Johnson Press Conference

[Claudethecat]

Is he just trying to nudge up the booster numbers, or is he genuinely concerned?

Turning to Covid, I want to update you on our progress,and, in particular, on these storm clouds that are gathering over the continent

A new wave of Covid has steadily swept through central Europe and is now affecting our nearest neighbours in western Europe.

Our friends on the continent have been forced to respond with various degrees of new restrictions, from full lockdowns, to lockdowns for the unvaccinated, to restrictions on business opening hours and restrictions on social gatherings.

We don’t yet know the extent to which this new wave will wash up on our shores, but history shows we cannot afford to be complacent.

Indeed in recent days cases there have been rising here in the UK, so we must remain vigilant.

Because there is one lesson we can draw from the current situation in Europe.

Those countries with lower vaccination rates have tended to see bigger surges in infection, and in turn been forced to respond with harsher measures.

While those countries with higher vaccination rates have, so far, fared better.

This shows us once again that if we want to control the epidemic here in the UK,and if we want to avoid new restrictions on our daily lives, we must all get vaccinated as soon as we are eligible.

Tea yes there was loads of criticism of U.K. not just on here but scientists writing letters and WHO. They didn’t get it right though.

Btw why do you think Germany is increasing so rapidly atm and we’ve been bouncy but flatter?

As you seem more personable and in answering mood possibly ;

@jgw1

Yes, maybe we have all been underestimating the extent of Boris's many cunning plans.

@bumbleymummy

Well, we have higher vaccine uptake than a lot of Europe already AND, if you look at the data, it looks like the wave hit us before it hit Europe.

I was thinking the same but unless BJ was trying to use ‘Storm clouds in Europe’ to coerce boosters then the scientific consensus must be its another wave for us to expect here too.

Numbers have gotten out of control here in ROI and hospitalisations and ICU admissions are increasing pretty steadily. We have over 90% vaccine take up rate including over 12's. Our hospitals are under pressure and looks like wfh where possible and wider use of vaccine certs will be introduced today.

@bumbleymummy

Well, we have higher vaccine uptake than a lot of Europe already AND, if you look at the data, it looks like the wave hit us before it hit Europe.

Different vaccines have different levels of effectiveness.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1017309/S1362_PHE_duration_of_protection_of_COVID-19_vaccines_against_clinical_disease.pdf

[quote 2389Champ]The DT article may be behind a paywall:

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/operation-rampdown-plan-get-rid-25454045[/quote]
Where will all those consultants earn their money from if there is no Test and Trace?

Surely no one is under the impression any more that Test and Trace is about Test and Trace and actually reducing or preventing the spread of disease?

If it were hundreds of millions of pounds would not have been spent on companies that prior to 2020 had no experience or expertise in the area.

Is it a different strain in Europe that we haven’t had here then?

Because I could understand us having another wave is so… but if we are still taking about the same one then I fail to see why we will definitely follow Europe.

As far back as 2007 he was writing about the problems of the size of the world's population
Hmm, he already has 600% more children than me. Do as he says not as he does....

[quote herecomesthsun]@jgw1

Yes, maybe we have all been underestimating the extent of Boris's many cunning plans.[/quote]
This is so silly.

Do you really think this- What happened at the cabinet meeting when Whitty said yes to July 19?

I guess derision is last stop attempt so I’ll leave you to it.

[quote herecomesthsun]@jgw1

Yes, maybe we have all been underestimating the extent of Boris's many cunning plans.[/quote]
That is why he is Prime Minister. He is so much more intelligent than the rest of us.

@answered

As far back as 2007 he was writing about the problems of the size of the world's population Hmm, he already has 600% more children than me. Do as he says not as he does....

It is not his fault so many women find him irresistible.

@MarshaBradyo

The opening up over the summer was a Government initiative, and according to Javid, the Secretary of State for Health, was if anything counter to scientific advice.

I'm interested in why you are ignoring that?

It seems to have been a political decision based on what Boris and co thought would a) suit the interests of their backers and b) get popular support.

