news--2020-04-30--Coronavirus: How infection rates are changing across Europe and what it means for ending lockdown

As countries across Europe begin to lift lockdown restrictions , governments will be looking closely at the R number to monitor how quickly coronavirus is spreading in their country .
The R number , technically called R-nought ( R0 ) or the basic reproductive number , is a measure of the contagiousness of a disease .
It refers to the average number of people a person infected with COVID-19 will pass the virus to , assuming no pre-existing immunity .
The R number varies in different populations , depending on factors such as age and how frequently people come into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 in Europe was estimated to be around 3 .
That means an infected person , regardless of whether they 're showing symptoms… …will pass the virus to approximately three people in each phase ... … and each new sick person will also infect another three more people ...
But social distancing measures can reduce the number of new infections .
By isolating some infected people the R number will decrease .
This new R number is called the effective reproduction number ( Re ) or the real-time estimation of the reproduction number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure of the disease 's transmission rate at any given moment , and it changes according to people 's behaviour and the level of immunity to the disease in the population .
If the number is above 1 , the number of cases increases exponentially .
If the number is well below 1 then the disease will die out .
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine are estimating the real-time transmission rates of COVID-19 across the world .
Analysis of their data shows that transmission rates have fallen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , and that by mid-April the R number was approaching 1 .
By May 15 , the R number was between 0.7 and 1 after restrictions began being eased by the Prime Minister and people were allowed to return to work .
Data from the study also suggests transmissions rates have dropped by an average of one point in all UK regions since the beginning of March .
Transmission rates can be reduced by changes in the way we behave , but not all changes have the same impact .
A study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce the Rt number by up to 70 % and avoiding public events can reduce the number by 50 % .
Meanwhile other types of measures , such as school closures , have a more modest impact .
Voluntary measures can also be effective .
A recent publication from the German Robert Koch Institut suggests the infection rates in Germany might have decreased even before the lockdown , which could be because people were already choosing to change their behaviour .
Crucially transmission rates can go up as well as down , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R increasing .
The study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine also projects how the R number could be performing in more recent days .
Their projections show there is still a possibility that transmission rates could jump again to over 1 .
This is why R will be monitored closed as countries try to work out how to end lockdown restrictions .
Calculating accurate R numbers is a complicated process , as it relies on the daily number of reported cases of the disease being correct and there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure .
The first problem is that there is a lag in the number of daily cases reported , as it takes around 10 to 14 days for a person to catch the virus , develop the symptoms and be tested for COVID-19 .
To correct for this gap between infection and when a patient tests positive , the researchers use a statistical model called nowcast .
This shows that in the UK the R number is decreasing , but that does not mean there wo n't be new cases .
In fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the six countries with the highest number of expected new cases , according to data up to 20 April .
The UK is the only European country in this group .
The other five countries are Brazil , Ecuador , Turkey , Russia and the US .
The second problem with the official daily number of cases is that the figure is underreported .
`` Underreporting as such does n't affect the Rt estimates , as long as the proportion of underreported cases stays constant and affects the whole population equally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of the research group at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine .
But changes in the testing criteria and practices can affect estimates of the reproduction number .
`` If cases are more likely to be reported in some parts of the population ( if , for example , there is a focus on testing healthcare workers ) , then the reproduction number estimate will be biased towards this population and no longer reflective of the general population , '' Dr Funk says .
Furthermore `` if there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reported even if the overall number of infections is in decline '' , he adds .
Professor Mike Tildesley from the University of Warwick says the effective reproduction number ( Rt ) is `` an extremely important quantity when it comes to determining whether lockdown measures can be lifted '' .
`` If Rt is above 1 , this means that any epidemic will continue to grow and any relaxation of control will result in Rt growing further .
`` If Rt is significantly below one , this is an indication that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Rt may remain below 1 meaning that cases will continue to decline .
`` However , if Rt is very close to 1 , this does not give us much leeway in terms of lifting control measures .
So it is important for us not just to establish whether Rt is below 1 , but how far below 1 the value is . ''

As countries across Europe begin to lift lockdown restrictions, governments will be looking closely at the R number to monitor how quickly coronavirus is spreading in their country.
The R number, technically called R-nought (R0) or the basic reproductive number, is a measure of the contagiousness of a disease.
It refers to the average number of people a person infected with COVID-19 will pass the virus to, assuming no pre-existing immunity.
The R number varies in different populations, depending on factors such as age and how frequently people come into contact with each other.
R0 for COVID-19 in Europe was estimated to be around 3. That means an infected person, regardless of whether they're showing symptoms… …will pass the virus to approximately three people in each phase... … and each new sick person will also infect another three more people... ...and so on. But social distancing measures can reduce the number of new infections. By isolating some infected people the R number will decrease.
This new R number is called the effective reproduction number (Re) or the real-time estimation of the reproduction number (Rt).
It is a measure of the disease's transmission rate at any given moment, and it changes according to people's behaviour and the level of immunity to the disease in the population.
If the number is above 1, the number of cases increases exponentially.
If the number is well below 1 then the disease will die out.
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine are estimating the real-time transmission rates of COVID-19 across the world.
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Analysis of their data shows that transmission rates have fallen in most European countries since the beginning of March, and that by mid-April the R number was approaching 1.
By May 15, the R number was between 0.7 and 1 after restrictions began being eased by the Prime Minister and people were allowed to return to work.
Data from the study also suggests transmissions rates have dropped by an average of one point in all UK regions since the beginning of March.
Transmission rates can be reduced by changes in the way we behave, but not all changes have the same impact.
A study from Imperial College London estimates lockdown can reduce the Rt number by up to 70% and avoiding public events can reduce the number by 50%.
Meanwhile other types of measures, such as school closures, have a more modest impact.
Voluntary measures can also be effective.
A recent publication from the German Robert Koch Institut suggests the infection rates in Germany might have decreased even before the lockdown, which could be because people were already choosing to change their behaviour.
Crucially transmission rates can go up as well as down, and changes in behaviour can also result in R increasing.
The study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine also projects how the R number could be performing in more recent days.
Their projections show there is still a possibility that transmission rates could jump again to over 1.
This is why R will be monitored closed as countries try to work out how to end lockdown restrictions.
Calculating accurate R numbers is a complicated process, as it relies on the daily number of reported cases of the disease being correct and there are some limitations in the accuracy of this figure.
The first problem is that there is a lag in the number of daily cases reported, as it takes around 10 to 14 days for a person to catch the virus, develop the symptoms and be tested for COVID-19.
To correct for this gap between infection and when a patient tests positive, the researchers use a statistical model called nowcast.
This shows that in the UK the R number is decreasing, but that does not mean there won't be new cases.
In fact, the study suggests the UK is among the six countries with the highest number of expected new cases, according to data up to 20 April.
The UK is the only European country in this group. The other five countries are Brazil, Ecuador, Turkey, Russia and the US.
The second problem with the official daily number of cases is that the figure is underreported.
"Underreporting as such doesn't affect the Rt estimates, as long as the proportion of underreported cases stays constant and affects the whole population equally," says Dr Sebastian Funk, the head of the research group at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
But changes in the testing criteria and practices can affect estimates of the reproduction number.
"If cases are more likely to be reported in some parts of the population (if, for example, there is a focus on testing healthcare workers), then the reproduction number estimate will be biased towards this population and no longer reflective of the general population," Dr Funk says.
Furthermore "if there is a ramp-up in testing, more cases might be reported even if the overall number of infections is in decline", he adds.
Professor Mike Tildesley from the University of Warwick says the effective reproduction number (Rt) is "an extremely important quantity when it comes to determining whether lockdown measures can be lifted".
"If Rt is above 1, this means that any epidemic will continue to grow and any relaxation of control will result in Rt growing further.
"If Rt is significantly below one, this is an indication that a number of measures could be relaxed and Rt may remain below 1 meaning that cases will continue to decline.
"However, if Rt is very close to 1, this does not give us much leeway in terms of lifting control measures. So it is important for us not just to establish whether Rt is below 1, but how far below 1 the value is."


news--2020-05-02--Coronavirus: 'Small number' of home tests are useless - despite being included in government figures

