news--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: Health Secretary Matt Hancock answers your COVID-19 questions

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has answered questions from Sky News viewers and readers in a Q & A hosted by Kay Burley .
Here are his full responses to your coronavirus questions .
Doug McLaren : Has Prof Neil Ferguson been fined by the police for breaking lockdown rules ?
And if not , why not ?
Hancock : `` I do n't know .
The first I heard about this was when I read it in the newspapers ...
But clearly the social distancing rules are there for everyone - they 're incredibly important and they 're deadly serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're the means by which we 've been able to get control of this virus . ''
Burley : Should he be prosecuted ?
`` You could imagine what my views are ...
It 's a matter for the police , as a government minister I 'm not allowed to get involved in the operational decisions of police matters but I think the social distancing rules are very important and people should follow them . ''
Burley : You said you read it in the papers , what did you think when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your head on the desk ?
`` I am [ speechless ] - that does n't often happen to me Kay , but I am .
`` Professor Ferguson is a very eminent and impressive scientist and the science he has done has been an important part of what we 've listened to and I think he took the right decision to resign . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Burley : One of his defences was that he 'd already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was okay not to social distance ?
`` I asked exactly the same question of England 's chief medical officer after I 'd had coronavirus , and normally there is immunity and your much lower risk from the coronavirus if you 've had it recently but we do n't know that for sure .
`` We all have to abide by social distancing .
`` We do have a scientific survey in the field , right now , to find out if people who 've definitely had it because they 've tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it again .
`` And if they do n't then we 'll know scientifically that people who 've had it and have been tested to have the antibodies that they can go about in a much more low risk way .
`` If that science comes through , as we do expect it to , then we will be able to say people are lower risk if they 've had that positive antibody test , but we do n't know that yet and that 's why everyone has to follow the social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm in the shielding category .
Will I have to wait for a vaccine before I hug my children and grandchildren again ?
Hancock : `` Those who are shielded , are those who have specifically received a letter from the NHS saying they are clinically extremely vulnerable to the disease .
`` This is not the rule for all over 70s , who are in a different category , so the answer I 'm going to give relates to the shielded who have specifically received a letter from the NHS .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shielding to avoid as much human contact as possible , for 12 weeks , we may have to extend those 12 weeks but we hope not to .
`` We may well be able to release some of those measures before a vaccine is available , if we can get the level of new cases right down .
`` So in some countries they 've managed to now get the number of new cases right down and , if we get there , if we succeed in doing that , then we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether it 's safe for those who are shielded to hug their grandchildren .
`` I understand the emotional impact this is having and there are many people who have n't left their homes for six weeks or so , that is a long time especially if you do n't have a garden , so that 's right at the front of my mind .
`` Making sure we get the rules around those who are shielded right is really important and we will take into account not just the impact of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical and mental health from being stuck at home for such a long time . ''
Brian McCarvel : What if a vaccine can not be found for COVID-19 ?
Hancock : `` If a vaccine ca n't be found then we have to learn to find a way to live with this virus - which means getting the numbers right down and then holding them down through , for instance , mass scale testing and chasing the virus through a combination of technology and human virus tracers .
`` And of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to say drugs that can make sure if you do get ill with coronavirus it is n't life-threatening in the way it is now .
`` It is not a guarantee that we will find a vaccine , we 're doing everything we possibly can , we 're putting as many resources as we can into the scientists who are leading this .
`` We 've got three potential vaccines , two of which are world leaders , but we 're working with countries around the world so that whoever makes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get it . ''
Café owner Ryan Enever asks about the two-metre rule , which he says will never work in his premises because it is too small .
Hancock : `` The business secretary is working on the rules for safe working so that , when we get the rate of new infections down we can work on how people can get people back to work as safely as possible .
`` We 're going to say more about that very shortly .
`` The two-metre rule is based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more you reduce it the more easily the virus spreads , and it is n't linear so if you half it you do n't just double the likelihood of the virus spreading you increase it exponentially .
`` So we 're very careful to follow the clinical advice on the two-metre rule , but there 's also very strong evidence that outdoors the spread is much , much lower so there may be workarounds that some businesses , for instance cafes especially over the summer , might be able to put into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a young cancer patient in London and all of my appointments have been cancelled .
Why is the Excel centre in east London not being used as the epicentre of COVID-19 freeing up hospital space and making it safe for other serious illness treatment ?
Hancock : `` We 're taking this principle , which is a very sensible principle , and putting it into place within existing hospitals , within the mainstream hospitals .
`` The reason for that is because many people with coronavirus also have other conditions , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only have coronavirus and do n't have other underlying health conditions .
`` Within hospitals we are separating them into COVID and non-COVID areas and that means that if people have more seriously complications they 're actually safer in a full blown hospital that has the full blown intensive care capabilities .
`` It 's safer if you 've got coronavirus to be treated in a mainstream hospital . ''
Burley : Cancer patients are still going to have to wait longer than normal are n't they ?
Hancock : We are restarting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some cancer treatments when it takes your immune system right down to zero that that is not a wise thing to do when there is an epidemic going on .
`` That 's irrespective of what 's available in the NHS , but a lot of cancer treatment has carried on through the crisis because it 's time critical and those parts that we stopped for less time critical cancers , no cancer is not time critical , we 're now beginning to restart and doing that in a safe way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if you are advised by your clinician to go to a hospital appointment you should go because they will have taken into account the risk from COVID-19 as well . ''
Dr Uchenna Okoye : Patients are in pain and primary dental care is in danger of collapse - what are you going to do about it ?
Hancock : `` Dentistry is another really important area we want to get started again as soon as it is safe to do so .
`` There have been arrangements put in place for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have got something urgent , there are almost 200 centres around England for emergency dental care .
`` But we have advised people not to take up routine dental check-ups , in fact I 've had to delay mine , and that is obviously an important precaution because by its nature your dentist is close to you when they 're looking at your teeth .
`` I 'm working with the British Dental Association , I understand the impact because many people pay privately to go to the dentist and that of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dentists alongside the lack of NHS work because we 're not recommending people go for routine check-ups .
`` So it is really important we support our dentists through this period . ''
Burley : When do you think the practices will be open again ?
Hancock : `` As part of the restart of the NHS that 's something we 're working on , hopefully within weeks or months . ''
Carla Tombs : Can there be some guidance on when cancelled operations due to COVID-19 would be rebooked ?
As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is absolutely soul-destroying knowing each day I am waiting my chances of becoming a mother are just slipping by Hancock : `` It is heartbreaking and I 've seen the wonders of IVF within my own family , not me personally but close family , so I know how important it is for you Carla and other people in your circumstances .
`` I 'm really pleased we have been able to restart fertility treatment , of course it was paused for over a month and there will be a backlog to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to get that restart going and I very much hope Carla , that you get your appointment sooner rather than later . ''
John Allan : Did you sacrifice elderly people in care homes so you could ensure the NHS was n't overwhelmed ?
Hancock : `` We did n't do this .
From the start , we 've worked very hard to protect people in care homes .
`` Until this crisis there has n't been as much discussion in the public debate about the support that is given to people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really glad that actually one of the things that has happened as we 've gone through this crisis is that there has been much more discussion of that .
`` We put in place the first guidance to care homes in February , and when large number of people left hospital to make space for people with COVID-19 that was before there were many cases of coronavirus and then since then we 've put in place the rules that are in place , in England at least , for testing everybody as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Burley : Should you have done that to start with ?
`` The problem was that the testing did n't exist in this country and we 've had to build that throughout the crisis .
`` I feel like we put a lot of effort and resources into supporting care homes from the start , maybe we should have explained that more clearly .
`` The challenge with care homes in this crisis is that many of the most vulnerable people to coronavirus , because it hits older people much harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by their nature they are some of the most vulnerable areas .
`` There will be a time for going over the history of this , but now the most important thing is that we protect people in care homes as much as possible including using the new testing to make sure we protect people in care homes .
`` It would have been wonderful if we 'd gone into the crisis with a global scale diagnostics industry , in the way Germany did , but we went in more like countries like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capability almost from scratch .
`` Now we 're able to have those tests , those asymptomatic tests , not be a lack of effort from the people on my team who 've been absolutely amazing on this but because we just did n't have that capacity as a country . ''
James : When will I be allowed to go back to college ?
Hancock : We did n't want to shut schools and colleges but we had to because although children do n't suffer the consequences of COVID-19 as much as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` That means that colleges and schools are a place where lots of people from different households come and mix so it is a real spreader environment .
`` Colleges and schools were perfectly safe for children but they could help spread the disease .
`` We 're considering now how we can get that restarted in a safe way when it is right to do so .
`` It 's too soon . ''
`` I have three children who are currently home schooling and I 'm not able to help with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - she has to put a huge amount of effort into it as well .
`` We know it is imperfect , but at least thanks to technology it 's better than it might have been in the past .
`` I totally understand the frustration of those who want to get back to school , in fact I admire children who want to go back to school because they want their social lives as well .
Burley : It wo n't be until September will it ?
`` It 's just so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussing that we get the rate of new transmissions down and if there is something we can do before then then we will - but I ca n't make any promises '' .
`` It 's tempting to give concrete answers and I 'm not dodging the question , I 'm answering really directly .
`` We do n't know because we 've got to see the progress of the disease and we do n't know how people are going to behave in terms of the lockdown measures .
`` I understand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , will it be September , what age groups will it be because of course other countries have taken different decisions for different age groups .
`` I 'm tempted to prejudge those decisions but we do n't yet have the data but we are coming to a position where relatively soon we might be able to say so . ''
Burley : In the next two weeks ?
John Fletcher : Can it really be just a coincidence that the virus originated in a city where there are two laboratories researching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked into this and we do n't have any evidence that this is a manmade coronavirus .
`` I understand what John is getting at , but we have n't seen any evidence of that link . ''
Burley : Have the Americans shared any evidence with us at all ?
Because we heard from the US president and he said that there is a link ?
`` The president phrased his comments very carefully .
We have n't seen any evidence of a link , so there 's nothing I 've seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to that I know is something people are talking about .
`` The evidence appears to be that at some point the disease jumped from an animal to a human , and trying to make sure that does n't happen again that is in the global interest , it 's not just a matter for one country . ''
Stewart Deeks : Donald Trump rated his performance during the pandemic as 10/10 .
How would you rate your own performance ?
Hancock : I 'd say I 'm constantly trying to learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what can be improved , and there are some things we 've had to change because they did n't work first time around .
`` I think I 'd give you a more humble response than the president - I 'm not going to put a figure on it , obviously .
`` I 'll give you one example of something we learnt and changed ... we put in place guidance around funerals and that guidance was interpreted in a different way to what we expected and then I saw that some funerals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby and that was terrible , so we changed the guidance .
`` We should have put the updated guidance in in the first place and said to everyone it is okay to have a small number of members of your family at a funeral - of course you can socially distance at a funeral as long as there are n't too many people there . ''
Burley : What other mistakes have you made ?
`` I do n't know - there 'll be a time for reviews . ''
Burley : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down ?
`` I do n't feel that , because I feel highly motivated to get it right .
`` That includes listening to the accusations you get and the criticism and saying 'Well where have they got a point and what can we learn from it ? '
.
`` I get up in the morning and think 'What can I do today to try to get this country the best possible response ? '
and then I work on that all day and then I go to bed and I get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Occasionally I get a few hours off - this weekend I was able to play frisbee in the park with the kids and so take some exercise .
`` So I do try to take a couple of hours off at the weekend , so you 've just got to do everything you can do to get the response right . ''
Burley : Are you fully better now ?
`` Yes .
Fortunately it was only mild , other people have had it much worse than me .
Burley : What was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours it was really tough , I had a really sore throat and I could n't eat or drink and I had the aching in my muscles that lots of people talk about .
`` Fortunately it did n't seem to get on to my lungs so breathing was n't particularly a problem and I was tired .
`` It was quite short and then fortunately I bounced out of it relatively fast . ''
Burley : Where you surprised at how badly affected the prime minister was ?
`` Yeah , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time ...
I talked to him all the way through it and in the first few days we seemed to be very much on a par and then I just got better and he did n't .
`` That was strange ...
It does seem to hit people sometimes a second time because then it came and suddenly he went downhill and it was quite sudden how he went downhill the second time .
`` We 've all seen the videos in the public domain and him coming out to Clap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a ghost , and it hit him very hard . ''
Burley : We 've got the highest number of deaths in Europe , how can that be ?
Were we not prepared ?
`` We 've got to be very cautious with this data , we 've got to be very careful how we describe it .
`` We 're one of the biggest countries in Europe and that matters , so there are smaller countries that naturally will have smaller number of deaths .
`` Spain and Italy do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we did n't used to as it is harder to count deaths in the community and care homes and we now do so you 'll have seen early last week there was a rise in the number of published deaths here and that 's because we include all deaths from coronavirus not just those in hospital .
`` So Spain and Italy are smaller countries and they do n't include all deaths in their figures so you 've got to be very careful about essentially comparing like with like .
`` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it 's only afterwards and looking back on the total number of people who have died during the peak compared to the normal number ... that you can make those comparisons . ''
David Lipscombe : What if the trials for the new app on the Isle of Wight are not successful , do you have a plan B ?
Hancock : `` Yes we do , we 'll look at doing it in a different way and increase the number of human tracers , because the app is only part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing , human contact tracing and then technology .
It 's all about tracing the virus and following the virus as it spreads .
`` We would n't know where people are all the time , I 've seen those concerns and they are wrong , they are not based on what 's happening in the app .
`` The point of the app is that the data is shared on your own phone until you choose to go to the NHS because you get a test if you 've got positive symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this and questions about this but they are based on a misunderstanding of what the app does and to prove the point we 've published the source code of the app so anyone can go and have a look at how it works and how it protects your privacy while also being so important for the health of the nation .
`` It protects you , it protects the people you are close to and it protects the community .
`` We have taken concerns into account , we have an ethics advisory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data impact assessment and all of the information around this but we 've published the source code so you can see what the app does .
`` And if you download the app the data of who you are in contact with stays on your phone , it does n't go to us until you come to us and say I 've got the symptoms I need a positive test . ''
Burley : A final thought , what are you most looking forward to when lockdown ends ?
Hancock : `` Going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in London , I have n't been to Suffolk to my constituency for probably two months now .
`` I can still do my job as a local MP through emails and phones , but just getting out to the countryside , getting lungfuls of fresh air . ''

