Jeremy Hunt looks absolutely terrified

[MidsummerMeadow]

Just watched this and I’m even more concerned now. FFS.

I have heard it being discussed that the countries that have 'nipped it in the bud' are merely just delaying it a bit longer.

This is what has worried me enormously. As

• okay so what is the problem with delaying it longer? More time, information, possible treatments, preparedness. I get the winter spike but that could be controlled, if they controlled it once they can again
• it is a massive gamble with people’s lives if that is wrong, as it is playing off more lives lost now for possible lost later!

They have decided the need for herd immunity and the long term protection of society as a whole is more important than protecting vulnerable people now.

Spot on too. Very well articulated.

I get that this is an incredibly tough call. I believe those modeling this are genuine, intelligent and capable. However there seems to be no or little real robust ‘peer review or checking’ - assumptions like ‘people will get fed up’ or ‘kids will just play out’ are not evidence based.

As a generation, we're often criticised for NOT letting our kids play out - now suddenly, when it suits the govt to do nothing, we're all accused of letting them rampage around? Even if some do, how is that more damaging than all of them being at the germ-fest that is a school?

I think he looks shocked and angry. What a depressing situation Bozo has decided to put this country in.

Singapore here. Schools have not closed but pupils are frequently temperature checked and following good hygiene but all trips and assembly cancelled. Many staff working from home. Large gatherings cancelled. Govt providing daily updates and a clear picture of how the virus has passed between 'cases'. Infected individuals financially compensated and anyone who breaks protocol, including employers who pressurised staff, are penalised and in some cases deported. We are temperature checked before entering restaurants, shops etc and have to provide contact details for contact tracing in many circumstances. It's restrictive but we are getting on with it-granted a smaller population than the UK but it's very densely populated and transient. I think these measures have worked to help control the spread and I was horrified to hear that Cheltenham Cup, Liverpool match etc with Madrid fans have gone ahead. I think the UK govt is putting its citizens at risk and the NHS under unnecessary pressure.

Wow. I thought I was petty un shockable but here i am agreeing with Jeremy hunt.

It might be political. But it did seem honest. Much more honest than BJ. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up running for leadership. I feel a vote of no confidence is a possibility for BJ if this virus ends up really hitting the UK especially hard.

He seemed 100% more believable than the muppets on Question Time who just kept repeating "we are listening to the science". That statement is like the new "we need to get brexit done".

It's so patronising.

What is the science and why is our science any different than the science they have in Ireland?

My eight year old is no scientist but she would argue the legs off any scientist who said letting a plane full of football fans from a known infected area was a good idea.

Never thought I'd see the day when I had to argue AGAINST believing in science. It's madness.

Also I do wonder if all the scientists are just shaking their head at each other like "we never said that".

I predict this will all go tits up and these unknown scientists will be the scapegoat.

"Honest, we were just listening to the science"

@S0upertrooper I’ve been impressed with Singapore. How is the morale?

The UK would say - but you are just putting off the inevitable! What would you say to that?

@theflushedzebra
Exactly there is a world of difference between going to school - airless inside building close together, 100s of kids. And a few kids playing outside. Transmission risk totally different.

That was a red flag to me when chief scientific advisor spoke. Much seemed very well considered. But that statement of why they wouldn’t shut schools... and the statement that people would get fed up... and then immunity, right time and second winter wave. Wtf?! None have good science behind them that I know of. And if there is, where is it?

MNs across the board now agreeing with Jeremy Hunt as it suits their narrative🧐

Between Jeremy Hunt - and Boris - both tory shafters - what's the difference? One could say the same if we agreed with Boris.

Perhaps we just agree with a valid pov on controlling a pandemic? And how early action is essental.

@raybentos are you suggesting people should disagree with sense because... spite? 🤔

If Hitler told me the sky was blue, I'd have to agree with him.

Obviously that has massive and horrific unthinkable implications for vulnerable groups, but perhaps the thinking is that on a population level that's what is naturally supposed to happen]

They're treating us like fucking cattle. But what can we expect from the Bullingdon Club boys like Boris?

I really hope people stop voting for these fuckers now the contempt they hold us in is so clear.

Shame we don't have a credible opposition. Where the fuck are they btw?

At least Jeremy Corbyn, for all his faults (and there are many) is it least, at heart, trying to improve things for people. But he, and his party, need to speak out FFS.

Boris just stood on a platform and said - lots of us are going to die and he's going to do fuck all to stop it.

I'm still raging. I can't believe this is where we are.

So what now? What can we do except wish a plague on his house first?

As others have said, Jeremy Hunt always looks like that. Next...

Did you listen to what he actually said, Dongdingdong?

@Freezingold moral is good I think mainly because the govt have been very transparent, we get daily WhatsApp updates and the delivery by the PM has been confident and informed. It's a different culture to Europe and folk tend to be more compliant which has probably helped and they have knocked fake news on the head.
I haven't heard anything about delaying an inevitable escalation, I guess that's possible as it's an unknown virus at the moment but I think trying to stop it might work and is worth a try.

"I fought for more money for the NHS when I was health secretary". Sure, Jeremy. Arsehole.

Imagine the pressure of being part of a decision making process that affects so many people, of course he is scared and nervous, they are human. Most (maybe all?) pandemics have a far worse second wave, some are predicting this will hit next year. Unless the entire globe stays isolated forever maybe there's something in our approach.

Okay read it properly and saw it was Hunt, he has a cheek after destroying the NHS really doesn't he.

I think BJ has just cherry picked the bits of science he wants to listen to and that fit his narrative. That these decisions do not seem to be following the successes of other countries is what concerns me. We seem to be replicating failures and prioritising the economy. At a time when our infrastructure is incredibly fragile due to many years of austerity policies. Not just the NHS being so poorly funded (no thanks to Jeremy hunt) but also so many people living in poverty. We can neither cope with people getting sick in large numbers or social distancing measures as things stand.

The prediction for my hospital i we need 400 ITU beds that is one hospital in the Midlands - ffs there is no health care system in the world that has enough of anything to cope with this.

in normal life we do not need 400ITU beds -this is unprecedented in our lives and no one ever expected this - does not matter who is in power no govt anywhere in the world has resourced for this

We have empty nursing posts and medical post because of Brexit - people have left in droves this started happening ages ago.

I don't mind the coming peak being delayed and possibly another peak as it gives time to prepare, train, plan and possibly find effective treatments.

Mind you, as DH says, none of the advice and planning is for sensible people, it's for the dicks who can't possibly miss out on a social occasion because "what's the harm?".

A longer time could also give them more time to help vulnerable people and those suffering poverty or loss of income due to not being able to work.