The government has admitted that `` a small number '' of the home coronavirus tests sent out do not have the right information to be processed .
On Friday the government announced it had met its target of 100,000 daily tests - though there was criticism that the figure included home testing kits and tests carried out at satellite centres that have n't yet been returned .
Now it appears that some of these home testing kits are useless .
Several key workers who were posted tests have been in touch with Sky News to say theirs have no return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to throw the COVID-19 test away .
The home tests are supposed to work by a person rubbing a cotton swab in their mouth , then inside their nostrils , putting both samples back in tubes and a sealed bag , then sending the package back .
Tom Howell , a teacher in Leeds , said the instructions on his test explained not to take it until a return delivery slot was booked - he guessed to prevent the quality of sample deteriorating .
But he was unable to book the courier without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was n't included .
After calling the helpline to see if he could print one at home , he was told to bin the test and wait for another to arrive - in around a week 's time .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A labourer , who did not want to be named , said he was told there had been a `` technical issue '' when he called to query the missing return details for two tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The problem is , there was no mark to reorder and there are no more available , '' he added .
`` We still do n't know if we have it [ coronavirus ] or not .
It 's important I know if I 'll be driving around the country , otherwise I 'll have to do self-isolation again . ''
Another key worker in Lancashire , who also did not want to be named , encountered the same problem .
When she phoned the manufacturers , Randox , she said she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a council collection point , but the closest one was in Ireland .
Anisa from London , who also received no returns information , told Sky News she was holding on to her test .
`` I feel like it 's such a waste to throw it away , '' she said .
And Lindsay Southern from north Yorkshire wrote on Twitter she was told to re-apply for a new test in two weeks .
`` No response at all to email raising concern , '' she added .
A spokesperson for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were aware of a `` small number '' of home test kits posted `` without a return label '' .
`` We are urgently seeking to resolve this so anyone affected can either be provided with a new label or order a replacement kit online , which wo n't be counted in the daily figures , '' they added .
The department later admitted to Sky News another problem with the tests , after a family complained they could not enter their children 's date of birth in the system to arrange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing .
The family said an error message told them the dates of birth had to show the kids were over 18 - meaning they had to enter false information .
A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said it was an `` issue we were aware of '' and it had been fixed over the weekend '' .
During Saturday 's daily news conference , Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said that 1,129,907 coronavirus tests had been carried out in the UK , including 105,937 on Friday .
Next week Kay Burley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

The government has admitted that "a small number" of the home coronavirus tests sent out do not have the right information to be processed.
On Friday the government announced it had met its target of 100,000 daily tests - though there was criticism that the figure included home testing kits and tests carried out at satellite centres that haven't yet been returned.
Now it appears that some of these home testing kits are useless.
Several key workers who were posted tests have been in touch with Sky News to say theirs have no return label. They have therefore been instructed to throw the COVID-19 test away.
The home tests are supposed to work by a person rubbing a cotton swab in their mouth, then inside their nostrils, putting both samples back in tubes and a sealed bag, then sending the package back.
Tom Howell, a teacher in Leeds, said the instructions on his test explained not to take it until a return delivery slot was booked - he guessed to prevent the quality of sample deteriorating.
But he was unable to book the courier without a tracking code on a prepaid label, which wasn't included.
After calling the helpline to see if he could print one at home, he was told to bin the test and wait for another to arrive - in around a week's time.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
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A labourer, who did not want to be named, said he was told there had been a "technical issue" when he called to query the missing return details for two tests for him and his partner.
"The problem is, there was no mark to reorder and there are no more available," he added.
"We still don't know if we have it [coronavirus] or not. It's important I know if I'll be driving around the country, otherwise I'll have to do self-isolation again."
Another key worker in Lancashire, who also did not want to be named, encountered the same problem.
When she phoned the manufacturers, Randox, she said she was told she could drop it off at a council collection point, but the closest one was in Ireland.
Anisa from London, who also received no returns information, told Sky News she was holding on to her test.
"I feel like it's such a waste to throw it away," she said.
And Lindsay Southern from north Yorkshire wrote on Twitter she was told to re-apply for a new test in two weeks. "No response at all to email raising concern," she added.
A spokesperson for the Department for Health and Social Care said they were aware of a "small number" of home test kits posted "without a return label".
"We are urgently seeking to resolve this so anyone affected can either be provided with a new label or order a replacement kit online, which won't be counted in the daily figures," they added.
The department later admitted to Sky News another problem with the tests, after a family complained they could not enter their children's date of birth in the system to arrange for the samples to be collected for testing.
The family said an error message told them the dates of birth had to show the kids were over 18 - meaning they had to enter false information.
A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said it was an "issue we were aware of" and it had been fixed over the weekend".
During Saturday's daily news conference, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said that 1,129,907 coronavirus tests had been carried out in the UK, including 105,937 on Friday.
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


news--2020-05-02--Coronavirus: Airlines parking planes at smaller airports to save on storage costs during COVID-19 pa

Coronavirus: Airlines parking planes at smaller airports to save on storage costs during COVID-19 pandemic

An increasing number of major airlines are flying planes to a Gloucestershire airport to save on storage fees during the pandemic .
Storage and parts company Skyline Aero Limited - based at Cotswold Airport - says it has seen enquiries from airlines wanting to park planes increase by `` several hundred per cent '' .
The company 's chief executive , Bradley Gregory , told Sky News that airlines are saving on costs by storing planes away from hub airports .
He said : `` When the outbreak first began , we were receiving quite a surge of initially leasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store aeroplanes for longer lengths of time .
I 'd say enquiries are up several hundred percent . ''
Sky News visited the airport two days after a plane from Italy arrived for storage .
Three British Airways planes , including two 747s , arrived at the airport in April .
The company usually deals with 40 to 50 planes arriving each year - mainly to be broken down for parts .
During the virus outbreak , the business has become almost entirely focused on storage , as the industry fights for its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planes grounded , the parts business has collapsed .
Mr Gregory said : `` We 've seen the number of enquiries fall by about 90 % for component and piece parts .
`` There have been a few interesting enquiries for planes that are still in maintenance - so the more obscure parts are still being requested but the more routine parts that airlines change on a daily basis just are n't being purchased because there just are n't as many planes flying . ''
A number of airlines , including BA and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Professor Andrew Grave , an aerospace analyst at the University of Bath , believes the sector may never return to pre-pandemic levels .
He said : `` We have over 800 airlines in the world .
It 's always been a very difficult industry to run profitably .
The best predictions we have at the moment is 400 to 500 may be bankrupt by June . ''
He added : `` A lot of those aircraft are leased , the leasing companies will want them back or some kind of recompense so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airlines , leasing companies and banks that support them . ''

An increasing number of major airlines are flying planes to a Gloucestershire airport to save on storage fees during the pandemic.
Storage and parts company Skyline Aero Limited - based at Cotswold Airport - says it has seen enquiries from airlines wanting to park planes increase by "several hundred per cent".
The company's chief executive, Bradley Gregory, told Sky News that airlines are saving on costs by storing planes away from hub airports.
Image: The aviation sector is struggling with the effects of the virus outbreak
He said: "When the outbreak first began, we were receiving quite a surge of initially leasing companies, then airlines, looking to store aeroplanes for longer lengths of time. I'd say enquiries are up several hundred percent."
Sky News visited the airport two days after a plane from Italy arrived for storage.
Three British Airways planes, including two 747s, arrived at the airport in April.
The company usually deals with 40 to 50 planes arriving each year - mainly to be broken down for parts.
During the virus outbreak, the business has become almost entirely focused on storage, as the industry fights for its very survival.
With the majority of planes grounded, the parts business has collapsed.
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Image: With many planes grounded, the demand for parts has dried up
Mr Gregory said: "We've seen the number of enquiries fall by about 90% for component and piece parts.
"There have been a few interesting enquiries for planes that are still in maintenance - so the more obscure parts are still being requested but the more routine parts that airlines change on a daily basis just aren't being purchased because there just aren't as many planes flying."
A number of airlines, including BA and Ryanair, have announced plans for redundancies and Professor Andrew Grave, an aerospace analyst at the University of Bath, believes the sector may never return to pre-pandemic levels.
He said: "We have over 800 airlines in the world. It's always been a very difficult industry to run profitably. The best predictions we have at the moment is 400 to 500 may be bankrupt by June."
He added: "A lot of those aircraft are leased, the leasing companies will want them back or some kind of recompense so it's a massive challenge for the airlines, leasing companies and banks that support them."


