Matt Hancock on Andrew Marr

[BlackSwan]

He sounds completely sensible and on the ball. Relieved we have a competent character at the helm.

Except that the fact that many, many people care for others at home seems to have completely escaped him.

What's your suggestion then NewName? Try to be realistic.

That is not a description that people who have worked with MH would recognise!

It isn't in theory a bad principle but that doesn't mean it will translate into real life.

In our family one over 70 works in a school, another provides childcare so their dc can work, another has regular home visits from informal carers etc.

A four month exclusion period wouldn't be feasible for any of these people.

Elderly people are the most at risk - they will be more likely to require intensive care and sadly, more likely to die. Isn't it a better option to 'lock down' this section of the community, provide them with support (agree this has to be co-ordinated not just relying on the good will of the community) and leave the rest of the country open for business? Those under 70 will still get ill, and many will require hospitalisation, but there will be less of a strain on the health service, and these people are more likely to recover. It's pretty brutal, but we can't live in a bubble.

Ha ha ha - good one, OP.

I almost thought you were serious there!

He sounds and looks like a frightened child. I wouldn't trust him to run a bath let alone a health service in the middle of a pandemic.

You're having a laugh.

Bojo his boss said the other day that he wants retired health carers to volunteer to help in hospitals
So which is it quarantine all those retired trained professionals with a wealth of experience or ask them to volunteer help?

He sounds and looks like a frightened child. I wouldn't trust him to run a bath let alone a health service in the middle of a pandemic

This

He's out of his depth. And it shows.

I just can't get my head around this in practice. Do the government think everyone over 70 lives alone? What about the other group that are at risk? They aren't all 70. It's bizarre. Our government clearly have no idea what to do. Last week it was herd immunity, today it's quarantine of the elderly. What every next

I thought he sounded calm and reassured. Now is the time to abandon your political allegiances children and come together as a nation.

I can't stand the Tories... Hancock came across well to me. He was very on top of his brief and had a good understanding of the science. I think he looks like he feels sick because he understands what is happening and probably will happen.

I am not a Tory but I think he came across as well-meaning and genuinely trying to do his best in this horrendous situation. No one would want to be in his shoes. I hope he is getting enough sleep - he must be worried sick.

I thought he sounded calm and reassured.

So do people on high doses of anti anxiety medication.

Balance of probabilities, I know where my money would be.

He had a look of someone making up as he went along with a nagging fear that thinking it through first might have been a better idea.

Like I said, stop acting like petulant children and get behind the government and its science advisors.

You didn’t say that.

Totally agree, @markofthemaker

Imagine if Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott were in charge now.

Rebecca Long Bailey, even.

Like I said, stop acting like petulant children and get behind the government and its science advisors.

Make me.

The UK doesn't - and never has - done evidence based science. What it does do is science that politicians then use to leverage whatever their agenda is into the population, and ensure their mates get rich doing it.

Leopards can't change their spots, and politicians can't stop being politicians.

I do do science. Quite a lot actually. So I'll do what is best for me and mine, not what's best for Boris and Matt. (Which is what you are being asked to do).

I will never ever forget his interview with Jon snow from 15 March last year. He looked like a frightened 5 year old - total absence of professionalism of ability to hold his position - stammering and cowed. It was so awful I can’t now I see it when he speaks.
As for him telling us recently that supermarkets were in close consult with gov re food supply chain and then supermarket bosses saying this was rubbish . . .
Suffice to say I don’t believe a single word he utters.

Like I said, stop acting like petulant children and get behind the government and its science advisors

And while you're at it - get behind Brexit - Boris, Michael, Nigel and Jacob know what's best for you!

Like I said, stop acting like petulant children and get behind the government and its science advisors.

No, because my son is a nurse. He's also a severe asthmatic. They've run out of beds and they're running out of PPE. I'm worried sick about him, and my mother and fil who have underlying health conditions, since I spoke to DS last night.

Obviously isolating people over 70 wont work in practice, as surely large swathes of them do childcare /voluntary work and so on.They are not all sitting in their armchairs smoking pipes or knitting FFS! Some are still working as well .I think the Govt have a very difficult job, and I would hate to be in their shoes . Not all older people are the same , some would survive the virus ,some not so lucky with their health would struggle .What to do ? Govt trying their best ,but with Summer coming up and nice weather .The NHS will be dealing with a lot of depressed old folk!

He had a look of someone making up as he went along with a nagging fear that thinking it through first might have been a better idea.
That's total BS. He sounds committed to the job and totally without artifice. Compared to some of the self-aggrandising arseholes in parliament I'll take that any day.

The alternative to isolating everyone over 70 is isolating everyone. Which would you rather.