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has answered questions from Sky News viewers and readers in a Q&A hosted by Kay Burley.
Here are his full responses to your coronavirus questions.
Doug McLaren: Has Prof Neil Ferguson been fined by the police for breaking lockdown rules? And if not, why not?
Hancock: "I don't know. The first I heard about this was when I read it in the newspapers... But clearly the social distancing rules are there for everyone - they're incredibly important and they're deadly serious.
"And the reason is because they're the means by which we've been able to get control of this virus."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:45 Hancock 'speechless' over Prof Ferguson scandal
Burley: Should he be prosecuted?
"You could imagine what my views are... It's a matter for the police, as a government minister I'm not allowed to get involved in the operational decisions of police matters but I think the social distancing rules are very important and people should follow them."
Burley: You said you read it in the papers, what did you think when you read it? Did you bang your head on the desk?
"It's extraordinary - I don't understand it.
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"I am [speechless] - that doesn't often happen to me Kay, but I am.
"Professor Ferguson is a very eminent and impressive scientist and the science he has done has been an important part of what we've listened to and I think he took the right decision to resign."
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Burley: One of his defences was that he'd already had COVID-19, so as a result it was okay not to social distance?
"I asked exactly the same question of England's chief medical officer after I'd had coronavirus, and normally there is immunity and your much lower risk from the coronavirus if you've had it recently but we don't know that for sure.
"We all have to abide by social distancing.
"We do have a scientific survey in the field, right now, to find out if people who've definitely had it because they've tested positive and have the antibodies do they get it again.
"And if they don't then we'll know scientifically that people who've had it and have been tested to have the antibodies that they can go about in a much more low risk way.
"If that science comes through, as we do expect it to, then we will be able to say people are lower risk if they've had that positive antibody test, but we don't know that yet and that's why everyone has to follow the social distancing rules."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 'How long will I have to go on shielding?'
Linda Hurst: I'm in the shielding category. Will I have to wait for a vaccine before I hug my children and grandchildren again?
Hancock: "Those who are shielded, are those who have specifically received a letter from the NHS saying they are clinically extremely vulnerable to the disease.
"This is not the rule for all over 70s, who are in a different category, so the answer I'm going to give relates to the shielded who have specifically received a letter from the NHS.
"We asked those who are being shielding to avoid as much human contact as possible, for 12 weeks, we may have to extend those 12 weeks but we hope not to.
"We may well be able to release some of those measures before a vaccine is available, if we can get the level of new cases right down.
"So in some countries they've managed to now get the number of new cases right down and, if we get there, if we succeed in doing that, then we will be able to take clinical advice on whether it's safe for those who are shielded to hug their grandchildren.
"I understand the emotional impact this is having and there are many people who haven't left their homes for six weeks or so, that is a long time especially if you don't have a garden, so that's right at the front of my mind.
"Making sure we get the rules around those who are shielded right is really important and we will take into account not just the impact of coronavirus but the wider impact on people's physical and mental health from being stuck at home for such a long time."
Brian McCarvel: What if a vaccine cannot be found for COVID-19?
Hancock: "If a vaccine can't be found then we have to learn to find a way to live with this virus - which means getting the numbers right down and then holding them down through, for instance, mass scale testing and chasing the virus through a combination of technology and human virus tracers.
"And of course we're working on treatments, that is to say drugs that can make sure if you do get ill with coronavirus it isn't life-threatening in the way it is now.
"It is not a guarantee that we will find a vaccine, we're doing everything we possibly can, we're putting as many resources as we can into the scientists who are leading this.
"We've got three potential vaccines, two of which are world leaders, but we're working with countries around the world so that whoever makes the first successful vaccine we'll be able to get it."
Café owner Ryan Enever asks about the two-metre rule, which he says will never work in his premises because it is too small.
Hancock: "The business secretary is working on the rules for safe working so that, when we get the rate of new infections down we can work on how people can get people back to work as safely as possible.
"We're going to say more about that very shortly.
"The two-metre rule is based on the best scientific advice and the problem is the more you reduce it the more easily the virus spreads, and it isn't linear so if you half it you don't just double the likelihood of the virus spreading you increase it exponentially.
"So we're very careful to follow the clinical advice on the two-metre rule, but there's also very strong evidence that outdoors the spread is much, much lower so there may be workarounds that some businesses, for instance cafes especially over the summer, might be able to put into place."
Joe: I'm a young cancer patient in London and all of my appointments have been cancelled. Why is the Excel centre in east London not being used as the epicentre of COVID-19 freeing up hospital space and making it safe for other serious illness treatment?
Hancock: "We're taking this principle, which is a very sensible principle, and putting it into place within existing hospitals, within the mainstream hospitals.
"The reason for that is because many people with coronavirus also have other conditions, and the Excel centre is designed for people who only have coronavirus and don't have other underlying health conditions.
"Within hospitals we are separating them into COVID and non-COVID areas and that means that if people have more seriously complications they're actually safer in a full blown hospital that has the full blown intensive care capabilities.
"It's safer if you've got coronavirus to be treated in a mainstream hospital."
Burley: Cancer patients are still going to have to wait longer than normal aren't they?
Hancock: We are restarting cancer treatment but there is a challenge with some cancer treatments when it takes your immune system right down to zero that that is not a wise thing to do when there is an epidemic going on.
"That's irrespective of what's available in the NHS, but a lot of cancer treatment has carried on through the crisis because it's time critical and those parts that we stopped for less time critical cancers, no cancer is not time critical, we're now beginning to restart and doing that in a safe way.
"The critical message for viewers is that if you are advised by your clinician to go to a hospital appointment you should go because they will have taken into account the risk from COVID-19 as well."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:43 'What will the govt do to help struggling dentists?'
Dr Uchenna Okoye: Patients are in pain and primary dental care is in danger of collapse - what are you going to do about it?
Hancock: "Dentistry is another really important area we want to get started again as soon as it is safe to do so.
"There have been arrangements put in place for emergency dental care, so for patients who have got something urgent, there are almost 200 centres around England for emergency dental care.
"But we have advised people not to take up routine dental check-ups, in fact I've had to delay mine, and that is obviously an important precaution because by its nature your dentist is close to you when they're looking at your teeth.
"I'm working with the British Dental Association, I understand the impact because many people pay privately to go to the dentist and that of course is having a business impact on dentists alongside the lack of NHS work because we're not recommending people go for routine check-ups.
"So it is really important we support our dentists through this period."
Burley: When do you think the practices will be open again?
Hancock: "As part of the restart of the NHS that's something we're working on, hopefully within weeks or months."
Carla Tombs: Can there be some guidance on when cancelled operations due to COVID-19 would be rebooked? As a woman of 34 with serve fertility issues it is absolutely soul-destroying knowing each day I am waiting my chances of becoming a mother are just slipping by
Hancock: "It is heartbreaking and I've seen the wonders of IVF within my own family, not me personally but close family, so I know how important it is for you Carla and other people in your circumstances.
"I'm really pleased we have been able to restart fertility treatment, of course it was paused for over a month and there will be a backlog to get through - but we've been able to get that restart going and I very much hope Carla, that you get your appointment sooner rather than later."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:19 'Did you sacrifice care home residents to help the NHS?'
John Allan: Did you sacrifice elderly people in care homes so you could ensure the NHS wasn't overwhelmed?
Hancock: "We didn't do this. From the start, we've worked very hard to protect people in care homes.
"Until this crisis there hasn't been as much discussion in the public debate about the support that is given to people in care homes, and I'm really glad that actually one of the things that has happened as we've gone through this crisis is that there has been much more discussion of that.