news--2020-05-02--Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson name baby son after doctors who saved PM's life

Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson have named their baby son Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson - with the name Nicholas chosen in a nod to the two doctors who saved the prime minister 's life .
Announcing the news on Instagram , Ms Symonds said the baby was named after the prime minister 's grandfather , Wilfred , and her grandfather , Lawrie .
She said he was also named after the two doctors , Dr Nick Price and Professor Nick Hart , who saved Mr Johnson 's life when he was in intensive care with coronavirus last month .
Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's University College Hospital ( UCLH ) , adding : `` Thank you so , so much to the incredible NHS maternity team at UCLH that looked after us so well .
`` I could n't be happier .
My heart is full . ''
The picture shows Ms Symonds , 32 , cradling the newborn , who can be seen with a full head of hair .
The baby was born at 9am on Wednesday , she said .
A spokeswoman for the couple said they were `` thrilled '' and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very well '' following the birth .
It is understood Mr Johnson was present throughout the birth , with Downing Street releasing a photograph of him beaming on his return to Number 10 following the arrival of his son .
The birth came just weeks after Mr Johnson was discharged from intensive care and a few days after he returned to work on Monday .
Last month , after spending seven nights in St Thomas ' Hospital in London , Mr Johnson praised the `` exemplary '' care he received from doctors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying : `` I want to pay my own thanks to the utterly brilliant doctors , leaders in their fields , men and women but several of them for some reason called Nick , who took some crucial decisions a few days ago for which I will be grateful for the rest of my life . ''
In a joint statement , Dr Price , who is director of infection and consultant in infectious diseases , and Prof Hart , director of respiratory and critical care medicine at Guy 's and St Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our warm congratulations go to the prime minister and Carrie Symonds on the happy arrival of their beautiful son Wilfred .
`` We are honoured and humbled to have been recognised in this way , and we give our thanks to the incredible team of professionals who we work with at Guy 's at St Thomas ' and who ensure every patient receives the best care .
`` We wish the new family every health and happiness . ''
Mr Johnson also singled out nurses Jenny McGee and Luis Pitarma after his release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names .
Hailing the work of the NHS staff , after admitting things could have gone `` either way '' , the prime minister said : `` I ca n't thank them enough . ''
Ms Symonds and Mr Johnson announced at the end of February they were expecting a baby in `` early summer '' and they became engaged at the end of last year .
A Downing Street spokesman said the PM will take a short period of paternity leave later this year .
Following his recent return to work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keir Starmer about the UK 's response to COVID-19 .
The prime minister and his family are planning to live in their Downing Street flat along with their dog Dilyn , the spokesman for Number 10 said .
Messages of support poured in from across the political spectrum following the news .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock posted on Twitter : `` So thrilled for Boris and Carrie .
Wonderful to have a moment of unalloyed joy ! ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Great to hear Downing Street is getting a new resident .
Congratulations to @ BorisJohnson and @ carriesymonds on the birth of their son . ''
Meanwhile , Sir Keir said : `` Wonderful news .
Many congratulations to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds . ''
And Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote : `` Some good news - sending congratulations to Carrie and the PM .
And wishing health and happiness to the wee one . ''

Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson have named their baby son Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson - with the name Nicholas chosen in a nod to the two doctors who saved the prime minister's life.
Announcing the news on Instagram, Ms Symonds said the baby was named after the prime minister's grandfather, Wilfred, and her grandfather, Lawrie.
She said he was also named after the two doctors, Dr Nick Price and Professor Nick Hart, who saved Mr Johnson's life when he was in intensive care with coronavirus last month.
Image: Dr Nick Price is a consultant in infectious diseases and general medicine
Image: Dr Nick Hart, director of the Lane Fox Respiratory Service and a professor of respiratory and critical care medicine
Ms Symonds praised midwives and staff at London's University College Hospital (UCLH), adding: "Thank you so, so much to the incredible NHS maternity team at UCLH that looked after us so well.
"I couldn't be happier. My heart is full."
The picture shows Ms Symonds, 32, cradling the newborn, who can be seen with a full head of hair.
The baby was born at 9am on Wednesday, she said.
A spokeswoman for the couple said they were "thrilled" and that both mother and baby were "doing very well" following the birth.
It is understood Mr Johnson was present throughout the birth, with Downing Street releasing a photograph of him beaming on his return to Number 10 following the arrival of his son.
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The birth came just weeks after Mr Johnson was discharged from intensive care and a few days after he returned to work on Monday.
Image: Boris Johnson was pictured smiling after the birth of his son. Pic: Andrew Parsons/Number 10 Downing Street
Ms Symonds also suffered symptoms of coronavirus.
Last month, after spending seven nights in St Thomas' Hospital in London, Mr Johnson praised the "exemplary" care he received from doctors and nurses during his treatment for COVID-19, saying: "I want to pay my own thanks to the utterly brilliant doctors, leaders in their fields, men and women but several of them for some reason called Nick, who took some crucial decisions a few days ago for which I will be grateful for the rest of my life."
In a joint statement, Dr Price, who is director of infection and consultant in infectious diseases, and Prof Hart, director of respiratory and critical care medicine at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, said: "Our warm congratulations go to the prime minister and Carrie Symonds on the happy arrival of their beautiful son Wilfred.
"We are honoured and humbled to have been recognised in this way, and we give our thanks to the incredible team of professionals who we work with at Guy's at St Thomas' and who ensure every patient receives the best care.
"We wish the new family every health and happiness."
Mr Johnson also singled out nurses Jenny McGee and Luis Pitarma after his release, but did not use their second names.
Hailing the work of the NHS staff, after admitting things could have gone "either way", the prime minister said: "I can't thank them enough."
Ms Symonds and Mr Johnson announced at the end of February they were expecting a baby in "early summer" and they became engaged at the end of last year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:30 PM and Carrie Symonds welcome a baby boy
A Downing Street spokesman said the PM will take a short period of paternity leave later this year.
Following his recent return to work, Mr Johnson spoke to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer about the UK's response to COVID-19.
The prime minister and his family are planning to live in their Downing Street flat along with their dog Dilyn, the spokesman for Number 10 said.
Messages of support poured in from across the political spectrum following the news.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock posted on Twitter: "So thrilled for Boris and Carrie. Wonderful to have a moment of unalloyed joy!"
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Chancellor Rishi Sunak tweeted: "Great to hear Downing Street is getting a new resident. Congratulations to @BorisJohnson and @carriesymonds on the birth of their son."
Meanwhile, Sir Keir said: "Wonderful news. Many congratulations to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds."
And Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote: "Some good news - sending congratulations to Carrie and the PM. And wishing health and happiness to the wee one."


news--2020-05-01--Elon Musk's series of bizarre tweets wipe $13bn off Tesla's share price

About $ 13bn ( £10.3bn ) was wiped off Tesla 's shares after chief executive Elon Musk tweeted that the electric car company 's `` stock price is too high '' .
In a series of other tweets , Mr Musk , 48 , also said he was `` selling almost all physical possessions '' and `` will own no house '' .
He added his girlfriend was `` mad at me '' .
The subsequent 9 % drop in Tesla share prices erased about $ 3bn ( £2.4bn ) from Mr Musk 's own stake .
Nevertheless , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of April .
The Wall Street Journal said Mr Musk responded to an email asking whether he was joking , or whether his tweet was vetted , by saying : `` No . ''
It is not the first time Mr Musk has sent provocative tweets .
In April 2019 , he posted : `` My Twitter is pretty much complete nonsense at this point . ''
In August 2018 , he tweeted that he had secured funding to possibly take Tesla private .
It led to a fraud case by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Musk settled by agreeing to pay $ 20m ( £16m ) and have a Tesla lawyer pre-screen tweets with important information about the company .
The latest posts on social media are not the only controversy Mr Musk has found himself in this week .
He described coronavirus lockdowns as `` forcibly imprisoning people in their homes '' and `` fascist '' .
Mr Musk said he did not know when Tesla could resume production in California and called the state 's stay-at-home order a `` serious risk '' to the business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they can not leave their house and they will be arrested if they do , this is fascist .
`` This is not democratic , this is not freedom .
Give people back their goddamn freedom ! ''

