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The COVID Diaries – 33 28th April

The UK’s five-day average for coronavirus deaths is now the highest of any major European economy at this point in the pandemic’s curve, new analysis has revealed.

At this point in the pandemic, some 42 days since the tenth death, the five-day average for deaths in the UK stands at 598, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University. This is far higher than Italy (559), France (509) and Spain (423).

UK coronavirus deaths have been the highest among all major European countries for  four days in a row, overtaking France at this stage of the pandemic. 

This is despite the international data for the UK only recording deaths in hospitals, in contrast to countries like France which records all community deaths.

The COVID Diaries – 32 27th April

So Boris is back in Downing Street. We wish him well.

In his first speech since his recovery from the coronavirus he said the lockdown cannot be eased yet as the UK is at the point of “maximum risk”.

While he stated that there were signs the country was “turning the tide” he also said it was too early to lift the restrictions.

Johnson repeated the government’s view that it was too early to spell out details of how or when the lockdown would be lifted, but indicated removal of restrictions will be “gradual”.

The COVID Diaries – 31 26th April

Tough restrictions lasting for many months will be “the new normal” according to government minister Dominic Raab, speaking on television today. He played down an early easing of the current lockdown.

“Social distancing measures are going to be with us for some time,” he warned.

Schools would be required to separate out pupils and offices allowed to open but only with fewer staff. Businesses would be told to create 2 metre gaps between customers.

None of this is likely, however, before current measures “get the virus down”.

The COVID Diaries – 30  25th April

The world has reacted with shock and horror to Donald Trump’s suggestion on Thursday night that the coronavirus might be treated by injecting disinfectant into the human body. His rambling press conference was the most ridiculous, and dangerous, yet.

Since the conference he has been desperately trying to row back from the stupidity that he demonstrated, claiming that he was being sarcastic.

Nobody believes him, and many think this might be the point at which things tipped, making it highly unlikely that he will be re-elected in the presidential election this coming November.

The COVID Diaries – 29 24th April

A Cabinet Office briefing leaked to The Guardian newspaper has revealed that the government was warned last year that the country needed a robust plan to deal with a pandemic virus and its potentially catastrophic social and economic consequences.

The document told government ministers that even a mild pandemic could result in thousands of deaths and set out what needed to be done to reduce the impact, as well as the potential damage of not taking action.

The leak of the document coincides with the UK’s hospital death toll from coronavirus heading close to 20,000. Less than a month ago, the medical director at NHS England, Prof Stephen Powis, said the country would “have done very well” to stay below this total. The figure excludes deaths in the community.

The COVID Diaries – 28  23rd April

Expert scientists are being open with their view that we will need to exercise social distancing for a long period, probably until a successful vaccine against COVID-19 is created. This could be well over a year away, possibly two.

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has started an adult debate about what measures will be needed and how we might start to exit the lockdown with limited relaxation of the current rules. As Sturgeon says, we need an adult conversation so we all understand what is needed.

Meanwhile Boris Johnson’s UK government still seems to struggle to function without Boris Johnson. They seem to be in paralysis, unable to resolve even basic problems such as the provision of personal protective equipment. How long this farce will continue is anyone’s guess. History will not be kind to them, and rightly so.

With the lockdown continuing, the impact on our economy will be devastating. Few politicians are talking about this, but some reports suggest up to 5 out of 6 small businesses could go under. We are entering a very different world.

The COVID Diaries 27 20th April

For the first time ever, the price of oil in the United States slipped into negative territory in the United States today. This means producers are paying for it to be taken away. It is a poignant example of the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis.

Meanwhile in the UK, the row blazes on over the government’s failure to ensure adequate supplies of personal protection equipment (PPE). Media interest focussed on a government claim that a plane full of PPE would be arriving from Turkey yesterday (Sunday). So far today it still hasn’t arrived and many Hospital trusts are becoming desperately short of protection equipment. Nobody can understand why the government cannot sort this vital issue.

The COVID Diaries – 26 18th AprilS

David Nabarro, professor of global health at Imperial College, London, has delivered a stark warning on the day that the number of UK hospital deaths from coronavirus passed 15,000. He says there is no guarantee that a vaccine can be successfully developed and we may have to live with the threat “for the foreseeable future.”

The latest total for deaths, which does not include those in care homes and in the community, puts an even stronger spotlight on the government as anger grows among NHS workers and unions over the lack personal protective equipment (PPE) for hospital and care home staff on the front line.

In the United States, at yet another bizarre press conference, Donald Trump said the country was now ready to move to the next phase in the war against coronavirus. It was time, he said, “to open up. America wants to be open, and Americans want to be open”.

But without mass testing, contact tracing, and protective equipment for health workers – all in critically short supply – health experts warn that the president’s plan could be disastrous.

The COVID Diaries 25    17th April

It is becoming clear that Government ministers haven’t a clue as to what they’re going to do next. The Conservatives won the election on the back of one person, Boris Johnson, who has centred power on himself. But now he’s ill, those around him seem to be incapable of thinking for themselves.

It’s also clear that those close to the Prime Minister tried to hide just how ill he was, before having to come clean when he was rushed to hospital. Their problem is that, despite the fact he is recovering, it’s going to be a long time before he can take back the reigns of power.

The lock down has been extended for another three weeks and the furlough payments to companies enabling them to keep staff who have no work to do will continue for another month through June. It is rumoured that cabinet members are worried the country will run out of money.

Where are the plans for what happens next? Where is the sense of direction?

Meanwhile, at a much more parochial level, it’s an interesting reflection on our own situation that the highlight of this Friday evening has been securing a delivery slot from Tesco!

The COVID Diaries 24 16th April

Just when its work couldn’t be more important, Donald Trump has cut the United States’ funding for the World Health Organisation. It’s difficult to imagine a more stupid thing that he could possibly do, removing vital support for an organisation that is desperately trying to lead the global health response to the coronavirus

Meanwhile here in England the Government has announced that the current lock-down will last at least another three weeks. Even if it is eased at the end of this period, which many experts doubt, social distancing measures may have to last at least a further year and potentially into 2022