"We put in place the first guidance to care homes in February, and when large number of people left hospital to make space for people with COVID-19 that was before there were many cases of coronavirus and then since then we've put in place the rules that are in place, in England at least, for testing everybody as they leave hospital to go into care homes."
Burley: Should you have done that to start with?
"The problem was that the testing didn't exist in this country and we've had to build that throughout the crisis.
"I feel like we put a lot of effort and resources into supporting care homes from the start, maybe we should have explained that more clearly.
"The challenge with care homes in this crisis is that many of the most vulnerable people to coronavirus, because it hits older people much harder, are in care homes, so by their nature they are some of the most vulnerable areas.
"There will be a time for going over the history of this, but now the most important thing is that we protect people in care homes as much as possible including using the new testing to make sure we protect people in care homes.
"It would have been wonderful if we'd gone into the crisis with a global scale diagnostics industry, in the way Germany did, but we went in more like countries like France who've had to build testing capability almost from scratch.
"Now we're able to have those tests, those asymptomatic tests, not be a lack of effort from the people on my team who've been absolutely amazing on this but because we just didn't have that capacity as a country."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 'When will I be able to go back to college?'
James: When will I be allowed to go back to college?
Hancock: We didn't want to shut schools and colleges but we had to because although children don't suffer the consequences of COVID-19 as much as adults... they still spread it.
"That means that colleges and schools are a place where lots of people from different households come and mix so it is a real spreader environment.
"Colleges and schools were perfectly safe for children but they could help spread the disease.
"We're considering now how we can get that restarted in a safe way when it is right to do so.
"It's too soon."
"I have three children who are currently home schooling and I'm not able to help with that very much but my wife is - she has to put a huge amount of effort into it as well.
"We know it is imperfect, but at least thanks to technology it's better than it might have been in the past.
"I totally understand the frustration of those who want to get back to school, in fact I admire children who want to go back to school because they want their social lives as well.
Burley: It won't be until September will it?
"It's just so important for all the reasons we're discussing that we get the rate of new transmissions down and if there is something we can do before then then we will - but I can't make any promises".
"It's tempting to give concrete answers and I'm not dodging the question, I'm answering really directly.
"We don't know because we've got to see the progress of the disease and we don't know how people are going to behave in terms of the lockdown measures.
"I understand the frustration of people over will it be June, will it be September, what age groups will it be because of course other countries have taken different decisions for different age groups.
"I'm tempted to prejudge those decisions but we don't yet have the data but we are coming to a position where relatively soon we might be able to say so."
Burley: In the next two weeks?
"I hope so."
John Fletcher: Can it really be just a coincidence that the virus originated in a city where there are two laboratories researching coronavirus?
Hancock: "We have looked into this and we don't have any evidence that this is a manmade coronavirus.
"I understand what John is getting at, but we haven't seen any evidence of that link."
Burley: Have the Americans shared any evidence with us at all? Because we heard from the US president and he said that there is a link?
"The president phrased his comments very carefully. We haven't seen any evidence of a link, so there's nothing I've seen that confirms the allegation that John is referring to that I know is something people are talking about.
"The evidence appears to be that at some point the disease jumped from an animal to a human, and trying to make sure that doesn't happen again that is in the global interest, it's not just a matter for one country."
Stewart Deeks: Donald Trump rated his performance during the pandemic as 10/10. How would you rate your own performance?
Hancock: I'd say I'm constantly trying to learn and understand what's gone well and what can be improved, and there are some things we've had to change because they didn't work first time around.
"I think I'd give you a more humble response than the president - I'm not going to put a figure on it, obviously.
"I'll give you one example of something we learnt and changed... we put in place guidance around funerals and that guidance was interpreted in a different way to what we expected and then I saw that some funerals were taking place with no loved ones nearby and that was terrible, so we changed the guidance.
"We should have put the updated guidance in in the first place and said to everyone it is okay to have a small number of members of your family at a funeral - of course you can socially distance at a funeral as long as there aren't too many people there."
Burley: What other mistakes have you made?
"I don't know - there'll be a time for reviews."
Burley: Does the burden of responsibility weigh you down?
"I don't feel that, because I feel highly motivated to get it right.
"That includes listening to the accusations you get and the criticism and saying 'Well where have they got a point and what can we learn from it?'.
"I get up in the morning and think 'What can I do today to try to get this country the best possible response?' and then I work on that all day and then I go to bed and I get up and do the same.
"Occasionally I get a few hours off - this weekend I was able to play frisbee in the park with the kids and so take some exercise.
"So I do try to take a couple of hours off at the weekend, so you've just got to do everything you can do to get the response right."
Burley: Are you fully better now?
"Yes. Fortunately it was only mild, other people have had it much worse than me.
Burley: What was it like?
"For about 48 hours it was really tough, I had a really sore throat and I couldn't eat or drink and I had the aching in my muscles that lots of people talk about.
"Fortunately it didn't seem to get on to my lungs so breathing wasn't particularly a problem and I was tired.
"It was quite short and then fortunately I bounced out of it relatively fast."
Burley: Where you surprised at how badly affected the prime minister was?
"Yeah, because both of us got it at around the same time... I talked to him all the way through it and in the first few days we seemed to be very much on a par and then I just got better and he didn't.
"That was strange... It does seem to hit people sometimes a second time because then it came and suddenly he went downhill and it was quite sudden how he went downhill the second time.
"We've all seen the videos in the public domain and him coming out to Clap for Carers on Thursday night, looking like a ghost, and it hit him very hard."
Burley: We've got the highest number of deaths in Europe, how can that be? Were we not prepared?
"We've got to be very cautious with this data, we've got to be very careful how we describe it.
"We're one of the biggest countries in Europe and that matters, so there are smaller countries that naturally will have smaller number of deaths.
"Spain and Italy don't include deaths outside hospitals in their figures, we didn't used to as it is harder to count deaths in the community and care homes and we now do so you'll have seen early last week there was a rise in the number of published deaths here and that's because we include all deaths from coronavirus not just those in hospital.
"So Spain and Italy are smaller countries and they don't include all deaths in their figures so you've got to be very careful about essentially comparing like with like.
"If you speak to the statisticians they say that it's only afterwards and looking back on the total number of people who have died during the peak compared to the normal number... that you can make those comparisons."
David Lipscombe: What if the trials for the new app on the Isle of Wight are not successful, do you have a plan B?
Hancock: "Yes we do, we'll look at doing it in a different way and increase the number of human tracers, because the app is only part of a whole programme.
"There's testing, human contact tracing and then technology. It's all about tracing the virus and following the virus as it spreads.
"We wouldn't know where people are all the time, I've seen those concerns and they are wrong, they are not based on what's happening in the app.
"The point of the app is that the data is shared on your own phone until you choose to go to the NHS because you get a test if you've got positive symptoms.
"I've seen articles about this and questions about this but they are based on a misunderstanding of what the app does and to prove the point we've published the source code of the app so anyone can go and have a look at how it works and how it protects your privacy while also being so important for the health of the nation.
"It protects you, it protects the people you are close to and it protects the community.
"We have taken concerns into account, we have an ethics advisory board, we'll be publishing the data impact assessment and all of the information around this but we've published the source code so you can see what the app does.
"And if you download the app the data of who you are in contact with stays on your phone, it doesn't go to us until you come to us and say I've got the symptoms I need a positive test."
Burley: A final thought, what are you most looking forward to when lockdown ends?
Hancock: "Going to Suffolk. I've been stuck in London, I haven't been to Suffolk to my constituency for probably two months now.
"I can still do my job as a local MP through emails and phones, but just getting out to the countryside, getting lungfuls of fresh air."