About $13bn (£10.3bn) was wiped off Tesla's shares after chief executive Elon Musk tweeted that the electric car company's "stock price is too high".
In a series of other tweets, Mr Musk, 48, also said he was "selling almost all physical possessions" and "will own no house".
He added his girlfriend was "mad at me".
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The subsequent 9% drop in Tesla share prices erased about $3bn (£2.4bn) from Mr Musk's own stake.
Nevertheless, they remain almost 50% up from the start of April.
The Wall Street Journal said Mr Musk responded to an email asking whether he was joking, or whether his tweet was vetted, by saying: "No."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:06 How Tesla's making ventilators with car parts
It is not the first time Mr Musk has sent provocative tweets.
In April 2019, he posted: "My Twitter is pretty much complete nonsense at this point."
In August 2018, he tweeted that he had secured funding to possibly take Tesla private.
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It led to a fraud case by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which Mr Musk settled by agreeing to pay $20m (£16m) and have a Tesla lawyer pre-screen tweets with important information about the company.
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The latest posts on social media are not the only controversy Mr Musk has found himself in this week.
He described coronavirus lockdowns as "forcibly imprisoning people in their homes" and "fascist".
Mr Musk said he did not know when Tesla could resume production in California and called the state's stay-at-home order a "serious risk" to the business.
He added: "To say that they cannot leave their house and they will be arrested if they do, this is fascist.
"This is not democratic, this is not freedom. Give people back their goddamn freedom!"


news--2020-05-02--Coronavirus: YouTube deletes David Icke's channel over pandemic misinformation

Conspiracy theorist David Icke has had his YouTube channel deleted because he repeatedly posted misleading information about coronavirus .
The former TV presenter and professional footballer confirmed the news in a tweet on Saturday night which included the video-sharing platform 's notice to him , saying `` activity in your account violates our terms of service '' .
Icke referred to himself as `` the man the elite are terrified of '' and claimed the reason for his being banned was a `` made-up '' complaint from the Center for Countering Digital Hate ( CCDH ) , a UK-based think-tank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had more than 900,000 subscribers at the time it was taken down , to push controversial unproven claims that coronavirus is linked to 5G mobile phone networks .
Such theories have been linked to a spate of attacks on 5G masts during the pandemic .
The video in which he reportedly made that comment was later removed from YouTube .
In another video , on his website , Icke says he `` obviously '' does not believe there actually is a virus , and says lockdowns are a way of destroying people 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
On Friday he was banned from Facebook and the last clip he posted on YouTube , discussing that ban , had about 120,000 views .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Last month , a live-streamed interview with Mr Icke posted by another account prompted YouTube to ban all conspiracy theory videos falsely linking coronavirus symptoms to 5G .
Later , it also banned any material that suggests coronavirus does not exist .
Commenting on the termination of Icke 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC : `` YouTube has clear policies prohibiting any content that disputes the existence and transmission of COVID-19 as described by the WHO and the NHS .
`` Due to continued violation of these policies we have terminated David Icke 's YouTube channel . ''
The move was welcomed by Imran Ahmed , chief executive of the CCDH .
In a tweet , he urged Facebook and YouTube to `` go further and remove the network of shadowy channels and accounts that promote Icke on their platforms '' , while telling Twitter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for YouTube said : `` YouTube has clear policies prohibiting any content that disputes the existence and transmission of COVID-19 as described by the WHO and the NHS . ''
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to @ @ @

Conspiracy theorist David Icke has had his YouTube channel deleted because he repeatedly posted misleading information about coronavirus.
The former TV presenter and professional footballer confirmed the news in a tweet on Saturday night which included the video-sharing platform's notice to him, saying "activity in your account violates our terms of service".
Who is David Icke?
Icke referred to himself as "the man the elite are terrified of" and claimed the reason for his being banned was a "made-up" complaint from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a UK-based think-tank.
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He used his channel, which had more than 900,000 subscribers at the time it was taken down, to push controversial unproven claims that coronavirus is linked to 5G mobile phone networks.
Such theories have been linked to a spate of attacks on 5G masts during the pandemic.
The video in which he reportedly made that comment was later removed from YouTube.
In another video, on his website, Icke says he "obviously" does not believe there actually is a virus, and says lockdowns are a way of destroying people's livelihoods and making them dependent on the state.
On Friday he was banned from Facebook and the last clip he posted on YouTube, discussing that ban, had about 120,000 views.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Last month, a live-streamed interview with Mr Icke posted by another account prompted YouTube to ban all conspiracy theory videos falsely linking coronavirus symptoms to 5G.
Later, it also banned any material that suggests coronavirus does not exist.
Commenting on the termination of Icke's account, a YouTube spokeswoman told the BBC: "YouTube has clear policies prohibiting any content that disputes the existence and transmission of COVID-19 as described by the WHO and the NHS.
"Due to continued violation of these policies we have terminated David Icke's YouTube channel."
The move was welcomed by Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the CCDH.
In a tweet, he urged Facebook and YouTube to "go further and remove the network of shadowy channels and accounts that promote Icke on their platforms", while telling Twitter to ban Icke, too.
A spokesperson for YouTube said: "YouTube has clear policies prohibiting any content that disputes the existence and transmission of COVID-19 as described by the WHO and the NHS."
Image: ASK THE HEALTH SECRETARY GFX
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


news--2020-05-15--Coronavirus: Suddenly, the government isn't so sure the R rate is important

Coronavirus : Suddenly , the government is n't so sure the R rate is important Coronavirus : Suddenly , the government is n't so sure the R rate is important Take the words of the prime minister .
On 30 April , Boris Johnson told the nation that `` keeping the R rate down is absolutely vital to our recovery '' .
Or take the words of Monday 's government document , `` Our Plan to Rebuild '' , which made a point of warning that the R rate was `` potentially only just below 1 '' .
On this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government was only allowing the smallest of lockdown easing to take place in England .
On the advice of the government 's scientific advisory committee SAGE , the government announced on Friday evening that the R rate had gone up .
The range , now from 0.7 to 1 , means there is now a chance that the rate of infection has stopped declining in the community .
Suddenly , it feels if the government is n't quite so sure of the central role of the R rate .
Government scientific advisers stress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scale of infections in care homes and hospitals , not because it 's going up elsewhere in the community more generally .
And now government advisers appear to be saying to the nation that the R was n't that important a measure anyway .
In response to a question from Sky News at the daily press conference , deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries said : `` R is a very standard way of looking and comparing what 's happening and it 's a very important measure but the real outcome that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of cases and getting rid of the epidemic .
`` That is the focus , not R. R is a representation of what is happening in that fight . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It feels like quite a shift to hear that R is not `` the focus '' .
Meanwhile Matt Hancock seemed to imply he was not perturbed with the idea that the R was no longer below one , telling the daily briefing `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is n't above one… the data confirms that test '' .
Perhaps a strange mismatch with the wording from Monday 's government document .
This is about health - but also about politics , not least because the leaders of the devolved nations have gone down a different route to Boris Johnson .
In England this weekend you can go where you want .
But Wales is empty because non-essential travel is banned by the Welsh government .
The first minister said the police would stop visitors once they crossed the border .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same data provided by the same scientific advisers .
If the R continues to go in the wrong direction , it could become more uncomfortable and lockdown could resume in England , no doubt to the satisfaction of the leaders in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .

