news--2020-05-10--Coronavirus: Tech startups benefit from NHS 'revolution' in pandemic

Technology startups are gaining traction in the NHS as a result of the coronavirus crisis , in what some describe as a `` revolution '' for the health service .
Entrepreneurs say bureaucratic caution has been swept away to allow them to bring digital products into the health and social care system .
`` It feels as if someone 's taken the handbrake off the NHS , '' says Tom Wicher , chief executive of booking software provider DrDoctor , which has gained three big hospitals as clients since the start of the outbreak .
`` It 's like it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Remote working startups are among those benefiting .
Pando , which allows healthcare workers to share sensitive medical messages and photos , claims to have seen an increase of 700 % in its daily download rate since the start of the outbreak , with new users coming from across the NHS .
`` There is something of a revolution happening , '' says Dr Rhyddian Harris , a former clinician who works as a product manager for Pando .
`` The telemedicine agenda has been accelerated by about 10 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practical to do much of the traditional medical model . ''
At the start of February , remote healthcare startup accuRx built a video consultation tool for GP practices and NHS trusts , to go with its existing text message product .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Two months later , accuRx co-founder Jacob Haddad says it 's been used more than one million times .
`` There 's been huge pressure to change how primary care is delivered and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sky News .
`` A year 's worth of change has just had to happen in a couple of weeks .
That 's why we 've seen such vast adoption . ''
GPs using the system say they 're unlikely to go back to the old method .
`` We went from four to five weeks ago maybe only doing 20 or 30 online consultations a day to now doing over 100 online consultations a day , '' says Dr Simon Brownleader , chair of the Tower Hamlets GP Care Group .
Doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free for initial users and all NHS staff , although it does have a paid tier for heavy users , share the enthusiasm .
`` Without it we 'd be struggling as there 's no easy way to pass information between teams , '' says Dr Richard Muswell , an air ambulance doctor at Bart 's Hospital in London .
Campaigners caution against moving too fast if it compromises the long-term future of the NHS .
`` Bureaucracy has a really important role to play in terms of safety , and safety is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder of We Own It , which campaigns for public ownership of public services .
`` This crisis is going to take some time to sort out and we need to be building up the capacity of the NHS while we do that , not having contracts awarded to private companies without a proper process . ''
In recent months , high-profile NHS contracts have been handed to firms including Google , Amazon and controversial Silicon Valley startup Palantir , which was awarded the contract without a tender and is working for £1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the focus of media attention , a leading investor in public sector startups warned that the successes of technology companies did not represent the full picture .
`` The crisis has proven double edged for startups that support public services , '' said Daniel Korski , co-founder of Public .
`` On the one hand there is more appetite than ever before to deploy new technologies and startups have been given many opportunities especially across the NHS .
`` On the other hand the government has in many cases - and for much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbents , extending relationships that probably should by rights have ended . ''
On 16 April , outsourcing giant Capita extended a contract with the Ministry of Justice to provide electronic tagging , worth £114m over three years .
In February , a Capita security worker who took bribes from criminals to remove their electronic tags was jailed for seven years .

Technology startups are gaining traction in the NHS as a result of the coronavirus crisis, in what some describe as a "revolution" for the health service.
Entrepreneurs say bureaucratic caution has been swept away to allow them to bring digital products into the health and social care system.
"It feels as if someone's taken the handbrake off the NHS," says Tom Wicher, chief executive of booking software provider DrDoctor, which has gained three big hospitals as clients since the start of the outbreak.
"It's like it's been given permission to go fast."
Remote working startups are among those benefiting.
Pando, which allows healthcare workers to share sensitive medical messages and photos, claims to have seen an increase of 700% in its daily download rate since the start of the outbreak, with new users coming from across the NHS.
"There is something of a revolution happening," says Dr Rhyddian Harris, a former clinician who works as a product manager for Pando.
"The telemedicine agenda has been accelerated by about 10 years, simply because it is not safe or practical to do much of the traditional medical model."
At the start of February, remote healthcare startup accuRx built a video consultation tool for GP practices and NHS trusts, to go with its existing text message product.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Two months later, accuRx co-founder Jacob Haddad says it's been used more than one million times.
"There's been huge pressure to change how primary care is delivered and how GPs see patients," he told Sky News.
