Matt Hancock is really struggling to get his words out today!

[Teddypops]

Gosh he is struggling. Forgot the name of one of the advisers.

if the fight against the pandemic is being run by people who are still shattered and not fully recovered from having COVID

then we may be in even more trouble than we thought.

I can applaud their sense of duty, but they risk damaging their own health longterm .... and the country's too

He's working really hard, but unfortunately will probably have to carry the can for the awful performance of some of those in PHE and NHS procurement, who frankly, it has long been known, are not fit for purpose, but you can't get rid of them.

This. Public Health England want sacking, the lot of them.

I really don't know just what people expect these Ministers to do? They are, like all of us, in uncharted territory - they are doing their bloody best and all we get is moaning and complaining about how they should be doing more. Just what exactly do people expect - someone to magically make the virus disappear?

I felt very uneasy after watching the press conference today
I felt that something was being hidden from us
MH looked really upset and very uneasy
I got the impression he was NOT saying something he should
I didn't feel confidence from any of the speakers
MH was stumbling over words right through and looked ill

Slagging off Hancock and Johnson, even though they are following science, they are the messengers - it's pathetic, don't hear any of you saying the same about Whitty or Vallance - science isn't a month long study, it takes YEARS. This virus is brand new. Put your political sticks back in the cupboards, it's fucking boring now. Discuss the virus, vaccines, ppe, empty hospitals (see other thread) not how govt are trying to battle a brand new virus, along with the rest of the world - as it's pretty clear, they are doing as the scientific experts are advising.

@MilkTrayLimeBarrel hear hear!

I think he needs a day off, I felt sorry for him today. I was only following it on the radio but he sounded knackered.

Venus “ science isn't a month long study, it takes YEARS”

This is what I think every time I hear “following the science”.

Milk “ Just what exactly do people expect - someone to magically make the virus disappear?”

I expect a sense of balance and realism.

My dad pays over 3k a month for his care home. He is self funding. I'm not answering any calls for money for them : pay for your staffs ppe out the money you charge.
I do donate for other things for them and the staff are great and up against it but the management should source their own Ppe for their hard working carers who I do feel sorry for.

Following the science isn't enough, all other factors like economics, long term future etc need to be considered and weighed up. Nevermind planning…

They’re all groping around in the dark. None of them know what the hell they’re doing and they’re running scared. I bet they’re absolutely cursing that resounding election victory now. I unexpectedly find myself feeling really sorry for them. Never thought I’d say that.

I think most people would struggle with this.
I know I wouldn't want to face any of it ( or piers Morgan kicking off at 7am in the morning!) I know it's their job. I know they should be able to cope with it all but Matt Hancock is only human and the back up from his colleagues is possibly non existent.

I expect daily updates about a plan being executed in steps. What is the current state of testing?

He seemed to go straight back to work after covid19 - Maybe he has not fully recovered/should have taken a break afterwards.

But I think the situation is getting worse and worse - so cant be much fun.

I have no sympathy with their early mishandling of this when other less arrogant leaders got it right because they listened.

Following the Science = The scientists will take take the blame if this all goes tits up!

To whoever asked about where the money is coming from- they are borrowing it.

It's never going to happen but if they held their hands up and said ok we got it wrong, we fucked up early on but we're doing our absolute best now. Then I'd have more sympathy. Sunak had a proper opportunity yesterday when the BBC reporter asked him if they were ashamed but he blew it. I wish we could use this chance to get beyond party politics in favour of grown up government but Hell will freeze over...

He comes across as honest and I think he is genuinely trying to do his best. He's exhausted and recently recovered from CV. But then I love Prof Van Tam, seems very down to earth and grounded and tells it as it is...

Governments never admit failure but they nearly always end up in failure.
Politics is a dirty business.

The actually said they'd ordered PPE from Turkey when they have not. It was a lie. That is not honest, however he presents.

Can someone explain the Van Tam thing?

They had ordered it commercially, but the government had subsequently banned exports hence the impasse.

*Turkish government.