UK govt coronavirus action plan

[Cwenthryth]

Published today, just watched the press conference with the Chief Medical & Scientific Officers. Going to digest the report now, but thought I’d post it here to share & have somewhere to discuss what’s in it

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/869827/Coronavirus_action_plan_-_a_guide_to_what_you_can_expect_across_the_UK.pdf

Thanks Cwen

Thank you.

I've read the highlights on the BBC, & it strikes me that there is no specific advice for the more vulnerable.

It's all very well talking about the 'vast majority', but for those of us with significant health problems (I have cancer & COPD) who also work and have children: where is the advice for us?

The government really should be clear about this: otherwise we run the risk of being penalised by employers for trying to protect our own health.

I guess there literally might not be any specific advice for higher-risk groups atm? The evidence base may not yet exist, it’s all so new. And if we are still in ‘containment’ rather than ‘delay/mitigate’ then its not yet absolutely inevitable that there will be widespread outbreak. Perhaps if/once we move to delay/mitigate there may be more specific advice.

Matt Hancock is taking questions in the HoC atm, it’s live on BBC News channel.

After spending so much of 2019 utterly despondent at the state of UK politics and standard of debate in the HoC, this is actually really refreshing. Opposition asking pertinent questions, minister responding (mostly) appropriately, being fairly clear, and not bullshitting too much when there isn’t an answer (yet).

In the Plan at 4.48

Mitigate phase - next steps
4.48 As and when the disease moves into different phases, for example if transmission of the virus becomes established in the UK population, the nature and scale of the response will change. The chief focus will be to provide essential services, helping those most at risk to access the right treatment. This means that:
• there will be further publicity of advice to individuals about protecting themselves and others

I think I take that as we’re not yet at the stage when vulnerable groups need to take any different active from the general population

4.52 The UK’s health and social care systems will start to implement their business continuity plans, which cover:
• continuing to minimise the risk of infection to patients and those receiving care
• further identification of vulnerable persons to be supported
• arrangements for the continuation of essential services, to maintain normal business for as many people as possible for as long as possible

So identification of vulnerable people is in the plans somewhere but at a later stage - no idea if the ‘business continuity plans’ referred to here are publically available anywhere.

This is all really helpful, Cwenthrth, thanks

@Cwenthryth, the WHO have issued advice to the over 60s.

Do you have a link Felicity?

I’ve looked on www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 - there’s a lot of info there but haven’t found any specific advice for over-60s that is different from the general population

Director General tweeted advice which has since been widely reported.

There is even a thread on here about the advice on travel.

By the way I just discovered cold water and soap is effective at washing off the virus, I'm not on facebook so i' ll have to just share it here, lol.

Yup just washing your hands properly is enough! Dilution is the solution to pollution (an old colleague used to say)

Do you have a link to this reported advice for over 60s? All I can find on WHO & Tedros Ghebreyesus’ Twitter feeds is a link that leads to...
It is prudent for travellers who are sick to delay or avoid travel to affected areas, in particular for elderly travellers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions. twitter.com/who/status/1234818269753806849?s=21

Going to see if the WHO press conference is up anywhere.

He tweeted on 29th March about avoiding crowded areas if over 60 or with pre-existing conditions if there is a risk of coming in contact with SARS CoV 2 virus ( that's why its not yet government advice!)

Also Dr Margaret Harris of WHO gave further advice on travel.

So the info is there just not applicable to UK yet.

If you go on this thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3835516-AIBU-to-cancel-holiday

You will see the tweet. I've also linked to a news story. Every major news outlet has written about the advice for over 60s.

The head of the World Health Organisation has urged everyone over the age of 60 to avoid crowded areas including trains, buses and even supermarkets to prevent catching coronavirus.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also urged people in this age group to skip routine appointments at GP surgeries and in hospitals.

(No mention of pre-existing conditions though, a blanket message for ALL 60+)

The tweet was 29th of February, of course.

There was a mention of those under 60 with certain pre-existing conditions.

Anyone concerned should do a search online and make their own judgement.

UK is criticised for approach by WHO. There is no coordination across the world. Each country is scrabbling to stock lab tests, gloves and medical supplies. WHO needs to coordinate otherwise those with greatest political influence or money steal from rest of the world. #wouldtestifusaandeuropehadnotbulkpurchsedsupplies #keepingface #livethyneighbour #coronaviruseachforthereown