"A year's worth of change has just had to happen in a couple of weeks. That's why we've seen such vast adoption."
GPs using the system say they're unlikely to go back to the old method.
"We went from four to five weeks ago maybe only doing 20 or 30 online consultations a day to now doing over 100 online consultations a day," says Dr Simon Brownleader, chair of the Tower Hamlets GP Care Group.
"It's been revelatory."
Doctors using Pando's app, which is free for initial users and all NHS staff, although it does have a paid tier for heavy users, share the enthusiasm.
"Without it we'd be struggling as there's no easy way to pass information between teams," says Dr Richard Muswell, an air ambulance doctor at Bart's Hospital in London.
Campaigners caution against moving too fast if it compromises the long-term future of the NHS.
"Bureaucracy has a really important role to play in terms of safety, and safety is paramount," says Cat Hobbs, founder of We Own It, which campaigns for public ownership of public services.
"This crisis is going to take some time to sort out and we need to be building up the capacity of the NHS while we do that, not having contracts awarded to private companies without a proper process."
In recent months, high-profile NHS contracts have been handed to firms including Google, Amazon and controversial Silicon Valley startup Palantir, which was awarded the contract without a tender and is working for £1.
Yet although these deals have been the focus of media attention, a leading investor in public sector startups warned that the successes of technology companies did not represent the full picture.
"The crisis has proven double edged for startups that support public services," said Daniel Korski, co-founder of Public.
"On the one hand there is more appetite than ever before to deploy new technologies and startups have been given many opportunities especially across the NHS.
"On the other hand the government has in many cases - and for much larger contract sums - turned to existing incumbents, extending relationships that probably should by rights have ended."
On 16 April, outsourcing giant Capita extended a contract with the Ministry of Justice to provide electronic tagging, worth £114m over three years.
In February, a Capita security worker who took bribes from criminals to remove their electronic tags was jailed for seven years.


news--2020-05-10--Coronavirus: Full transcript of the PM's address to the nation

Here is the full transcript of the prime minister 's pre-recorded address to the nation .
It is now almost two months since the people of this country began to put up with restrictions on their freedom - your freedom - of a kind that we have never seen before in peace or war .
And you have shown the good sense to support those rules overwhelmingly .
You have put up with all the hardships of that programme of social distancing .
Because you understand that as things stand , and as the experience of every other country has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to defeat the coronavirus - the most vicious threat this country has faced in my lifetime .
And though the death toll has been tragic , and the suffering immense , and though we grieve for all those we have lost - it is a fact that by adopting those measures , we prevented this country from being engulfed by what could have been a catastrophe in which the reasonable worst case scenario was half a million fatalities .
And it is thanks to your effort and sacrifice in stopping the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming down and hospital admissions are coming down .
And thanks to you we have protected our NHS and saved many thousands of lives .
And so I know - you know - that it would be madness now to throw away that achievement by allowing a second spike .
We must continue to control the virus and save lives .
And yet we must also recognise that this campaign against the virus has come at colossal cost to our way of life .
We can see it all around us in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pubs and restaurants .
And there are millions of people who are both fearful of this terrible disease , and at the same time also fearful of what this long period of enforced inactivity will do to their livelihoods and their mental and physical well-being .
To their futures and the futures of their children .
So I want to provide tonight - for you - the shape of a plan to address both fears .
Both to beat the virus and provide the first sketch of a road map for reopening society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and when and how and on what basis we will take the decisions to proceed .
I will be setting out more details in Parliament tomorrow and taking questions from the public in the evening .
I have consulted across the political spectrum , across all four nations of the UK .
And though different parts of the country are experiencing the pandemic at different rates , and though it is right to be flexible in our response - I believe that as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - Scotland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a strong resolve to defeat this together .
And today a general consensus on what we could do .
Because although we have a plan , it is a conditional plan .
And since our priority is to protect the public and save lives , we can not move forward unless we satisfy the five tests .
We must protect our NHS .
We must see sustained falls in the death rate .
We must see sustained and considerable falls in the rate of infection .
We must sort out our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who need it , and yes , it is a global problem but we must fix it .
And last , we must make sure that any measures we take do not force the reproduction rate of the disease - the R - back up over one , so that we have the kind of exponential growth we were facing a few weeks ago .