news--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: Heathrow Airport to begin trial of temperature screening technology

Heathrow is to try out temperature screening technology to monitor people moving through the airport for signs of coronavirus .
Other measures under review include UV sanitation to quickly cleanse the trays at security and procedures to reduce person-to-person contact .
The thermal screening technology is the first to be trialled and will start in the next two weeks in the immigration halls of terminal 2 .
It will scan people as they move through the terminal and monitor their temperature - a fever is one of the commons symptoms of the virus .
If the trial goes well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other areas such as departures and connections .
Air travel has plummeted since the pandemic began with the likes of British Airways and Virgin laying off thousands of staff .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Heathrow 's boss says the airport wants to help development of a new international standard to reduce the COVID-19 risk for travellers .
John Holland-Kaye told the Commons ' transport committee on Wednesday : `` Aviation is the cornerstone of the UK economy , and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help restart aviation .
`` The UK has the world 's third-largest aviation sector , offering the platform for the government to take a lead in agreeing a common international standard for aviation health with our main trading partners .
`` This standard is key to minimising transmission of COVID-19 across borders , and the technology we are trialling at Heathrow could be part of the solution . ''
Temperature screening is already being used in some other airports - Hong Kong is even testing out cleaning robots and a full-body disinfectant booth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clothes in 40 seconds .
It comes amid doubts about whether social distancing can work properly in crowded terminals .
Mr Holland-Kaye said earlier this week that it would mean kilometre-long queues to board each jet .
Heathrow 's boss warned that major UK airports simply do not have enough space .
`` Forget social distancing , it wo n't work in aviation or any other form of public transport , and the problem is not the plane , it is the lack of space in the airport , '' he wrote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jumbo jet would require a queue a kilometre long . ''
Strategies to reduce the virus risk on planes are also being considered by some airlines , with easyJet saying it plans to keep middle seats free to create more space between passengers .

