With every press conference he gets worse

[Keepcalmanddoyourbit]

Totally out of his fucking depth

What we should have is a broad coalition of political parties, medics and scientists. What we have is man who thought being prime minister might be a bit of fun; now the shit’s hit the fan he is so out of his depth he’s drowning in it.

I did hear talk of a GNU last night..

When our local news talked about the advise to isolate for 12 weeks, they played a snippet of his speech and explained it, snippet and explained it, etc.
That is not usually what they do with important PM statements. They normally play a large part of it. But they could not because the statement was burbling and unclear.

I have been on public speaking training. He is an example of what not to do.

And no a PM is not just a mouthpiece for "experts". Because experts do not always agree, You have to ask them the right questions, understand and analyse the answers and make a decision yourself about what to do.
Otherwise we could just hire an actor to play PM.

It’s ridiculous telling people to ‘take personal responsibility’ when no clear plan is in place to protect those who cannot do their jobs from home, or who are self employed, or who own small businesses that will go under, or whose kids will be at home from next week and need taking care of. I am a hairdresser and i work in a small salon with a staff of three including the owner. I am a single parent in receipt of tax credits. To me ‘taking personal responsibility’ means continuing to go to work because me and my dc need to fucking eat! I cannot afford to stop working and i cannot afford to put in a change of circs and be moved on to UC with a potential 5 week wait. My salon owner cannot afford to just close up. We need concrete information about how people and businesses will be protected before we shut up shop not waffle about how it’s being looked into. I’m not alone in this. My childminder is having to continue offering to take children. My friend works in non essential retail (large chain book shop) and she is having to go in and mingle with people all day because if she doesn‘t she won’t get paid. None of us want to get sick or make anyone else sick but what can we do? This is what ‘personal responsibility’ means to all the people who cannot work from home or who cannot afford to just sack work off at a moment’s notice. What he is saying is meaningless waffle as far as many many people are concerned.

I think you're minimising the amount of new information being thrown at this man

Oh dear, poor baby. Does he need it chewing for him first?

This is our Prime Minister we're talking about, no?

The ability to take on digest large amounts of information, make sensible and intelligent decisions based on it and then clearly communicate to the general public is his job description FFS.

If you want to see how a politician should be conducting themselves in this situation, look at Nicola Sturgeon. She has been measured, compassionate and firm, and has clearly explained what decisions are being taken

Agree 100%

"Personal responsibility"? Like those raiding supermarkets?

MadameButterface you're absolutely right.

One of the biggest causes of the sharp increase in panic buying and fear is the realisation that the PM, the person at the helm, doesn't know what he's doing.

He isn't able to explain clearly what the plan is, let alone the reasoning behind it.

It's really, really scary.

During times of crisis rumours circulate. This always happens. But they happen more if people think there is not a clear plan or they are not being told the truth.
One of the false rumours I keep seeing is about how supply chains are down and the country will run out of food. It is rumours like that that fuel panic buying. People need to trust that the right things are being done. I don't see people having that sense of trust.

That’s interesting about the rumours @alloutoffucks. Here on the Continent (where I am at least) we’ve had items on the news about UK panic buying for the past few days. Our shelves here are pretty bare but it feels under control (reassurance from supermarket chains and the govt leader that there’s no shortage in the warehouses, just increased demand on the shop floor and they’re working hard to keep up). The UK rumour might help to explain it.

Every time the Prime Minister makes an announcement I’m convinced there’s more panic buying.

I think I’d prefer Theresa may to be honest and that’s saying something.

I don't think BJ was trying to stifle a yawn not a laugh. He must be exhausted.

He is too soft, theres a lot of advice which people do not heed.

Chris Whitty is more direct it must be frustrating for him. I’m sure he has good professional integrity too so hard to hear the PM downplay it.

@nowmorethanever Yes I suspect the rumour is playing a big part. Just seen a minute ago someone saying it on MN and I have seen it on face book.
Boris and others keep saying there is enough food and no one needs to panic buy. The problem is these people clearly do not believe them.
That is one of the reasons why in times of crisis a leader people trust is telling them the truth, makes such a big difference. Boris has a long history of lying.

I do think there is enough food, but I also understand that if you think the UK overall does not actually have enough food for everyone, that you will panic buy.

So true fucks (may I call you fucks? ) everyone knows that Boris Johnson just says whatever suits him at the time. I wouldn’t believe him either. Although yes, there
clearly is enough food. Supply chains haven’t been impacted and will be the LAST thing to go.

I wonder if his young gf is pushing him to self isolate with her. I imagine being pregnant she will be especially anxious and his job is causing him to mix with lots of high risk people. I bet he has never needed and missed Marina more....and he is in the midst of divorcing her.

The panic buying is across the world though unless actually controlled. Australia is the same. Probably US

@nowmorethanever Sure you can call me fucks

@marsha I have friends and family abroad. All say it is not as bad abroad as here. They don't go into supermarkets and see shelves stripped of meat, fruit and veg. They have problems getting toilet paper, sanitiser and a few other items. But it is at a very different scale tow hat is happening here.

Fighting in the aisles in Australia;

www.theguardian.com/global/commentisfree/2020/mar/19/dont-panic-australia-the-coronavirus-doesnt-mean-well-run-out-of-food

They are at loo roll stage and actually fighting over it. It will get to food stage if not already. They are just behind us in time.

@Clavinova And in the background of that article a photo with a full shelf. Yes there are issues in Australia, nobody I know is aware of anyone going into a supermarket and struggling to find food as so many shelves are bare.

Perhaps they will get to where we are. Or perhaps they have a PM who will actually make difficult decisions.

All I don’t know. 400 scientists have written to PM to demand action. PM says not right time. Sounds familiar.

Empty supermarket shelves in France;

www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/short_news/french-minister-tries-to-calm-food-shortage-fears/