As to whether opening up with high rates over the summer will have been advantageous to how we fare over the winter, truly I think God only knows.

There are arguments for easing restrictions over the summer, however, whether Chris Whitty would really have chosen to do things quite this way if he had sole agency in this, that also is between him and God.

Here I’m focusing on what Chris Whitty advised and if he said yes to July 19 because the public would not welcome a lockdown due to winter flu then we needed to have higher cases in summer then I’m interested in his view.

He’s been right so far so if he advised cabinet to go ahead, then that’s good

It was a very small piece in R4 which was a crucial decision that I noted. Which then was reported as per the quote below.

Why do you ignore that he said yes to it?

and more about preparing blame shift if numbers start to climb more steeply. Its puts it back on individuals to pull their finger out and get vaccinated rather than addressing the communication problem and logistics over accessing vaccine centres

THIS!!!

So no it wasn’t counter to scientific advice

Maybe scientists who wrote letters etc but not the CMO who is key

sorry, what was that about Radio 4?

It was reported briefly that Chris Whitty said yes to July 19 at the time

It was crucial as it underpinned response

The quote I put below was on the back of that - so you can see it was the case

It was easy to miss but if you had you wouldn’t know Chris Whitty approved July 19 at a cabinet meeting

I don’t accept that it’s bullshit. They said several times that the point of opening earlier in the U.K. was to try and stop the winter peak being so terrible. I vividly remember that.

I'm going to need someone to walk me through how that would work.

Javid has SAID that the re-opening was not advised by SAGE, but was pushed instead by the Government as it suited their political ends.

I'm not sure why that is in dispute?

Chris Whitty has also said that he can only advise the Government and doesn't make the decisions himself, as that is not his job.

He has to advise around what Boris is doing.

Of course he can advise otherwise he’s just a yes man

If he goes into a meeting and approves it then he does

I thought you rated him somewhat?

He’s pointless if he can’t advise

Oh and I don't think final approval of these decisions goes to Chris Whitty @MarshaBradyo

He advises around the decisions. It's a different role.

[quote containsnuts]@PAFMO he was referring to boosters. We'll need 3 doses to be considered fully vaccinated. But where does it end? Isreal already planning dose number 4.[/quote]
Aren't we?

When I went for my booster last week, having already had two vaccines, the nurse told me I had to have my '3rd primary' which was a 3rd full dose - and then have to go back in another 6 months for my booster. That will take my total jabs to 4.

@PrincessNutNuts

"I'm going to need someone to walk me through how that would work."

So let's say all through summer and autumn 30-50k people a day catch Covid. Those people will be very very unlikely to catch it again this winter.

Whereas if we'd have 2/3k people a day getting for months, all those people could in theory catch it nowV

@MarshaBradyo

Tea yes there was loads of criticism of U.K. not just on here but scientists writing letters and WHO. They didn’t get it right though.

Btw why do you think Germany is increasing so rapidly atm and we’ve been bouncy but flatter?

As you seem more personable and in answering mood possibly ;

One of my new year's resolutions is to work on being more personable

They're coming from a much lower starting point. We have had a fairly 'stable' high number of cases (1000s a week dying from it) for several months. Germany has had a relatively low number of cases until recently.

Bear in mind too that 50,000 cases a day in Germany is actually less than 40,000 a day here. Germany is a larger country with a bigger population.

Germany's recent rise in cases is in part due to waning vaccine efficacy, but I believe they also have a lower take-up in the first place (compared to some of their neighbours including us).

The WHO has consistently asked that countries pursue a vaccine plus, rather than vaccine just approach. It won't miraculously get better overnight but little things all help. Mitigations are always preferable to restrictions (wherever possible) - which is why simple measures like masks and good ventilation (eg CO2 monitors in schools) are so important.
Boosters too should help.

Have a good evening all. I'm off for a cup of

@herecomesthsun

Oh and I don't think final approval of these decisions goes to Chris Whitty *@MarshaBradyo*

He advises around the decisions. It's a different role.

If it was reported he said yes then I’ll take that

He may advise in other settings but to specifically say yes is different