Heathrow is to try out temperature screening technology to monitor people moving through the airport for signs of coronavirus.
Other measures under review include UV sanitation to quickly cleanse the trays at security and procedures to reduce person-to-person contact.
The thermal screening technology is the first to be trialled and will start in the next two weeks in the immigration halls of terminal 2.
It will scan people as they move through the terminal and monitor their temperature - a fever is one of the commons symptoms of the virus.
If the trial goes well, the equipment will be rolled out to other areas such as departures and connections.
Air travel has plummeted since the pandemic began with the likes of British Airways and Virgin laying off thousands of staff.
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Heathrow's boss says the airport wants to help development of a new international standard to reduce the COVID-19 risk for travellers.
John Holland-Kaye told the Commons' transport committee on Wednesday: "Aviation is the cornerstone of the UK economy, and to restart the economy the government needs to help restart aviation.
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Image: Airports are trying to decide on measures that can give people confidence to fly again
"The UK has the world's third-largest aviation sector, offering the platform for the government to take a lead in agreeing a common international standard for aviation health with our main trading partners.
"This standard is key to minimising transmission of COVID-19 across borders, and the technology we are trialling at Heathrow could be part of the solution."
Temperature screening is already being used in some other airports - Hong Kong is even testing out cleaning robots and a full-body disinfectant booth said to sanitise passengers' bodies and clothes in 40 seconds.
It comes amid doubts about whether social distancing can work properly in crowded terminals.
Image: Hong Kong airport is trialling a full-body disinfectant booth. Pic: Hong Kong International Airport
Mr Holland-Kaye said earlier this week that it would mean kilometre-long queues to board each jet.
Heathrow's boss warned that major UK airports simply do not have enough space.
"Forget social distancing, it won't work in aviation or any other form of public transport, and the problem is not the plane, it is the lack of space in the airport," he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
"Just one jumbo jet would require a queue a kilometre long."
Strategies to reduce the virus risk on planes are also being considered by some airlines, with easyJet saying it plans to keep middle seats free to create more space between passengers.


news--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: Germany to reopen shops, allow two households to meet and resume Bundesliga

Germany is planning to ease its coronavirus restrictions further to allow for household meet-ups , reopening of shops and the resuming of the Bundesliga football season .
Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced the latest relaxation of measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic , saying the first phase had passed , but warned of a long road ahead .
In the new phase of the country 's response , people from two separate households will be permitted to meet up , while Bundesliga football matches will be held in the latter half of May .
More shops will also be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while people will be required to continue observing social distancing measures .
Mouth and nose coverings will also be required on public transport .
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon , Mrs Merkel said she believed the pandemic was , to some extent , under control in Germany , and stressed the next phase of the national response would depend on people cooperating .
`` We are following a bold path , '' she said after agreeing on the measures with the premiers of Germany 's 16 states , adding : `` We can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we must remain cautious . ''
It comes after the country - which has recorded 167,239 cases of COVID-19 and 6,993 deaths - began a tentative easing of restrictions in mid-April by allowing smaller shops to reopen and making face coverings on public transport mandatory .
Widespread testing has also been implemented during the weeks in lockdown to monitor the rate of transmission of the virus .
Details for resuming the Bundesliga football season since being paused in March are yet to be revealed , with the German Football League planning to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the first of five of Europe 's top domestic leagues to resume after the outbreak , and could see matches played without fans watching from the stands .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In a statement released after the announcement , Christian Seifert , the managing director of the German Football League , said the decision was `` good news '' for the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga divisions , and highlighted empty stands as the `` only way '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Games without stadium spectators are not an ideal solution for anyone .
In a crisis threatening the very existence of some clubs , however , it is the only way to keep the leagues in their current form .
`` On this day , I would like to thank the political decision-makers from the federal and state governments for their trust . ''
Meanwhile , Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said he was `` very pleased '' to see people had `` conducted themselves so magnificently '' that the spread of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : `` In this context , we at Borussia Dortmund are aware we have a great responsibility .
We will - in the knowledge there can be no guarantees - do everything in our power to ensure the highest-possible degree of safety in order to prevent any new infections among the players and their families .
`` Having to play behind closed doors is an enormous challenge , especially for a club like BVB , which draws a lot of strength from the passion of its supporters .
`` However , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clubs to allow the Bundesliga to pause until spectators were allowed back into the stadiums . ''

Germany is planning to ease its coronavirus restrictions further to allow for household meet-ups, reopening of shops and the resuming of the Bundesliga football season.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced the latest relaxation of measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the first phase had passed, but warned of a long road ahead.
In the new phase of the country's response, people from two separate households will be permitted to meet up, while Bundesliga football matches will be held in the latter half of May.
Image: Bayern Munich players have been training ahead of the planned return of the Bundesliga
More shops will also be allowed to reopen with additional hygiene measures in place, while people will be required to continue observing social distancing measures.
Mouth and nose coverings will also be required on public transport.
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Merkel said she believed the pandemic was, to some extent, under control in Germany, and stressed the next phase of the national response would depend on people cooperating.
"We are following a bold path," she said after agreeing on the measures with the premiers of Germany's 16 states, adding: "We can afford to be a bit bold but we must remain cautious."
It comes after the country - which has recorded 167,239 cases of COVID-19 and 6,993 deaths - began a tentative easing of restrictions in mid-April by allowing smaller shops to reopen and making face coverings on public transport mandatory.
Widespread testing has also been implemented during the weeks in lockdown to monitor the rate of transmission of the virus.
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Details for resuming the Bundesliga football season since being paused in March are yet to be revealed, with the German Football League planning to discuss dates later this week.
It will be the first of five of Europe's top domestic leagues to resume after the outbreak, and could see matches played without fans watching from the stands.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In a statement released after the announcement, Christian Seifert, the managing director of the German Football League, said the decision was "good news" for the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga divisions, and highlighted empty stands as the "only way" to continue.
He said: "Games without stadium spectators are not an ideal solution for anyone. In a crisis threatening the very existence of some clubs, however, it is the only way to keep the leagues in their current form.
"On this day, I would like to thank the political decision-makers from the federal and state governments for their trust."
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said he was "very pleased" to see people had "conducted themselves so magnificently" that the spread of COVID-19 had been brought under control.
He added: "In this context, we at Borussia Dortmund are aware we have a great responsibility. We will - in the knowledge there can be no guarantees - do everything in our power to ensure the highest-possible degree of safety in order to prevent any new infections among the players and their families.
"Having to play behind closed doors is an enormous challenge, especially for a club like BVB, which draws a lot of strength from the passion of its supporters.
"However, it would not have been economically viable for the clubs to allow the Bundesliga to pause until spectators were allowed back into the stadiums."


news--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: Matt Hancock 'speechless' at 'extraordinary' actions of Professor Neil Ferguson

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told Sky News he was `` speechless '' after it emerged one of the government 's key scientific advisers had broken the UK 's lockdown rules .
Mr Hancock described the actions of Professor Neil Ferguson as `` extraordinary '' , after it emerged he allowed Antonia Staats , who is reported to be his lover , to visit him at home - in breach of official social distancing rules .
The Metropolitan Police , who have powers to act against those breaching lockdown restrictions , described Prof Ferguson 's behaviour as `` plainly disappointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Professor Ferguson has accepted that he made an error of judgement and has taken responsibility for that , '' a spokeswoman said .
`` We therefore do not intend to take any further action . ''
Prof Ferguson , an academic at London 's Imperial College , has now quit the government 's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , which plays a central role in the UK 's coronavirus response , following what he described as an `` error of judgement '' .
`` Professor Ferguson is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science that he has done has been an important part of what we 've listened to , '' Mr Hancock said .
`` I think he took the right decision to resign . ''
Asked if he thought Prof Ferguson should have been prosecuted for his apparent breach of lockdown rules , the health secretary added : `` It 's a matter for the police , as a government minister I 'm not allowed to get involved in the operational decisions of police matters .
`` But I think the social distancing rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them . ''
He added : `` They 'll take their decisions independently from ministers - that 's quite right , it 's always been like that .
`` And that 's why , even though I 've got a clear answer to what I think , as a minister , the way we run the police is that they make decisions like this .
`` So I give them their space to make that decision , but I think he took the right decision to resign . ''
Mr Hancock appeared on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary '' event with Kay Burley , to answer some of the thousands of questions submitted by members of the public .
Asked if he had fought to keep Prof Ferguson on SAGE , the health secretary replied : `` That 's just not possible in these circumstances . ''
Last month , Dr Catherine Calderwood quit as Scotland 's chief medical officer after making two trips to her second home .
She was issued with a warning by police about the UK 's social distancing rules .
Prof Ferguson explained he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was immune from COVID-19 , having previously tested positive for coronavirus and isolated himself for almost two weeks after developing symptoms .
Ms Staats was reported by the Daily Telegraph to live with her husband and their children in another house .
But Mr Hancock told Sky News that social distancing rules should be followed by everyone , even if they have already had coronavirus .
The health secretary revealed he himself had asked a similar question about immunity of England 's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty , when he contracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Normally there 's immunity and you 're at much lower risk of coronavirus , if you 've had it recently , but we do n't know that for sure , '' Mr Hancock said .
`` There 's so many new things about this coronavirus that we do n't know that that 's the case .
`` So I asked exactly that question of the chief medical officer - 'can I behave differently because I 've now had it ?
Do I still have to do the social distancing ? '
`` And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 'yes , we all have to abide by social distancing ' . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In mid-March , Prof Ferguson was the lead author of an Imperial College report which warned , without stringent social distancing measures , the UK could see 250,000 deaths .
Days later , the government announced the UK 's lockdown .
Analysis : Did the government fight to keep eminent scientist ?
The clear message is no By Tamara Cohen , political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headlines for the government as UK death rates surpassed the rest of Europe ; the government lost an eminent adviser to an embarrassing scandal - which the health secretary described as an `` extraordinary '' development which had left him `` speechless '' - and the chief scientist admitted ramping up testing earlier may have been `` beneficial '' .
Mr Hancock did not play down how influential a role Prof Ferguson 's modelling in March - predicting a surge in death rates to 250,000 without radical action - had played in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether the government had fought for their eminent scientist to stay on , he does n't appear to have been consulted but stressed that the guidance must be obeyed , and the question of whether having already had COVID-19 gives you immunity is far from settled .
Mr Hancock is seen as one of the cabinet 's lockdown hawks - insistent it must be kept going as long as necessary .