It feels as if the government isn't quite so sure of the central role of the R rate.
Coronavirus: Suddenly, the government isn't so sure the R rate is important
Take the words of the prime minister. On 30 April, Boris Johnson told the nation that "keeping the R rate down is absolutely vital to our recovery".
Or take the words of Monday's government document, "Our Plan to Rebuild", which made a point of warning that the R rate was "potentially only just below 1".
On this basis, the document suggested, the government was only allowing the smallest of lockdown easing to take place in England.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 Hancock: R rate 'not likely' to be above 1
On the advice of the government's scientific advisory committee SAGE, the government announced on Friday evening that the R rate had gone up.
The range, now from 0.7 to 1, means there is now a chance that the rate of infection has stopped declining in the community.
Suddenly, it feels if the government isn't quite so sure of the central role of the R rate.
Government scientific advisers stress the R is rising because of the scale of infections in care homes and hospitals, not because it's going up elsewhere in the community more generally.
And now government advisers appear to be saying to the nation that the R wasn't that important a measure anyway.
In response to a question from Sky News at the daily press conference, deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries said: "R is a very standard way of looking and comparing what's happening and it's a very important measure but the real outcome that we're looking for is a reduction in the number of cases and getting rid of the epidemic.
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"That is the focus, not R. R is a representation of what is happening in that fight."
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It feels like quite a shift to hear that R is not "the focus".
Meanwhile Matt Hancock seemed to imply he was not perturbed with the idea that the R was no longer below one, telling the daily briefing "one of the tests is that it isn't above one… the data confirms that test".
Perhaps a strange mismatch with the wording from Monday's government document.
This is about health - but also about politics, not least because the leaders of the devolved nations have gone down a different route to Boris Johnson.
In England this weekend you can go where you want. But Wales is empty because non-essential travel is banned by the Welsh government.
The first minister said the police would stop visitors once they crossed the border. All these differences from politicians looking at the same data provided by the same scientific advisers.
If the R continues to go in the wrong direction, it could become more uncomfortable and lockdown could resume in England, no doubt to the satisfaction of the leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.


news--2020-05-15--Coronavirus: Estimated speed of coronavirus infections rises over past week

The official estimate of the pandemic `` R '' number has risen slightly over the last week , according to a consensus by scientists advising the government .
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) said the UK reproduction number for the coronavirus is now between 0.7 and 1 , up from 0.5 to 0.9 last week .
The slight increase , based on calculations done by six research groups , is being attributed to cases in care homes and hospitals accounting for a greater proportion of the overall total .
It is too soon after the easing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to show up in the data .
R is a measure of how fast a virus is spreading .
Above 1 an outbreak is growing ; the further below 1 the faster it 's shrinking .
It 's estimated using data from hospital admissions , intensive care demand , deaths and the number of social contacts people have .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the R number was based on data from around a fortnight ago and he did not believe the figure was above one .
Speaking at the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are constantly keeping the R under review .
We do n't think that it is above one .
So that meets that test . ''
He told Sky News : `` On the timing , this is based on data from a couple of weeks ago because of the way it is measured but also from the survey data that the ONS ( Office for National Statistics ) has published .
`` It is an incredibly important figure for policymakers but it is one data point to look at alongside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said : `` R is a very standard way of looking and comparing what is happening and it 's a really important measure .
`` But the real outcome we are looking for is the reduction in the number of cases and getting rid of the epidemic in the UK so that is our focus , not R. `` '' R is a representation of what is happening in that fight '' .
SAGE is currently trying to calculate regional R numbers to reflect higher transmission in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates in London .
A modelling study by Public Health England and the Cambridge MRC Biostatistics Unit has concluded that the R number in London could be as low as 0.4 , with an estimate of just 24 new cases a day .
But government scientists are understood to be sceptical that the number of new infections is that low .
There were 49 patients admitted to hospitals in London yesterday .
For every admission there are likely to be 20 other cases in the community - bringing the total number of new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health confirmed another 384 coronavirus-related deaths were recorded in the UK on Thursday , bringing the total number 33,998 .
Estimates of the R number are notoriously difficult because of the lag between the point at which people are infected and the time that data is collected .
: : Listen to Coronavirus : In This Together on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or Spreaker For example it takes roughly 10 days for people to become sick enough to need hospital care .
The prime minister has said that easing the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the number of new infections .
The lower the number of daily cases , the easier it will be to trace their contacts and stop flare-ups of the virus .

The official estimate of the pandemic "R" number has risen slightly over the last week, according to a consensus by scientists advising the government.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) said the UK reproduction number for the coronavirus is now between 0.7 and 1, up from 0.5 to 0.9 last week.
The slight increase, based on calculations done by six research groups, is being attributed to cases in care homes and hospitals accounting for a greater proportion of the overall total.
It is too soon after the easing of the lockdown for increased movement of people to show up in the data.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 Hancock: 'R' rate 'not likely' to be above 1
R is a measure of how fast a virus is spreading. Above 1 an outbreak is growing; the further below 1 the faster it's shrinking.
It's estimated using data from hospital admissions, intensive care demand, deaths and the number of social contacts people have.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the R number was based on data from around a fortnight ago and he did not believe the figure was above one.
Speaking at the government's daily news briefing, he said: "We are constantly keeping the R under review. We don't think that it is above one. So that meets that test."
He told Sky News: "On the timing, this is based on data from a couple of weeks ago because of the way it is measured but also from the survey data that the ONS (Office for National Statistics) has published.
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"It is an incredibly important figure for policymakers but it is one data point to look at alongside the level of new cases."
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said: "R is a very standard way of looking and comparing what is happening and it's a really important measure.
"But the real outcome we are looking for is the reduction in the number of cases and getting rid of the epidemic in the UK so that is our focus, not R. "
"R is a representation of what is happening in that fight".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:55 'There's always an opportunity in a crisis'
SAGE is currently trying to calculate regional R numbers to reflect higher transmission in the North East and Scotland and lower rates in London.
A modelling study by Public Health England and the Cambridge MRC Biostatistics Unit has concluded that the R number in London could be as low as 0.4, with an estimate of just 24 new cases a day.
But government scientists are understood to be sceptical that the number of new infections is that low.
There were 49 patients admitted to hospitals in London yesterday.
For every admission there are likely to be 20 other cases in the community - bringing the total number of new infections closer to 1,000.
The Department of Health confirmed another 384 coronavirus-related deaths were recorded in the UK on Thursday, bringing the total number 33,998.
Estimates of the R number are notoriously difficult because of the lag between the point at which people are infected and the time that data is collected.
:: Listen to Coronavirus: In This Together on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Spreaker
For example it takes roughly 10 days for people to become sick enough to need hospital care.
The prime minister has said that easing the lockdown will depend on both the R number and the number of new infections.
The lower the number of daily cases, the easier it will be to trace their contacts and stop flare-ups of the virus.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: The story behind UK's new Zoom democracy - and questions over whether it's really worki

Coronavirus : The story behind UK 's new Zoom democracy - and questions over whether it 's really working Coronavirus : The story behind UK 's new Zoom democracy - and questions over whether it 's really working Since the COVID-19 crisis escalated , the boisterous shouting of the House of Commons has been replaced by an unusual quiet .
Only 50 MPs can fit in there - at a two-metre distance from each other - and 120 others can join in by videolink .
This is the new `` hybrid '' system which was unveiled last month .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time by pressing a button on their laptops .
An institution not known for its swift adoption of new technology has embraced democracy by Zoom .
Sky News met the small team of people tasked with setting up the system which could hold government to account while observing social distancing .
How will it hold up when the government is already calling for MPs to return to Westminster as soon as next month ?
Peter Bone , the outspoken Tory MP for Wellingborough , is one of those agitating for a return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casework , constituency work .
But scrutinising government is just hopeless , '' he said .
`` You ca n't intervene , you ca n't question a minister during a debate , the government is getting a free ride when it comes to scrutiny . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Legislation , he said , has `` ground to a halt '' as the committees that work on draft laws find it difficult to do so remotely .
As have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of politics .
After coming to parliament on Wednesday to ask Boris Johnson a question , he left the chamber and saw the prime minister .
`` We bumped into each other in the corridor and I was able to talk to him about the issue I wanted to talk to him about .
`` That happens all the time in parliament - getting hold of ministers and bending their ear or talking to colleagues and finding out what they 're thinking . ''
But is this all too high risk ?
MPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of March as the COVID-19 crisis was escalating with several members already struck down , before it reached the health secretary and the prime minister .
They partially returned on 21 April with strict social distancing in place , in the narrow corridors and dilapidated offices as well as the chamber .
But this week Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg surprised MPs by announcing that the virtual arrangements should end next week , paving the way for MPs to return at the start of June .
`` How can we say to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back ' , but that we 're not ... is that the right message to give to our constituents ? ''
he said .
`` We are the leaders of our nation and we have a responsibility and that responsibility falls on us to come back but we can observe social distancing . ''
Opposition MPs were horrified , saying hundreds of MPs travelling to and from their constituencies to Westminster every week posed a grave health risk .
The youngest MP , Nadia Whittome , 23 , was only elected for Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family home in Nottingham .
`` I live with my mum and my desk is actually on top of the electric meter , I just open the door and slide my legs under '' , she said .
Dialling into a committee meeting , the former carer said : `` I 'm very glad this virtual parliament has been introduced - I was one of the MPs calling for it .
`` It 's clearly not safe for parliament to return yet but it 's right that we are able to scrutinise the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they are making very high stakes decisions .
`` The institution of parliament has always been very 'computer says no ' , but there is nothing to fear from digital democracy . ''
John Angeli , director of parliamentary broadcasting , showed TV cameras behind the scenes of a deserted parliament yesterday .
His small team in the broadcast `` control room '' set up the new system to help MPs participate from home - and be seen on television .
`` It took three or four days to build the design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of days to rehearse before we were live for Prime Minister 's Questions , '' he said .
`` That was a tough day .
It looked smooth but there was a lot of paddling beneath the water .
`` Everyone had an intense sense we were in the middle of a national crisis and members needed to hold ministers to account , and had to be seen to do so . ''
The government decides whether to continue with the virtual system - with the prospect of around 400 MPs returning in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expected to remain at home .
Some MPs are shielding and others including in the devolved nations have refused to go back .
Tensions are running high , and Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has made clear he will suspend proceedings if there is overcrowding .
As workplaces around the country slowly and cautiously open up , parliament will need to decide where it stands on the risk scale .

