Does anyone think Boris is right?

[Emcont]

I'm not saying I do. But I'm curious to see if anyone agrees with the strategy they're going for as most of what I'm reading is against.

This virus is alive.....like chicken pox for example. So it WILL pop back to visit in the future, say winter time. Its not going to disappear just because we all stay in. At least not till a vaccine is made and available. It takes a long time to eradicate a disease.

*Yes - I do.

It isn’t a question of ‘Boris’ being right - these decisions are being taken by COBRA/SAGE. He’s fronting them because he is the Prime Minister*

I agree.

I'd the forecast in other countries is as likely as that here then it won't matter. Most of us will get it and some of us will die.

Managing that is a bit like herding cats....

We don't know which of the management theories will turn out better than any other... Or if nothing will make a substantial difference!

Manage your own response, follow the guidelines and keep your fingers crossed you stay healthy. It's a flu pandemic and history tells us they hit hard...

So that people can understand

Please make sure you read it all and watch the simulations.

www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/

Yes

I think it is pretty twisted to think Boris wants people to die. Twisted and wrong.

Boris is already obsessed with his legacy. No, he does not want to preside over death on a personal or political level. Very obviously.

As people have said above, COBRA is cross-party and includes the devolved government leaders. That is why there has been such limited official opposition. They all have the same facts.

Yes whoever is the face of the government of this time will be just that. Like a front lead singer of a band. He doesnt make all the decsions alone. Theres a group with/behind him. Hes just the front of that taking the flack (rightly or wrongly).

We don't know which of the management theories will turn out better than any other... Or if nothing will make a substantial difference!

We do, actually. There are already countries with different approaches and distinct outcomes.

Italy was the UK a few weeks ago.

What about the non-elderly at-risk groups who can't work from home? Is there any plan to protect their health?

Isolating over 70's still leaves an awful lot of people vulnerable to serious illness, disability and death, especially if they are part of the 'herd immunity experiment' in schools.

I think it’s a reasonable strategy, it’s not without risk but then neither are the other options. I think it’s right that different strategies are tried so we have more information/data for future pandemics.

The WHO in my opinion should not have played down the situation in January- February. I no longer trust it as an organisation.

I don't thin kit's his plan. I don't trust him. I do trust the scientists. I recognise I don't know enough about anything to judge.
I do think we are in for a rough ride, whatever happens.

yes @Lweji that post explains it!!! thats what the media needs to share!!!!!

That is very short term though. We have no idea about the long term issues, especially if you can contract it twice!

The WHO in my opinion should not have played down the situation in January- February.

But you're ok with Boris doing it?

No because the time to act should be now. Estimates that 15000 have been infected and many probably are not aware. This virus spreads so easily and quickly that very soon the NHS will be overwhelmed and we already know they are near to max capacity in icu/critical care. They continue to say large gatherings are ok and are not testing those who show symptoms.

Yes

His plan will hopefully prevent a second peak which in Spanish flu killed more than the first

If Italy isolated the elderly their death rate may have been much lower

It's the least bad option for the current UK situation. The situation is fluid and things will change. I think the CMO is doing a sterling job.
I think a lot of people are taking a strange pleasure in getting hysterical on social media. There are suddenly a whole host of "google scientists" who seem to confuse their ability to read papers on the internet with professional experience.
I welcome the open letter from scientists criticising the government's actions as it will move the debate and subsequent action forward but I am aware that a lot of people who signed that letter aren't epidemiologists, virologists or behavioural scientists. This is a complex issue and the behaviour of the virus must be balanced with the likely behaviour of the population and vice versa.

I do

People, be aware that the true number of people infected in the UK is massively underestimated in the official numbers.

Btw, I'm trained in and teach molecular epidemiology.

No. He’s worried about the economy tanking. He’s worried about his rich mates. We’re collateral damage.

We will have around 15k people infected right now.

yes the problem is people will not conform to a shut down .

@MrsL2016

Why do you trust Boris Johnson's Science expert ( who may or may not have a vested interest in protecting Boris' interests) compared to advice the WHO, many other European experts and also the HUNDREDS of UK based scientists who have written to BJ about the weakness of this 'plan'.

I dont like Boris (I dont like any of the politicians!), but I wouldnt want to be in his shoes now for toffee!! The government behind/with him in the meetings are having to make awfully huge decsisions knowing that they have to balance economy/health and well being of people. As a pp said rightly the first wave of spanish flu wasnt as bad as the 2nd. Thats what the idea of the flattened curve is about. To stop CV coming back even worse!!