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told Sky News he was "speechless" after it emerged one of the government's key scientific advisers had broken the UK's lockdown rules.
Mr Hancock described the actions of Professor Neil Ferguson as "extraordinary", after it emerged he allowed Antonia Staats, who is reported to be his lover, to visit him at home - in breach of official social distancing rules.
The Metropolitan Police, who have powers to act against those breaching lockdown restrictions, described Prof Ferguson's behaviour as "plainly disappointing" but will not pursue the matter.
"Professor Ferguson has accepted that he made an error of judgement and has taken responsibility for that," a spokeswoman said.
"We therefore do not intend to take any further action."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:35 'I don't understand': Hancock on Ferguson scandal
Prof Ferguson, an academic at London's Imperial College, has now quit the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), which plays a central role in the UK's coronavirus response, following what he described as an "error of judgement".
"Professor Ferguson is a very eminent and impressive scientist and the science that he has done has been an important part of what we've listened to," Mr Hancock said.
"I think he took the right decision to resign."
Asked if he thought Prof Ferguson should have been prosecuted for his apparent breach of lockdown rules, the health secretary added: "It's a matter for the police, as a government minister I'm not allowed to get involved in the operational decisions of police matters.
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"But I think the social distancing rules are very important and people should follow them."
He added: "They'll take their decisions independently from ministers - that's quite right, it's always been like that.
"And that's why, even though I've got a clear answer to what I think, as a minister, the way we run the police is that they make decisions like this.
"So I give them their space to make that decision, but I think he took the right decision to resign."
Mr Hancock appeared on Sky News' "Ask the Health Secretary" event with Kay Burley, to answer some of the thousands of questions submitted by members of the public.
Asked if he had fought to keep Prof Ferguson on SAGE, the health secretary replied: "That's just not possible in these circumstances."
Last month, Dr Catherine Calderwood quit as Scotland's chief medical officer after making two trips to her second home.
She was issued with a warning by police about the UK's social distancing rules.
Prof Ferguson explained he had "acted in the belief" that he was immune from COVID-19, having previously tested positive for coronavirus and isolated himself for almost two weeks after developing symptoms.
Ms Staats was reported by the Daily Telegraph to live with her husband and their children in another house.
But Mr Hancock told Sky News that social distancing rules should be followed by everyone, even if they have already had coronavirus.
The health secretary revealed he himself had asked a similar question about immunity of England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, when he contracted and then recovered from COVID-19.
"Normally there's immunity and you're at much lower risk of coronavirus, if you've had it recently, but we don't know that for sure," Mr Hancock said.
"There's so many new things about this coronavirus that we don't know that that's the case.
"So I asked exactly that question of the chief medical officer - 'can I behave differently because I've now had it? Do I still have to do the social distancing?'
"And the answer was very clear, which is 'yes, we all have to abide by social distancing'."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In mid-March, Prof Ferguson was the lead author of an Imperial College report which warned, without stringent social distancing measures, the UK could see 250,000 deaths.
Days later, the government announced the UK's lockdown.
Analysis: Did the government fight to keep eminent scientist? The clear message is no
By Tamara Cohen, political correspondent
It's a day of grim headlines for the government as UK death rates surpassed the rest of Europe; the government lost an eminent adviser to an embarrassing scandal - which the health secretary described as an "extraordinary" development which had left him "speechless" - and the chief scientist admitted ramping up testing earlier may have been "beneficial".
Mr Hancock did not play down how influential a role Prof Ferguson's modelling in March - predicting a surge in death rates to 250,000 without radical action - had played in the lockdown strategy.
But, as to whether the government had fought for their eminent scientist to stay on, he doesn't appear to have been consulted but stressed that the guidance must be obeyed, and the question of whether having already had COVID-19 gives you immunity is far from settled.
Mr Hancock is seen as one of the cabinet's lockdown hawks - insistent it must be kept going as long as necessary.


news--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: 'Unrecognisable' pandemic proving 'incredibly challenging', says senior UK epidemiologi

Coronavirus: 'Unrecognisable' pandemic proving 'incredibly challenging', says senior UK epidemiologist

A top epidemiologist working on the government 's response to COVID-19 has told Sky News the spread of the disease is `` a global pandemic that is unrecognisable '' and is proving `` incredibly challenging '' .
But Trish Mannes , deputy director for health protection at Public Health England South East , said the government 's recruitment of `` an army of 18,000 contact tracers '' is on track .
Ms Mannes is a senior epidemiologist with more than 20 years ' experience in preventing infectious disease outbreaks .
She leads contact tracing teams in the south east of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the outbreak to help contain the spread of the coronavirus when the first clusters were identified .
`` The interviews took many hours , '' she told Sky News .
`` We go to the person , we ask about their symptoms and the point at which they became unwell .
`` We asked them to describe in detail what those symptoms are , so that we can work out the point where they may have been infectious .
And we get a detailed history .
`` You can imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacts , so anyone who 's been within two metres for more than 15 minutes , so that close contact could include someone in a shop , a pub .
`` So we absolutely have to go through a really detailed timeline of every day , each bit of the day , who you work with , who you live with , who you might socialise with outside of work . ''
Senior contact tracers have scientific or medical backgrounds so , when they work through a detailed timeline of an infected person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when that person was most likely to infect others .
`` We work with an incredibly specialist workforce who are absolutely trained for this , '' Ms Mannes said .
`` This is what we do .
The difference is this is at scale . ''
Once the coronavirus outbreak was widespread and community transmission was occurring in the UK , contact tracing became less urgent and less effective .
The lockdown measures , in the `` delay '' phase of the government 's response , stopped the virus from spreading any further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks at easing the lockdown , contact tracing will be key in preventing any further outbreaks .
Ms Mannes said : `` We 've never stopped contact tracing .
We continue to contact trace .
We just changed the focus .
`` If you can imagine , the point where that announcement was made was actually when everyone was told to self-isolate and distance from others .
`` And , in particular , people who had symptoms were told to go home and stay home for seven days and their families and households @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , that was most of the advice that we were giving to the general population if they were identified as a contact .
`` So you can imagine the urgency of the community contact tracing went out of that because people were being advised to minimise their distance from others .
`` And that 's certainly been the case up to this point .
`` The change in approach to contact tracing is absolutely core to being able to relax those social distancing measures . ''
The COVID-19 app launched this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in tandem with trained contact tracers .
Both will be crucial if the government 's `` test , trace and isolate '' strategy is to prove successful .
As people begin to move around again there is a risk of a second wave of infections .
`` I think the government 's being very clear about this , the focus is about bringing the reproductive number below one , '' Ms Mannes added .
`` And so the R0 , or the reproductive number , must stay below one if we 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracing , if you can imagine , there 's a really difficult balance to strike .
`` Contact tracing allows social distancing measures to be relaxed so that we can minimise the spread from anyone who has the disease . '
I think , rather than be worried about a second wave , we should think about what we are doing to prevent a second wave .
`` Because , clearly if there is a second wave and that second wave is large , that will challenge the NHS , it will cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to prevent .
`` We 're preventing a second wave and that 's behind the strategy for scaling up contact tracing to help us to minimise the spread of infection in the community and so allowing the relaxing of some of the social distancing measures by minimising the spread if anyone has it in the community . ''
Contact tracing is recognised as the most effective way of breaking the chain of transmission .
The science has not changed but the diseases have and now technology will help the tracers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It will will help us identify a number of contacts and , importantly , that wo n't identify all contacts , but it will at least give us some kind of sense of easier people to identify , '' Ms Mannes said .
`` Each of our cases will then be requested to log into a website .
`` And again , that will take details of contacts and will enable us to identify the group of contacts and ensure that those contacts that were n't picked up with the app for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ method .
`` That 's when the people on the phones come in .
They can be calling those people getting in touch with them , giving them the advice . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Ms Mannes and her teams have worked tirelessly around the clock since the very start of this outbreak .
The challenges have been many , both on a personal and professional scale .
`` I think as a public health system we have never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` This is a global pandemic of a scale that is unrecognisable to all of us in our lifetime .
`` It has been incredibly challenging personally .
There have been a lot of things that have been challenging .
`` I think working in the unknowns is incredibly challenging and it requires each of us to be really agile and responsive to some of the challenges and to be able to provide advice and support and reassurance when we do n't always have the answers . ''