An institution not known for its swift adoption of new technology has embraced democracy by Zoom.
Coronavirus: The story behind UK's new Zoom democracy - and questions over whether it's really working
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Since the COVID-19 crisis escalated, the boisterous shouting of the House of Commons has been replaced by an unusual quiet.
Only 50 MPs can fit in there - at a two-metre distance from each other - and 120 others can join in by videolink.
This is the new "hybrid" system which was unveiled last month. And this week MPs voted remotely for the first time by pressing a button on their laptops.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 The man who set up UK's Zoom parliament
An institution not known for its swift adoption of new technology has embraced democracy by Zoom.
Sky News met the small team of people tasked with setting up the system which could hold government to account while observing social distancing.
How will it hold up when the government is already calling for MPs to return to Westminster as soon as next month?
Peter Bone, the outspoken Tory MP for Wellingborough, is one of those agitating for a return.
"The technology is fine for casework, constituency work. But scrutinising government is just hopeless," he said.
"You can't intervene, you can't question a minister during a debate, the government is getting a free ride when it comes to scrutiny."
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Legislation, he said, has "ground to a halt" as the committees that work on draft laws find it difficult to do so remotely.
As have the personal interactions which grease the wheels of politics. After coming to parliament on Wednesday to ask Boris Johnson a question, he left the chamber and saw the prime minister.
"We bumped into each other in the corridor and I was able to talk to him about the issue I wanted to talk to him about.
"That happens all the time in parliament - getting hold of ministers and bending their ear or talking to colleagues and finding out what they're thinking."
But is this all too high risk?
MPs and peers vacated parliament at the end of March as the COVID-19 crisis was escalating with several members already struck down, before it reached the health secretary and the prime minister.
They partially returned on 21 April with strict social distancing in place, in the narrow corridors and dilapidated offices as well as the chamber.
But this week Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg surprised MPs by announcing that the virtual arrangements should end next week, paving the way for MPs to return at the start of June.
"How can we say to our schoolchildren, 'you're safe going back', but that we're not... is that the right message to give to our constituents?" he said. "We are the leaders of our nation and we have a responsibility and that responsibility falls on us to come back but we can observe social distancing."
Opposition MPs were horrified, saying hundreds of MPs travelling to and from their constituencies to Westminster every week posed a grave health risk.
The youngest MP, Nadia Whittome, 23, was only elected for Labour in December and is working from her family home in Nottingham.
"I live with my mum and my desk is actually on top of the electric meter, I just open the door and slide my legs under", she said.
Dialling into a committee meeting, the former carer said: "I'm very glad this virtual parliament has been introduced - I was one of the MPs calling for it.
"It's clearly not safe for parliament to return yet but it's right that we are able to scrutinise the government properly, particularly during a pandemic as they are making very high stakes decisions.
"The institution of parliament has always been very 'computer says no', but there is nothing to fear from digital democracy."
John Angeli, director of parliamentary broadcasting, showed TV cameras behind the scenes of a deserted parliament yesterday.
His small team in the broadcast "control room" set up the new system to help MPs participate from home - and be seen on television.
"It took three or four days to build the design, then we only had a couple of days to rehearse before we were live for Prime Minister's Questions," he said.
"That was a tough day. It looked smooth but there was a lot of paddling beneath the water.
"Everyone had an intense sense we were in the middle of a national crisis and members needed to hold ministers to account, and had to be seen to do so."
The government decides whether to continue with the virtual system - with the prospect of around 400 MPs returning in two weeks.
Most of their staff are expected to remain at home. Some MPs are shielding and others including in the devolved nations have refused to go back.
Tensions are running high, and Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has made clear he will suspend proceedings if there is overcrowding.
As workplaces around the country slowly and cautiously open up, parliament will need to decide where it stands on the risk scale.


news--2020-05-15--Coronavirus: Wales to set out 'first cautious steps' to relax COVID-19 lockdown

Wales is to begin taking its `` first cautious steps '' in relaxing its coronavirus lockdown , the first minister has told Sky News .
More than 1,100 people have died after testing positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , in Wales .
But speaking ahead of his address to the nation , he said schools will not be reopening at the start of next month , as could be the case in England , although some pupils could go back before the end of the summer term .
Mr Drakeford said he does not see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and stressed the government 's advice continues to be for people to stay at home .
Scotland and Northern Ireland are also sticking to this mantra , but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has taken a different approach .
As lockdown measures begin to be relaxed more widely in England , the PM is urging people to `` stay alert '' , with those who can not work from home now encouraged to go back to work .
The first minister said Wales will adopt a traffic light system for easing the restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there will be `` some small additional things that people will be able to do '' , he told Sky News .
`` It will not look very different , the lockdown , but it will be the first cautious steps , '' Mr Drakeford continued .
`` We 'll track those really carefully , to make sure they 're not resulting in coronavirus beginning to spread again in Wales .
`` If we succeed in that we 'll move into the amber zone .
In the amber zone , there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be able to do .
`` Again , we 'll track that very carefully and monitor it for a time .
`` If that is successful , we 'll be in the green zone and life will begin to look a lot like it did before the coronavirus started , but not completely . ''
The first minister said he only had a `` very small amount of headroom to begin the process of unlocking our economy and our society '' at this stage .
He told Sky News the R rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected person goes on to infect , in Wales is around 0.8 .
And he warned : `` Even with the R rate at 0.8 , we think 800 people could die in Wales over the next three months because of coronavirus .
`` If that figure were to creep up just a tiny number of decimal points , to 1.1 , that 800 figure would rise to 7,200 .
`` We 've got tiny margins to play with .
`` But those tiny margins are genuinely the difference between life and death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Welsh Labour leader Mr Drakeford said that unlike Boris Johnson 's government at Westminster , his government would not be providing dates for potential future measures .
`` We debated hard whether it was sensible whether to provide dates and times .
In the end , like Northern Ireland 's government earlier this week , we decided not to do that .
`` Because , in a way , once you provide a date , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process you have to go through to make sure it is then safe to take those measures .
`` It 's a sequence , it 's a phased approach , it will give people in Wales a strong sense of what to expect , but not by tying it to specific dates which in a way give it a slightly spurious sense of certainty . ''

