News conference at 5pm [titled edited by MNHQ at OP's request]

[toolazytothinkofausername]

I'm watching Sky News, and they have said there will be a news conference this afternoon... but why do they never say at what time? I've also had this on BBC news too previously. It is so infuriating

YANBU- It is annoying they do not specify a time.
YABU- In 2021 you should search the internet to find it yourself.

I do not know how to do AIBU polls. One day I will figure it out and add it on.

boris needs to wear a mask

Chris Whitty hates being on Tv. That’s why he might look worried.

He doesn’t like any media stuff. He’s a v shy chap.

@RedWingBoots ah ok. Will it need a vote? I can’t remember what the current situation is with the covid legislation

in what way does the health secretary need to provide more details about masks

@HereComesTheSun12

Chris Whitty looks petrified. It's bad.

Where did you get that from? He looked completely normal to me.

It will be interesting to see what the Dfe say about this. I have a feeling it will be no Christmas events again which is gutting as our children have worked so hard to learn our nativity.

Boris is a Bawbag.

@Carrotte

Can't call the new variant nu. But Omicron sounds like a transformer or something.

There's a marketing agency called Omnicom, which is a bit unfortunate for them!

@MrsLargeEmbodied

in what way does the health secretary need to provide more details about masks

They're still making the policy - this has all come up very suddenly

@herecomesthsun

They were pretty nippy shutting the borders this time I think, they can have an achievement point for that!

Yes either they are really worried or they learnt their lesson from the Delta variant. Or both.

It might have been short notice, Subtitles exist you know

Written English is not a BSL users first language and many deaf people have trouble reading as the pronunciation is difficult to comprehend. Also many words in spoken and written English do not exist in BSL making subtitle for some more confusing as it becomes to "wordy". So yes, we know subtitles exist, they are just not a lot of help. Other countries managed at short notice and I very much doubt that every single registered BSL interpreter in London was fully booked up for a Saturday afternoon.

@DobbyTheHouseElk

Chris Whitty hates being on Tv. That’s why he might look worried.

He doesn’t like any media stuff. He’s a v shy chap.

Plus he gets endless deth threats now from the anti-mask/anti-vax weirdos

I can’t listen to that man. How is omicron pronounced? Oh-Mike-Ron? Om-eek-Ron? Something else?

It sounds like a a telecom company.
Is this the Greek alphabet?

Plus he gets endless deth threats now from the anti-mask/anti-vax weirdos

Plus he is liar him and Vallance did it last year and it was unforgivable.

@lollipoprainbow

All male panel and all male journalists, so far.

So ?? What is your point ??

It means the questions and answers will be male-centred, with no thought for concerns that typically affect women and children.

It must be so frustrating (from a point of view of oversight of the country) to have got the UK to the point where so many vulnerable people are protected and we can look forward to coming out of the pandemic - and then this new variant comes up again.

I think the fast action helps to maintain the position we have already achieved, amongst other things.

As regards them being "really worried", that is a bit irrelevant really, no one knows yet how much of a problem omicron will be. The key thing is that sensible measures are put in place, worrying per se isn't going to change anything.

It means the questions and answers will be male-centred, with no thought for concerns that typically affect women and children.

What would you have liked them to have asked?

Written English is not a BSL users first language

But it's a compromise if they couldn't get someone at short notice.

Beth Rigby is pretty sharp with the questions, I think. And they did have Susan Michie on after.

So, safe to say its already seeded here and I imagine we could be seeing huge surges soon. However we don't necessarily know if it's more than dangerous yet and that's the key issue.

Not one mention of ventilation at all, opening a window to break up and dispel covid particles.

in what way does the health secretary need to provide more details about masks

^^ This.

Why the hell doesn't BJ push face masks more? It's beyond me. They don't hurt anyone, they just help. He is probably worried about his hospital visit weeks ago.

All the transport Unions have been asking for facemask mandate.

I think skipping Xi is a bit pathetic really.

@Tanith Male news readers and correspondents on the BBC as well....

Yes I wish they'd promote ventialtion.