and the government just say we are guided by the science. 

We need clarity today.

Originally Posted by: Heavy Weather 2013 

You have suddenly business reopening as ‘essential’ when two weeks ago they didn’t deem themselves essential yet the rules of the lockdown haven’t changed as far as I aware. Traffic has increased and the Lockdwon appears to crumbling. It’s very unclear

Originally Posted by: Heavy Weather 2013 

Lectern out getting an outing in Downing Street

Originally Posted by: Gavin D 

I suspect he will just say what has been said already. 

Originally Posted by: westv 

The Third World and COVID-19 - from the BBC Website:

"Singapore is seeing a massive spike in coronavirus infections, mainly among migrant workers from Bangladesh and India.

With thousands of them testing positive, mostly with mild or no symptoms, authorities are scrambling to build quarantine facilities to house them."

• there are two factors of note in this report:

1. Thousands of migrant workers from Bangladesh and India testing positive confirms the impression of massive under-reporting and under-testing in those countries.


2. That deaths and hospitalisation rates across the Third World are comparatively low is noteworthy. It is apparent that under-reporting is as endemic as the virus across many regions, including the Indian Sub-Continent and Africa, so why are death rates low? All we can do is speculate as follows: birth rates are very high so the demographics are markedly different from European populations - we know young people are less affected by COVID-19 than old people. Obesity is a factor and obesity is a rich country problem on the whole. General exposure to pathogens - from birth, people in poor countries are exposed to far more pathogens than people in pampered rich countries - it is likely that leads to a more robust immune system more capable of dealing even with novel pathogens like COVID-19. Finally, lack of reporting will extend to death certificates too, so it is very likely that many COVID-19 deaths are not being reported as such.

Anybody care to add to the above?

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

I would suggest it is his "maximum impact" moment therefore expect something of substance rather than just "thank you thank you our precious NHS"

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

Before any formal meetings have taken place? I’m not sure that makes much sense TBH.

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 

I would suggest it is his "maximum impact" moment, therefore expect something of substance rather than just "thank you thank you our precious NHS"

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

https://www.hsj.co.uk/acute-care/exclusive-national-alert-as-coronavirus-related-condition-may-be-emerging-in-children/7027496.article
A serious coronavirus-related syndrome may be emerging in the UK, according to an “urgent alert” issued to doctors, following a rise in cases in the last two to three weeks, HSJ has learned.

An alert to GPs and seen by HSJ says that in the “last three weeks, there has been an apparent rise in the number of children of all ages presenting with a multisystem inflammatory state requiring intensive care across London and also in other regions of the UK”.

Originally Posted by: Ulric 

There's a lot of articles that create a sense of alarm, citing some 'emerging trend' of worrying development. 

I'm not disputing any of these, but we also have the fact that for the vast majority of people who catch CV19, symptoms vary from invisible to mild to a week or so of being laid low by a scary virus before recovering. 

It's difficult to maintain a sense of perspective, although there's still that Russian Roulette element. 

I do wonder if this drip-feeding of variations of the message that anyone who catches this could be unlucky and die, is aimed at keeping that fear factor high in order to keep most people adhering to the restrictions. 

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

I don’t think it’ll be anything new or any type of revelation. 

I think he’ll say the lockdown needs to continue to be adhered to, this is a crucial time, etc etc.

May make some reference to a date at which the exit strategy will be published, maybe after this three week period is up? 

Obviously I could be totally wrong. :D 

Originally Posted by: Joe Bloggs 

I think mention of Brexiteers and Remainers should be banned from this thread, unless and until there's a reliable published survey linking opinions over Europe with opinions on coronavirus. Bringing in Euro attitudes just confuses the issue and opens up old antipathies.

Originally Posted by: DEW 

What fog? The next review has to be by 7/5. What's unclear about that?

Originally Posted by: westv 

I disagree. It is relevant. The pressure to lift restrictions is coming from the likes of Duncan Smith and other Tory Brexiters.

I find this constant pressure to ban, to delete and to warn rather over the top, to be frank.

We are adults and can handle a bit of back and forth. 

Originally Posted by: Justin W