Wales is to begin taking its "first cautious steps" in relaxing its coronavirus lockdown, the first minister has told Sky News.
More than 1,100 people have died after testing positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in Wales.
Image: Mark Drakeford said his government would not be providing dates for potential future measures
But speaking ahead of his address to the nation, he said schools will not be reopening at the start of next month, as could be the case in England, although some pupils could go back before the end of the summer term.
Mr Drakeford said he does not see pubs opening "any time soon" - and stressed the government's advice continues to be for people to stay at home.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are also sticking to this mantra, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has taken a different approach.
As lockdown measures begin to be relaxed more widely in England, the PM is urging people to "stay alert", with those who cannot work from home now encouraged to go back to work.
The first minister said Wales will adopt a traffic light system for easing the restrictions.
In the "red zone", there will be "some small additional things that people will be able to do", he told Sky News.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:50 Antibody test for coronavirus raises hopes
"It will not look very different, the lockdown, but it will be the first cautious steps," Mr Drakeford continued.
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"We'll track those really carefully, to make sure they're not resulting in coronavirus beginning to spread again in Wales.
"If we succeed in that we'll move into the amber zone. In the amber zone, there will be quite a bit more that people will be able to do.
"Again, we'll track that very carefully and monitor it for a time.
"If that is successful, we'll be in the green zone and life will begin to look a lot like it did before the coronavirus started, but not completely."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 7:15 Should the home nations lift the lockdown together?
The first minister said he only had a "very small amount of headroom to begin the process of unlocking our economy and our society" at this stage.
He told Sky News the R rate, how many people on average an infected person goes on to infect, in Wales is around 0.8.
And he warned: "Even with the R rate at 0.8, we think 800 people could die in Wales over the next three months because of coronavirus.
"If that figure were to creep up just a tiny number of decimal points, to 1.1, that 800 figure would rise to 7,200.
"We've got tiny margins to play with.
"But those tiny margins are genuinely the difference between life and death for thousands of Welsh citizens."
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Welsh Labour leader Mr Drakeford said that unlike Boris Johnson's government at Westminster, his government would not be providing dates for potential future measures.
"We debated hard whether it was sensible whether to provide dates and times. In the end, like Northern Ireland's government earlier this week, we decided not to do that.
"Because, in a way, once you provide a date, people get fixated with a date rather than the process you have to go through to make sure it is then safe to take those measures.
"It's a sequence, it's a phased approach, it will give people in Wales a strong sense of what to expect, but not by tying it to specific dates which in a way give it a slightly spurious sense of certainty."


news--2020-05-15--Coronavirus: Australians enjoy beers and lattes as states ease lockdown restrictions

Restaurants , cafes and bars in some Australian states took their first cautious steps to reopening on Friday after being closed for nearly eight weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Under the new rules , drinkers and diners are being allowed to return to venues for a maximum of two hours , but only 10 people at a time , and business owners must ensure customers maintain social distancing .
Outdoor exercise clubs and team sports are back on too in groups of no more than 10 , and the same number of people can congregate in churches and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which closed its external and internal borders , imposed an early shutdown of businesses and issued strict social distancing rules in March , has avoided the high numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths seen in some other countries .
With fewer than 20 new cases of coronavirus being recorded each day , Australian states and territories agreed a roadmap last week to lift the nation 's lockdown and restart its economy by July under a three-stage plan - and each state is setting its own pace in easing COVID-19 restrictions .
Gladys Berejiklianm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populous state of New South Wales , where people are also being allowed to invite up to five visitors of any age into their homes , warned people not to take advantage of the relaxed restrictions .
`` Easing restrictions has failed in so many places around the world and I do n't want that to happen in NSW , I want people to have personal responsibility for the way we respond , '' she said .
Schools are also slowly reopening , and public swimming pools with a maximum of 10 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is such a treat , '' said Jess Best , who met up with a friend in a cafe in Sydney .
`` To be able to sit down with other people around and chat to my friend .
I can have a normal morning , not hiding away in my home . ''
But not every business owner is planning to throw open the doors .
Simon Matthews , co-owner of a restaurant in Darwin in the Northern Territory , said restricted gatherings would be difficult to manage .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wee 's to do a normal trade in two hours - it 's very difficult for us to police .
It puts us and our clients in a very difficult situation , '' he told ABC News .
Health authorities have stressed coronavirus infections will rise as restrictions are eased .
NSW and Victoria , the country 's second most populous state which is retaining most of its lockdown measures , reported a total of 29 new cases on Friday , a slight increase from the recent daily average of fewer than 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get people back to work comes a day after the country 's national statistics office reported unprecedented record high job losses .
`` While there is n't too much to be celebrating with the difficult circumstances we face , and particularly yesterday 's unemployment numbers , it is a welcome sign that we are on the way back , '' Prime Minister Scott Morrison .
Ms Berejiklian stressed the importance of continuing the focus on testing to successfully roll back restrictions .
`` As restrictions are eased today , please come forward and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way in which we are going to manage easing restrictions and be able to control the virus , '' she said .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker State governments have set up coronavirus testing centres and want people to take tests regardless of whether they have symptoms .
The country has recorded 98 deaths associated with the virus , while officials said on Friday that only 50 people remain in hospital with COVID-19 .

Restaurants, cafes and bars in some Australian states took their first cautious steps to reopening on Friday after being closed for nearly eight weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the new rules, drinkers and diners are being allowed to return to venues for a maximum of two hours, but only 10 people at a time, and business owners must ensure customers maintain social distancing.
Outdoor exercise clubs and team sports are back on too in groups of no more than 10, and the same number of people can congregate in churches and other places of worship.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 April 26: Crowds flock to beach after it reopens for 'exercise'
Australia, which closed its external and internal borders, imposed an early shutdown of businesses and issued strict social distancing rules in March, has avoided the high numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths seen in some other countries.
With fewer than 20 new cases of coronavirus being recorded each day, Australian states and territories agreed a roadmap last week to lift the nation's lockdown and restart its economy by July under a three-stage plan - and each state is setting its own pace in easing COVID-19 restrictions.
Image: Up to 10 people only are allowed at restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs like this one in Sydney, Australia
Gladys Berejiklianm, premier of the country's most populous state of New South Wales, where people are also being allowed to invite up to five visitors of any age into their homes, warned people not to take advantage of the relaxed restrictions.
"Easing restrictions has failed in so many places around the world and I don't want that to happen in NSW, I want people to have personal responsibility for the way we respond," she said.
Schools are also slowly reopening, and public swimming pools with a maximum of 10 people allowed in the water.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:22 May 12: Oz MP tested after coughing fit in parliament
"It is such a treat," said Jess Best, who met up with a friend in a cafe in Sydney. "To be able to sit down with other people around and chat to my friend. I can have a normal morning, not hiding away in my home."
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But not every business owner is planning to throw open the doors.
Simon Matthews, co-owner of a restaurant in Darwin in the Northern Territory, said restricted gatherings would be difficult to manage.
"It's very difficult for a business like Pee Wee's to do a normal trade in two hours - it's very difficult for us to police. It puts us and our clients in a very difficult situation," he told ABC News.
Image: Public swimming pools are reopening as restrictions are eased across the country
Health authorities have stressed coronavirus infections will rise as restrictions are eased.
NSW and Victoria, the country's second most populous state which is retaining most of its lockdown measures, reported a total of 29 new cases on Friday, a slight increase from the recent daily average of fewer than 20.
The easing of some measures to get people back to work comes a day after the country's national statistics office reported unprecedented record high job losses.
Image: Australians have been urged to not take advantage of the relaxed lockdown for fear of a second wave of infections
"While there isn't too much to be celebrating with the difficult circumstances we face, and particularly yesterday's unemployment numbers, it is a welcome sign that we are on the way back," Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Ms Berejiklian stressed the importance of continuing the focus on testing to successfully roll back restrictions.
"As restrictions are eased today, please come forward and get tested, that's the only way in which we are going to manage easing restrictions and be able to control the virus," she said.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
State governments have set up coronavirus testing centres and want people to take tests regardless of whether they have symptoms.
The country has recorded 98 deaths associated with the virus, while officials said on Friday that only 50 people remain in hospital with COVID-19.


news--2020-05-15--Coronavirus: Daughter's anger as father dies after COVID-19 patient entered care home