And to chart our progress and to avoid going back to square one , we are establishing a new Covid Alert System run by a new Joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Level will be determined primarily by R and the number of coronavirus cases .
And in turn that Covid Alert Level will tell us how tough we have to be in our social distancing measures - the lower the level the fewer the measures .
The higher the level , the tougher and stricter we will have to be .
There will be five alert levels .
Level One means the disease is no longer present in the UK and Level Five is the most critical - the kind of situation we could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmed .
Over the period of the lockdown we have been in Level Four , and it is thanks to your sacrifice we are now in a position to begin to move in steps to Level Three .
And as we go everyone will have a role to play in keeping the R down .
By staying alert and following the rules .
And to keep pushing the number of infections down there are two more things we must do .
We must reverse rapidly the awful epidemics in care homes and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are coming down sharply now , there is plainly much more to be done .
And if we are to control this virus , then we must have a world-beating system for testing potential victims , and for tracing their contacts .
So that - all told - we are testing literally hundreds of thousands of people every day .
We have made fast progress on testing - but there is so much more to do now , and we can .
When this began , we had n't seen this disease before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its effects .
With every day we are getting more and more data .
We are shining the light of science on this invisible killer , and we will pick it up where it strikes .
Because our new system will be able in time to detect local flare-ups - in your area - as well as giving us a national picture .
And yet when I look at where we are tonight , we have the R below one , between 0.5 and 0.9 - but potentially only just below one .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ satisfying at least some of the conditions I have given .
We have by no means fulfilled all of them .
And so no , this is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week .
Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures .
And the first step is a change of emphasis that we hope that people will act on this week .
We said that you should work from home if you can , and only go to work if you must .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't work from home , for instance those in construction or manufacturing , should be actively encouraged to go to work .
And we want it to be safe for you to get to work .
So you should avoid public transport if at all possible - because we must and will maintain social distancing , and capacity will therefore be limited .
So work from home if you can , but you should go to work if you ca n't work from home .
And to ensure you are safe at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new guidance for employers to make workplaces COVID-secure .
And when you do go to work , if possible do so by car or even better by walking or bicycle .
But just as with workplaces , public transport operators will also be following COVID-secure standards .
And from this Wednesday , we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise .
You can sit in the sun in your local park , you can drive to other destinations , you can even play sports but only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You must obey the rules on social distancing and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them .
And so every day , with ever increasing data , we will be monitoring the R and the number of new infections , and the progress we are making , and if we as a nation begin to fulfil the conditions I have set out , then in the next few weeks and months we may be able to go further .
In step two - at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half term - we believe we may be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools , in stages , beginning with reception , Year 1 and Year 6 .
Our ambition is that secondary pupils facing exams next year will get at least some time with their teachers before the holidays .
And we will shortly be setting out detailed guidance on how to make it work in schools and shops and on transport .
And step three - at the earliest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these conditions and further scientific advice ; if and only if the numbers support it , we will hope to re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places , provided they are safe and enforce social distancing .
Throughout this period of the next two months we will be driven not by mere hope or economic necessity .
We are going to be driven by the science , the data and public health .
And I must stress again that all of this is conditional , it all depends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It depends on all of us - the entire country - to follow the advice , to observe social distancing , and to keep that R down .
And to prevent re-infection from abroad , I am serving notice that it will soon be the time - with transmission significantly lower - to impose quarantine on people coming into this country by air .
And it is because of your efforts to get the R down and the number of infections down here , that this measure will now be effective .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress locally , regionally , and nationally and if there are outbreaks , if there are problems , we will not hesitate to put on the brakes .
We have been through the initial peak - but it is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous .
We have a route , and we have a plan , and everyone in government has the all-consuming pressure and challenge to save lives , restore livelihoods and gradually restore the freedoms that we need .
But in the end this is a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when I look at what you have done already .
The patience and common sense you have shown .
The fortitude of the elderly whose isolation we all want to end as fast as we can .
The incredible bravery and hard work of our NHS staff , our care workers .
The devotion and self-sacrifice of all those in every walk of life who are helping us to beat this disease .
Police , bus drivers , train drivers , pharmacists , supermarket workers , road hauliers , bin collectors , cleaners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our teachers and a thousand more .
