All this and a Prime Minister too!

She's got no credibility now. You can't be seen on TV making public broadcasts (she's the Scottish verison of Chris Whitty) telling people to do this and then you go and do the exact opposite.

(Moved from 5th April thread - Kev's post came in just as I was setting up today's thread - DEW)

Don't know about Cummings but I read that his uncle died from corona virus yesterday.

Poor man! but how misguided

Pastor Spradlin was one of those who became ill, but tested negative for Covid-19. Even as he was sick, he posted on social media about "hysteria" surrounding the virus. On the 13th of March Pastor Spradlin shared on Facebook a misleading post comparing swine flu and coronavirus deaths. It suggested that Barack Obama and Donald Trump respectively had been treated very differently by the media and that it was a politically motivated ploy to harm President Trump.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52157824

I’ve woken to the news of the Prime Minister being taken to hospital. I do hope he gets through this!  

As for the Scottish CMO, a very bad example indeed and a stupid move that has ruined her reputation. 

Agree. Since Cheltenham the government has made unforced error after unforced error. It has always been on the back foot. I know it is easy to be an "armchair critic" but the lack of experience in this government is clearly showing. It is time to bring in the best political brains from across the board. The scientific advisers also need to be reviewed. They have come in for criticism from other respected scientists and have been sending out mixed messages at best and at worst providing inconsistent advice. The UK had the chance to learn from Italy but currently it appears we are doing as badly.  

Looks like Japan is going to declare a state of emergency.

Not heard much from Japan, what's happen to bring this? I thought they had it under some kind of control?

Agree on all points Brian. Some of the scientists have come across as quasi politicians with vague and muddled answers. 

I spoke to an old mate who is a Lobby hack last night and he said that Johnson is very seriously ill and deteriorating quite rapidly. His breathing is apparently very poor.

In her defence, if she drove door to door and spoke to no-one when she was at her second home, she was unlikely to be spreading the virus and probably aware that this was the case. But the rules for which she was responsible have to take into account the people who would have treated the drive as a social occasion on reaching the destination.

Extremely worrying development from South Korea:

South Korea is investigating a number of cases in Daegu where patients have tested positive after recovering from COVID19 and testing negative.

They are trying to find out if this is reinfection or if the virus returned ( "re-activated") and what this involved.

— Laura Bicker (@BBCLBicker) April 6, 2020

 Dreadful news. I don't like the bloke, primarily because of his role in Brexit and his chequered history, but this is awful for his family and the country. I hope he pulls through. 

Very worrying. This highlights quite clearly now that we are on this for the long haul until a vaccine is produced. Those calling for the pubs to re-open and/or the economy to open up are very misguided.

I see the Mail is leading with the story about the economy.

Oh dear , that is dreadful news , I hope he wins this battle 

It's becoming quite clear that there is more than one strain of this. Doubtful you would become seriously ill again after initial infection IMO owing to partial immunity.

Exactly. Those at the daily briefing didn't tell any lies IMO but certainly looked as if they had their arm twisted to put the most favourable interpretation on the situation.

There has been no-one like Fauci who was prepared to face down Trump. And his reward? Death threats (he now has a bodyguard) and hashtags #Faucifraud

I suspect it is almost certainly due to the fact that the patients have not fully recovered from/“defeated” the virus, rather than reinfection. If it were to be the latter then it will leave a lot of people scratching their heads.

Mark if the claim of reinfection is true there is no real point of a vaccine. (I doubt it is though).

Thanks for the update Justin.

What is the process to have Rabb step in. Is their a formal process here.

If the PM is now incapacitated, number 10 need to move quickly to avoid a vacum at the heart of government.

I am no fan of BJ but I too wish him a speedy recovery, however I now am fearful that he may not pull through this.

 That's why I have been listening to Fauci more than our experts.

If infection confers no immunity at that range, then a vaccine will be almost impossible to produce. Paradoxically, if you can't become immune to it you'd be better letting everyone get it and allowing it to preferentially mutate to a weaker form. Basically, it would be a disaster. The only hope would be finding effective medicines. 

First Covid death in Belize

Exactly but beyond anecdotes and Tweets I am not sure there is any verifiable evidence (yet).