Press Conference at 8

[Beebityboo]

Says Peston. Predictions?

Furlough is available for non essential workers and should be used. Anyone who has the opportunity to access furlough but chooses not to is selfishly putting their community and the NHS at risk

Ah, go fuck yourself. I really don't intend to listen to anything that you or your DH say.

@knittingaddict

I'm expecting full lockdown.

Personally I can cope with that better than my daughter working (she's in nonessential retail), schools closed and us doing childcare. However I'm very sorry for those who will be so stressed trying to work and having children in lockdown.

That's the thing isn't it. My work were very supportive first time round. That flexibility has gone out of the window as they struggle to survive as a business. I can't physically be in 3 places at once. I bet I'm not the only one who will possibly have to choose between their job and their home life. I weep for the poor kids who's education seems to mean nothing. Online learning is great if you have the time and resources to do it. Many don't. 3 schools in our local area. Not one has closed or had a case since they went back in September. I realise this is lucky but why should they suffer?

If the government was more decisive and on the ball I really do feel there would be far less covidiots and deniers around.

It will be absolutely despicable if schools are announced to be closing and children have gone back for 1 day. The impact of this on their emotion wellbeing will have once again been a joke to the PM and his government.
Not to worry though, Joe Wicks has had the heads up and is poised and ready to resume PE on Monday so his recently deleted tweet said.

Tier 5 to be announced for material risk to healthcare services being overwhelmed.

^^

It's alert level 5.
Tier 5 is something different entirely.
Easy to get confused!

I think some people are confusing 'Alert Level 5' (on the Nando's strip thing) with a new Tier 5 (as in lockdown rules).

From Guardian's live feed:

According to the Financial Times (paywall), which says it has been briefed by “several Whitehall officials”, cabinet ministers agreed this afternoon that “primary and secondary schools would probably close until the mid-February half-term break”.

If it's at 8pm it'll be bad news.

The UK's coronavirus alert level will be raised from 4 to 5 for the first time, government sources have said.

Level 5 or "red" means there is a "material risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed", compared to Level 4 when transmission is "high or rising exponentially".

The COVID-19 alert level refers to the threat of the epidemic and is separate from the tiering system in England.

It is set by the Joint Biosecurity Centre, which includes all four nations' chief medical officers.

@Toddlerteaplease

If it's at 8pm it'll be bad news.

Let’s face it it’s never good is it

If schools close they must make a decision on GCSEs. My Y11 DD is all over the place not knowing what she’s aiming for ie mocks at the end of Jan or exams in June. Her teachers are equally in the dark so can’t tell the girls anything more. As it is, her music GCSE is completely buggered.

I wasn't going to drink tonight, I've cracked already.

Damn it, spent all day turning my daughter's trousers up and now by the time schools reopen I'll have to unpick them again!!

Obviously that's a first world problem and I do see the bigger picture....but I also bloody hate sewing!

@SophieB100

From Guardian's live feed:

According to the Financial Times (paywall), which says it has been briefed by “several Whitehall officials”, cabinet ministers agreed this afternoon that “primary and secondary schools would probably close until the mid-February half-term break”.

I really, really, really hope it's not until then.

This fucking government, I have no words left.

A set of restrictions that should have been implemented at least three weeks ago is my prediction.

I’m surprised so many believe Boris will announce a full school closure after only yesterday saying how safe they are. The cynic in me thinks he won’t want to lose face and u turn so quickly even if it is the right thing to do

For anyone who wants to check daily cases in their council and in councils across your county in advance of this evenings press conference you can do so quickly and easily at www.covidmessenger.com (table updated every day shortly after the govt data release). Its updated with today's data.

Lately tiering decisions have been broadly at county level so its handy to be able to see the trend in all the councils in your county (just click the county column to sort by county)

Although at this rate, its quite possible restrictions will be national/regional. I guess we just have to wait and see.

Bracing myself for 8pm...

@Originalyellowbelly You, and me Also. FML.

I am going to eat dinner early because I think I may not feel like eating around 8pm
I am also going to do a quick search for the ‘Furlough Tourist Board’ web site. My hotels.com and ba apps don’t seem to recognise the destination !?

@SophieB100

From Guardian's live feed:

According to the Financial Times (paywall), which says it has been briefed by “several Whitehall officials”, cabinet ministers agreed this afternoon that “primary and secondary schools would probably close until the mid-February half-term break”.

Sounds pretty likely then.

😥 We only went back to school today. Such a shambles.

@Wejustdontknow

I’m surprised so many believe Boris will announce a full school closure after only yesterday saying how safe they are. The cynic in me thinks he won’t want to lose face and u turn so quickly even if it is the right thing to do

You are surprised that people think Boris will say one thing one day and the opposite thing a day or two after? Why are you surprised? He's done precisely that, many times.

@Originalyellowbelly me too

Kids had a good day today at school. We are tier 3 and not a hot spot. Dreading 8

@Wejustdontknow

I’m surprised so many believe Boris will announce a full school closure after only yesterday saying how safe they are. The cynic in me thinks he won’t want to lose face and u turn so quickly even if it is the right thing to do

That's why it's at 8pm with no pesky journalists.

never so sorry it is really tough. Support to all with school aged children.