A top epidemiologist working on the government's response to COVID-19 has told Sky News the spread of the disease is "a global pandemic that is unrecognisable" and is proving "incredibly challenging".
But Trish Mannes, deputy director for health protection at Public Health England South East, said the government's recruitment of "an army of 18,000 contact tracers" is on track.
Ms Mannes is a senior epidemiologist with more than 20 years' experience in preventing infectious disease outbreaks.
She leads contact tracing teams in the south east of England.
Her expertise was crucial at the start of the outbreak to help contain the spread of the coronavirus when the first clusters were identified.
"The interviews took many hours," she told Sky News.
"We go to the person, we ask about their symptoms and the point at which they became unwell.
"We asked them to describe in detail what those symptoms are, so that we can work out the point where they may have been infectious. And we get a detailed history.
"You can imagine with COVID-19 we're asking for close contacts, so anyone who's been within two metres for more than 15 minutes, so that close contact could include someone in a shop, a pub.
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"So we absolutely have to go through a really detailed timeline of every day, each bit of the day, who you work with, who you live with, who you might socialise with outside of work."
Image: Trish Mannes leads contact tracing teams in the south east of England
Contact tracing is a highly specialised skill.
Senior contact tracers have scientific or medical backgrounds so, when they work through a detailed timeline of an infected person's movements, they can calculate exactly when that person was most likely to infect others.
"We work with an incredibly specialist workforce who are absolutely trained for this," Ms Mannes said.
"This is what we do. The difference is this is at scale."
Once the coronavirus outbreak was widespread and community transmission was occurring in the UK, contact tracing became less urgent and less effective.
The lockdown measures, in the "delay" phase of the government's response, stopped the virus from spreading any further.
But now, as the government looks at easing the lockdown, contact tracing will be key in preventing any further outbreaks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:50 How does contact tracing app work?
Ms Mannes said: "We've never stopped contact tracing. We continue to contact trace. We just changed the focus.
"If you can imagine, the point where that announcement was made was actually when everyone was told to self-isolate and distance from others.
"And, in particular, people who had symptoms were told to go home and stay home for seven days and their families and households for 14 days.
"At that point, that was most of the advice that we were giving to the general population if they were identified as a contact.
"So you can imagine the urgency of the community contact tracing went out of that because people were being advised to minimise their distance from others.
"And that's certainly been the case up to this point.
"The change in approach to contact tracing is absolutely core to being able to relax those social distancing measures."
The COVID-19 app launched this week on the Isle of Wight will work in tandem with trained contact tracers.
Both will be crucial if the government's "test, trace and isolate" strategy is to prove successful.
As people begin to move around again there is a risk of a second wave of infections.
"I think the government's being very clear about this, the focus is about bringing the reproductive number below one," Ms Mannes added.
"And so the R0, or the reproductive number, must stay below one if we're going to contain this.
"With contact tracing, if you can imagine, there's a really difficult balance to strike.
"Contact tracing allows social distancing measures to be relaxed so that we can minimise the spread from anyone who has the disease.
'I think, rather than be worried about a second wave, we should think about what we are doing to prevent a second wave.
"Because, clearly if there is a second wave and that second wave is large, that will challenge the NHS, it will cause a lot of morbidity; mortality that we want to prevent.
"We're preventing a second wave and that's behind the strategy for scaling up contact tracing to help us to minimise the spread of infection in the community and so allowing the relaxing of some of the social distancing measures by minimising the spread if anyone has it in the community."
Image: Ms Mannes and her teams have worked tirelessly around the clock since the very start of the outbreak
Contact tracing is recognised as the most effective way of breaking the chain of transmission.
The science has not changed but the diseases have and now technology will help the tracers to cope with the scale of COVID-19.
"It will will help us identify a number of contacts and, importantly, that won't identify all contacts, but it will at least give us some kind of sense of easier people to identify," Ms Mannes said.
"Each of our cases will then be requested to log into a website.
"And again, that will take details of contacts and will enable us to identify the group of contacts and ensure that those contacts that weren't picked up with the app for whatever reason can be identified through that method.
"That's when the people on the phones come in. They can be calling those people getting in touch with them, giving them the advice."
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Ms Mannes and her teams have worked tirelessly around the clock since the very start of this outbreak.
The challenges have been many, both on a personal and professional scale.
"I think as a public health system we have never seen anything on this scale," she said.
"This is a global pandemic of a scale that is unrecognisable to all of us in our lifetime.
"It has been incredibly challenging personally. There have been a lot of things that have been challenging.
"I think working in the unknowns is incredibly challenging and it requires each of us to be really agile and responsive to some of the challenges and to be able to provide advice and support and reassurance when we don't always have the answers."


news--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: 'Shielded' Britons could be told to stay at home for longer than 12 weeks, says health

Coronavirus: 'Shielded' Britons could be told to stay at home for longer than 12 weeks, says health secretary

Those who are being `` shielded '' from coronavirus may have to stay at home beyond the initial 12-week period , Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told Sky News .
Towards the end of March , letters were issued to 1.5m people warning them to `` stay at home at all times and avoid all face-to-face contact for at least twelve weeks '' .
The letters were sent to those who have been judged , for medical reasons , to be most vulnerable to COVID-19 .
The health secretary told Sky News on Wednesday that the government hopes those being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the 12-week period , but he also admitted they could be asked to stay at home for longer .
Mr Hancock appeared on Sky News ' `` Ask the Health Secretary '' event with Kay Burley , to answer some of the thousands of questions submitted by members of the public .
Linda , from Derbyshire , described how she herself is one of the very vulnerable patients being asked to shield themselves .
She asked whether she would have to wait until a coronavirus vaccine has been developed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available until 2021 , before she can `` hug my children and grandchildren and see my friends '' .
Mr Hancock explained how those who have specifically received an NHS letter asking them to shield themselves were in a `` different category '' to all over-70s , as he described how `` there has been some confusion between those two groups '' .
`` We asked those who are being shielded to avoid as much human contact as possible for 12 weeks , '' the health secretary added .
`` We may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope not to .
`` We may well be able to release some of those measures before a vaccine is available , if we can get the level of new cases - the number of new cases - right down .
`` In some countries they 've now managed to get the number of new cases right down and , if we get there , if we succeed in doing that , then we will be able to take clinical advice on whether it 's safe for those who are shielded to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their grandchildren . ''
Mr Hancock added he understood the `` emotional impact '' on those being asked to stay at home for three months and said the government would include such considerations when they review the UK 's lockdown measures .
`` There are many people who have n't left their homes now for six weeks or so , that is a long , long time , especially if you do n't have a garden , '' he said .
`` So that 's right at the front of my mind and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who are shielded right is really important .
`` We will take into account , not just the impact of coronavirus , but also the wider impact on people 's physical and mental health from being stuck at home for such a long time . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The health secretary stressed that those being asked to shield themselves were being `` shielded for their own protection '' .
`` We all must follow the social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he added .
`` But the specifically very strenuous rules for those who are shielded are for their protection over and above the broader social distancing rules that we must all follow . ''

