We will move to stage 2 only if it is safe to do so

[StealthPolarBear]

Genuine question as I may have missed it - have we had the explanation (presumably linked to the five tests) of how it is safe?
One of the five tests is "no risk of. A second peak that could overwhelm the NHS". How can they evidence that?

That's strange, my memory is different

What @Hibbetyhob said. I’m worried that the government will relax the rules, not because the evidence suggests that it’s safe, but as a distraction from Cummings.

I’m sure there is a transcript of the briefing somewhere to find his exact wording.

I'd like to read that just to see how his waffle is transcribed :o

Yes it would be amusing!

There is a transcript each time, released on the Downing Street website (I think)

Transcripts look like they should be here. Nothing for yesterday yet.

I thought they’d said a few times that track and trace had to be open and working before schools could go back but that looks unlikely to be fully functioning by Monday.

I agree the tests are hard to definitively measure, so they are rather arbitrary and the govt can argue either way for whether they have met them. This, of course, may have been the aim when writing them so they can bend the answers to whatever they want to say at that time.

This, of course, may have been the aim when writing them so they can bend the answers to whatever they want to say at that time

Definitely. The 5th in particular is entirely subjective.

Still no transcript. And actually it doesn't look like they're there for each day.

I haven’t looked so I don’t know if the government already do, but I think they should be publishing the projection models they’re basing their decisions on. There are so many unknowns that people are filling in the gaps themselves.

We need to have access to whatever they’ve got.

Sorry I meant the transcripts are there for big announcements like when Boris announced lockdown, and then the easing.

I think the PPE criteria is still not being met in many areas of the NHS and care homes. Plus staff are still wearing scrubs made out of duvet covers by the community right now. That is a lovely thing to be doing, but it's the end of May, the NHS should be able to provide its staff with scrubs FGS.

And the government is breaking the criteria about not reopening schools until a track and trace system was in place. Why is the media not holding the government accountable? Why is no opposition voice being allowed to be heard. The 5 criteria for reopening schools have not been met but they are still doing it. How is this possible?

Our local hospital is closed to new patients this morning due to high numbers of covid patients, it's very worrying
www.uhbw.nhs.uk/p/latest-news/temporary-changes-at-weston-general-hospital

There is the minor issue that the 5 tests said to be 'met' are not the 5 tests set by Boris on 10th May.....

Track and trace was never in the list, but keeping R

Sadly I think the government have already decided what they will do, and when. If necessary, they will conveniently drop it adjust their tests as required, to make it look as though they are following through on their original statements. And when they are pulled up on those changes, they will insist that the nasty media are twisting things or that the silly general public clearly misunderstood in the first place. And when necessary, they will outright lie.

conveniencestore I knew this would happen. I knew th "so long as it is safe to do so" would be quietly dropped. I agree though, why isn't he being held to account?

I don't think they'll relax due to distraction from Cummings.

Dying to know what will be said tomorrow

@Erictheavocado

The haven’t decided yet. I know someone involved and it is clear that they will be working on this and analysis of risks etc. right up to the deadline.

@NotAnotherUserNumber I hope so... the messaging seems very much "this is what is happening" though, rather than "in the happy event that we've met ALL FIVE of the tests by the 28th, this would be what will happen".

[quote NotAnotherUserNumber]@Erictheavocado

The haven’t decided yet. I know someone involved and it is clear that they will be working on this and analysis of risks etc. right up to the deadline.[/quote]
I sincerely hope that you are correct, but I find it hard to believe. We will see.

I don’t think they even care what they said anymore. They just want the economy up and running. If they won’t bin Cummings, it means everyone can do what they want. And this is what Bojo is striving for

I think that the science is broadly being swept under the carpet in the spirit of ploughing through at the moment to be honest.