The daughter of a man who died with suspected coronavirus has told Sky News she wants to know who signed off on a government policy to allow untested COVID-19 patients to be sent to care homes , potentially spreading the virus .
Dr Cathy Gardner says she fears the policy could have been a factor in the death of her 88-year-old father Michael Gibson , who passed away in a care home in Oxfordshire on 3 April .
She has described the government 's discharge policies as `` irresponsible '' .
Dr Gardner said : `` I think the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as rapidly as possible into care homes full of vulnerable people was incredibly irresponsible ...
I think it was an unbelievable act and they need to be held accountable for that . ''
The original advice the government gave regarding the discharge of patients to care homes said : `` Negative tests are not required prior to transfers/admissions into the care home . ''
The policy was changed as of 15 April to say : `` We can now confirm we will move to institute a policy of testing all residents prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will begin with all those being discharged from hospital and the NHS will have a responsibility for testing these specific patients , in advance of timely discharge .
`` Where a test result is still awaited , the patient will be discharged and pending the result , isolated in the same way as a COVID-positive patient will be . ''
The Department of Health and Social Care 's strategy was to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed .
Mr Gibson , who had advanced Alzheimer 's , was a resident at the Cherwood House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Dr Gardner said looked after her father with great kindness .
She said that staff told her a COVID-positive patient was discharged back to the home in mid-March .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Sky News understands the care home felt pressured to take the resident back and were told the patient `` had n't had a temperature for 48 hours '' .
Cherwood House have said they were n't given any guarantees the patient was n't still infectious , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` one of several possibilities '' which could have caused Mr Gibson 's death .
Dr Gardner , who is an independent councillor in Devon , has a degree in microbiology and a PhD in the airborne spread of infection through the respiratory tract .
She said : `` Coronavirus is so easily spread .
The government knew the risks .
It 's so easily carried around even when people are doing their best the risk is so great .
At a time when over-70s and vulnerable people were being told to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she would like to see a public inquiry into the government 's social care and hospital discharge policies leading up to and during the pandemic .
She said : `` I hold the PM and the government responsible for the policy .
It 's got HM Government on the top of it .
Whoever wrote it originally , whoever signed it off for publication must be held responsible for the consequences . ''
In life , Mr Gibson was a registrar registering the births , deaths and marriages of others .
Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the precise cause of her father 's death will never be known because of the lack of testing in care homes .
She said : `` My father 's GP was extremely good .
She really suspected that patients dying like my father were infected with coronavirus and she put 'probable COVID-19 ' on the death certificate .
`` It seems such a shame after what he did for a living that his own death certificate is n't accurate .
Because he was never tested and no samples were taken after death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
`` It 's only recorded on his death certificate as probable . ''
Dr Gardner said : `` It 's difficult to deal with the loss of my father at the same time as understanding the background to his death because you 're always angry when you 're grieving anyway .
`` To know that this might have played a factor and the government might have contributed directly to my father 's death is almost unbelievable .
It 's so difficult to get my head around it .
It makes me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission , which is currently considering whether human rights laws have been breached in discharging patients into care homes .
He told Sky News that the commission was `` sympathetic in relation to the challenge in resources and how priorities have to be made '' .
`` But equally we think discharging without testing into care homes is high risk and poses substantial risk to those in those care homes who are people with underlying health conditions and often are very isolated and are not in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So talk to us , be mindful of those issues and work with us to come up with a solution .
The reality is if that does n't happen , we 'll have to look very carefully at how we exercise our legal powers to ensure that government and local authorities are actually meeting their obligations . ''
Sky News put Dr Gardner 's concerns to the Department for Health and Social Care , and in response , a spokesperson said : '' This virus can sadly have a devastating effect on some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deepest sympathies go out to the families who have lost relatives .
`` The government is working around the clock to make sure care homes and our frontline social care workforce are getting the support they need to protect residents and tackle coronavirus .
`` We have put in place a policy to ensure all people are tested when being discharged from hospitals into care homes and we have allocated £1.3 billion of additional funding to enhance the NHS discharge process , as well as a new £600m infection control fund for care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` As a result of all this - and the work of so many people - two thirds of England 's care homes have had no outbreak at all . ''

The daughter of a man who died with suspected coronavirus has told Sky News she wants to know who signed off on a government policy to allow untested COVID-19 patients to be sent to care homes, potentially spreading the virus.
Dr Cathy Gardner says she fears the policy could have been a factor in the death of her 88-year-old father Michael Gibson, who passed away in a care home in Oxfordshire on 3 April.
She has described the government's discharge policies as "irresponsible".
Image: Michael Gibson died in an Oxfordshire care home in April
Dr Gardner said: "I think the government guidance that hospitals implemented to discharge people as rapidly as possible into care homes full of vulnerable people was incredibly irresponsible... I think it was an unbelievable act and they need to be held accountable for that."
The original advice the government gave regarding the discharge of patients to care homes said: "Negative tests are not required prior to transfers/admissions into the care home."
The policy was changed as of 15 April to say: "We can now confirm we will move to institute a policy of testing all residents prior to admission to care homes.
"This will begin with all those being discharged from hospital and the NHS will have a responsibility for testing these specific patients, in advance of timely discharge.
"Where a test result is still awaited, the patient will be discharged and pending the result, isolated in the same way as a COVID-positive patient will be."
The Department of Health and Social Care's strategy was to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed.
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Mr Gibson, who had advanced Alzheimer's, was a resident at the Cherwood House Care Centre in Oxfordshire, a place which Dr Gardner said looked after her father with great kindness.
She said that staff told her a COVID-positive patient was discharged back to the home in mid-March.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Sky News understands the care home felt pressured to take the resident back and were told the patient "hadn't had a temperature for 48 hours".
Cherwood House have said they weren't given any guarantees the patient wasn't still infectious, and said taking back the COVID-positive resident was "one of several possibilities" which could have caused Mr Gibson's death.
Dr Gardner, who is an independent councillor in Devon, has a degree in microbiology and a PhD in the airborne spread of infection through the respiratory tract.
She said: "Coronavirus is so easily spread. The government knew the risks. It's so easily carried around even when people are doing their best the risk is so great. At a time when over-70s and vulnerable people were being told to stay at home."
Dr Gardner said she would like to see a public inquiry into the government's social care and hospital discharge policies leading up to and during the pandemic.
She said: "I hold the PM and the government responsible for the policy. It's got HM Government on the top of it. Whoever wrote it originally, whoever signed it off for publication must be held responsible for the consequences."
In life, Mr Gibson was a registrar registering the births, deaths and marriages of others.
Dr Gardner said it was a sad irony that the precise cause of her father's death will never be known because of the lack of testing in care homes.
She said: "My father's GP was extremely good. She really suspected that patients dying like my father were infected with coronavirus and she put 'probable COVID-19' on the death certificate.
"It seems such a shame after what he did for a living that his own death certificate isn't accurate. Because he was never tested and no samples were taken after death to confirm the diagnosis or not of coronavirus.
"It's only recorded on his death certificate as probable."
Dr Gardner said: "It's difficult to deal with the loss of my father at the same time as understanding the background to his death because you're always angry when you're grieving anyway.
"To know that this might have played a factor and the government might have contributed directly to my father's death is almost unbelievable. It's so difficult to get my head around it. It makes me extremely angry."
David Isaac is chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which is currently considering whether human rights laws have been breached in discharging patients into care homes.
He told Sky News that the commission was "sympathetic in relation to the challenge in resources and how priorities have to be made".
"But equally we think discharging without testing into care homes is high risk and poses substantial risk to those in those care homes who are people with underlying health conditions and often are very isolated and are not in close contact with their families.
"So talk to us, be mindful of those issues and work with us to come up with a solution. The reality is if that doesn't happen, we'll have to look very carefully at how we exercise our legal powers to ensure that government and local authorities are actually meeting their obligations."
Sky News put Dr Gardner's concerns to the Department for Health and Social Care, and in response, a spokesperson said:
"This virus can sadly have a devastating effect on some of our most vulnerable people and our deepest sympathies go out to the families who have lost relatives.
"The government is working around the clock to make sure care homes and our frontline social care workforce are getting the support they need to protect residents and tackle coronavirus.
"We have put in place a policy to ensure all people are tested when being discharged from hospitals into care homes and we have allocated £1.3 billion of additional funding to enhance the NHS discharge process, as well as a new £600m infection control fund for care homes to tackle the spread of COVID-19.
"As a result of all this - and the work of so many people - two thirds of England's care homes have had no outbreak at all."