Those who are being "shielded" from coronavirus may have to stay at home beyond the initial 12-week period, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told Sky News.
Towards the end of March, letters were issued to 1.5m people warning them to "stay at home at all times and avoid all face-to-face contact for at least twelve weeks".
The letters were sent to those who have been judged, for medical reasons, to be most vulnerable to COVID-19.
The health secretary told Sky News on Wednesday that the government hopes those being shielded will see the guidance eased at the end of the 12-week period, but he also admitted they could be asked to stay at home for longer.
Mr Hancock appeared on Sky News' "Ask the Health Secretary" event with Kay Burley, to answer some of the thousands of questions submitted by members of the public.
Linda, from Derbyshire, described how she herself is one of the very vulnerable patients being asked to shield themselves.
She asked whether she would have to wait until a coronavirus vaccine has been developed, which experts have said might not be available until 2021, before she can "hug my children and grandchildren and see my friends".
Mr Hancock explained how those who have specifically received an NHS letter asking them to shield themselves were in a "different category" to all over-70s, as he described how "there has been some confusion between those two groups".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 Linda's question for Matt Hancock
"We asked those who are being shielded to avoid as much human contact as possible for 12 weeks," the health secretary added.
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"We may have to extend that 12 weeks but we hope not to.
"We may well be able to release some of those measures before a vaccine is available, if we can get the level of new cases - the number of new cases - right down.
"In some countries they've now managed to get the number of new cases right down and, if we get there, if we succeed in doing that, then we will be able to take clinical advice on whether it's safe for those who are shielded to be able to, for instance, hug their grandchildren."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:03 'There isn't evidence COVID-19 is man-made'
Mr Hancock added he understood the "emotional impact" on those being asked to stay at home for three months and said the government would include such considerations when they review the UK's lockdown measures.
"There are many people who haven't left their homes now for six weeks or so, that is a long, long time, especially if you don't have a garden," he said.
"So that's right at the front of my mind and making sure we get the rules around those who are shielded right is really important.
"We will take into account, not just the impact of coronavirus, but also the wider impact on people's physical and mental health from being stuck at home for such a long time."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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The health secretary stressed that those being asked to shield themselves were being "shielded for their own protection".
"We all must follow the social distancing guidelines for the protection of public health," he added.
"But the specifically very strenuous rules for those who are shielded are for their protection over and above the broader social distancing rules that we must all follow."


news--2020-04-30--Coronavirus: A third of long-term COVID-19 hospital patients die, with dementia and obesity carrying

Coronavirus: A third of long-term COVID-19 hospital patients die, with dementia and obesity carrying the highest risk

A third of patients in hospital for two weeks or more with COVID-19 die , with dementia and obesity the underlying health conditions carrying the biggest risk a study has claimed .
The finding comes from a major British study by the Coronavirus Clinical Characterisation Consortium which looked at almost 17,000 people admitted to hospital with the virus .
The research showed that overall a third ( 33 % ) of the 6,628 patients who had been admitted at least 14 days before the data was collected had died .
For those in intensive care or high dependency units the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 53 % for those given invasive ventilation .
It found that 53 % of patients in hospital for COVID-19 have a pre-existing condition , with chronic heart disease the most common ( 29 % ) , followed by uncomplicated diabetes , non-asthmatic chronic pulmonary disease , and asthma .
But it also found that the risk of death was 39 % higher among patients with dementia , 37 % higher in obese patients and 31 % higher for heart disease .
This means that , after adjusting for other medical problems such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , having a BMI ( body mass index ) over 30 is a significant factor associated with death from the disease .
The researchers believe the reason for the increased risk could be because obese people have reduced lung function and possibly more inflammation in adipose tissue - the fatty tissue around the internal organs .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker This could contribute to a `` cytokine storm '' , the life-threatening over-reaction by the body 's immune system that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients .
The rate of hospital admission and death also increased with age .
The research also tracked the most commons symptoms displayed by patients , with cough and fever the most common .
• Most of the elderly patients who did not survive were admitted to hospital with symptoms of COVID-19 and `` would not have died otherwise '' • The median age of those who died in hospital from COVID-19 in the UK was 80 years , and only 12 % of these patients had no pre-existing condition recorded • Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 7,924 ( 47 % ) had no documented reported comorbidity • Of the 6,628 patients who required hospital stays of 14 days or more , almost half ( 49 % ) have been discharged , with a further 17 % still being treated .
33 % died • Seventeen percent of those admitted to hospital required Critical Care - a rate higher than that seen in Italy - and those who have poor outcomes are more often elderly , male and obese • The enhanced severity of the virus in male patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More men ( 60.2 % ) than women ( 39.8 % ) have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19 • Pregnant women are not at an increased risk of death Professor Calum Semple , who is leading the largest study of coronavirus patients in the UK , said the rate of death was `` the same for those admitted to hospital with Ebola '' .

A third of patients in hospital for two weeks or more with COVID-19 die, with dementia and obesity the underlying health conditions carrying the biggest risk a study has claimed.
The finding comes from a major British study by the Coronavirus Clinical Characterisation Consortium which looked at almost 17,000 people admitted to hospital with the virus.
The research showed that overall a third (33%) of the 6,628 patients who had been admitted at least 14 days before the data was collected had died.
For those in intensive care or high dependency units the mortality rate was 45%, increasing to 53% for those given invasive ventilation.
It found that 53% of patients in hospital for COVID-19 have a pre-existing condition, with chronic heart disease the most common (29%), followed by uncomplicated diabetes, non-asthmatic chronic pulmonary disease, and asthma.
But it also found that the risk of death was 39% higher among patients with dementia, 37% higher in obese patients and 31% higher for heart disease.
This means that, after adjusting for other medical problems such as lung, heart and kidney disease, having a BMI (body mass index) over 30 is a significant factor associated with death from the disease.
The researchers believe the reason for the increased risk could be because obese people have reduced lung function and possibly more inflammation in adipose tissue - the fatty tissue around the internal organs.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
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This could contribute to a "cytokine storm", the life-threatening over-reaction by the body's immune system that is being seen in many COVID-19 hospital patients.
Image: Two medics study notes while wearing their protective gear at Croydon University Hospital
The rate of hospital admission and death also increased with age.
The research also tracked the most commons symptoms displayed by patients, with cough and fever the most common.
The study also found:
Most of the elderly patients who did not survive were admitted to hospital with symptoms of COVID-19 and " would not have died otherwise "
" The median age of those who died in hospital from COVID-19 in the UK was 80 years, and only 12% of these patients had no pre-existing condition recorded
Of the 16,749 patients included in the study, 7,924 (47%) had no documented reported comorbidity
Of the 6,628 patients who required hospital stays of 14 days or more, almost half (49%) have been discharged, with a further 17% still being treated. 33% died
Seventeen percent of those admitted to hospital required Critical Care - a rate higher than that seen in Italy - and those who have poor outcomes are more often elderly, male and obese
The enhanced severity of the virus in male patients was seen across all age groups
More men (60.2%) than women (39.8%) have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19
Pregnant women are not at an increased risk of death
Professor Calum Semple, who is leading the largest study of coronavirus patients in the UK, said the rate of death was "the same for those admitted to hospital with Ebola".