The scientists who are working round the clock to find a vaccine .
When I think of the millions of everyday acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that are being performed across this country .
And that have helped to get us through this first phase .
I know that we can use this plan to get us through the next .
And if we ca n't do it by those dates , and if the alert level wo n't allow it , we will simply wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it right .
We will come back from this devilish illness .
We will come back to health , and robust health .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker And though the UK will be changed by this experience , I believe we can be stronger and better than ever before .
More resilient , more innovative , more economically dynamic , but also more generous and more sharing .
But for now we must stay alert , control the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much .

Here is the full transcript of the prime minister's pre-recorded address to the nation.
It is now almost two months since the people of this country began to put up with restrictions on their freedom - your freedom - of a kind that we have never seen before in peace or war.
And you have shown the good sense to support those rules overwhelmingly.
You have put up with all the hardships of that programme of social distancing.
Because you understand that as things stand, and as the experience of every other country has shown, it is the only way to defeat the coronavirus - the most vicious threat this country has faced in my lifetime.
And though the death toll has been tragic, and the suffering immense, and though we grieve for all those we have lost - it is a fact that by adopting those measures, we prevented this country from being engulfed by what could have been a catastrophe in which the reasonable worst case scenario was half a million fatalities.
And it is thanks to your effort and sacrifice in stopping the spread of this disease that the death rate is coming down and hospital admissions are coming down.
And thanks to you we have protected our NHS and saved many thousands of lives.
And so I know - you know - that it would be madness now to throw away that achievement by allowing a second spike.
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We must stay alert.
We must continue to control the virus and save lives.
And yet we must also recognise that this campaign against the virus has come at colossal cost to our way of life.
We can see it all around us in the shuttered shops and abandoned businesses and darkened pubs and restaurants.
And there are millions of people who are both fearful of this terrible disease, and at the same time also fearful of what this long period of enforced inactivity will do to their livelihoods and their mental and physical well-being.
To their futures and the futures of their children.
So I want to provide tonight - for you - the shape of a plan to address both fears.
Both to beat the virus and provide the first sketch of a road map for reopening society.
A sense of the way ahead, and when and how and on what basis we will take the decisions to proceed.
I will be setting out more details in Parliament tomorrow and taking questions from the public in the evening.
I have consulted across the political spectrum, across all four nations of the UK.
And though different parts of the country are experiencing the pandemic at different rates, and though it is right to be flexible in our response - I believe that as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, there is a strong resolve to defeat this together.
And today a general consensus on what we could do.
And I stress could.
Because although we have a plan, it is a conditional plan.
And since our priority is to protect the public and save lives, we cannot move forward unless we satisfy the five tests.
We must protect our NHS.
We must see sustained falls in the death rate.
We must see sustained and considerable falls in the rate of infection.
We must sort out our challenges in getting enough PPE to the people who need it, and yes, it is a global problem but we must fix it.
And last, we must make sure that any measures we take do not force the reproduction rate of the disease - the R - back up over one, so that we have the kind of exponential growth we were facing a few weeks ago.
And to chart our progress and to avoid going back to square one, we are establishing a new Covid Alert System run by a new Joint Biosecurity Centre.
And that Covid Alert Level will be determined primarily by R and the number of coronavirus cases.
And in turn that Covid Alert Level will tell us how tough we have to be in our social distancing measures - the lower the level the fewer the measures.
The higher the level, the tougher and stricter we will have to be.
There will be five alert levels.
Image: The new coronavirus slogans unveiled by Boris Johnson
Level One means the disease is no longer present in the UK and Level Five is the most critical - the kind of situation we could have had if the NHS had been overwhelmed.
Over the period of the lockdown we have been in Level Four, and it is thanks to your sacrifice we are now in a position to begin to move in steps to Level Three.
And as we go everyone will have a role to play in keeping the R down.
By staying alert and following the rules.
And to keep pushing the number of infections down there are two more things we must do.
We must reverse rapidly the awful epidemics in care homes and in the NHS, and though the numbers are coming down sharply now, there is plainly much more to be done.
And if we are to control this virus, then we must have a world-beating system for testing potential victims, and for tracing their contacts.
So that - all told - we are testing literally hundreds of thousands of people every day.
We have made fast progress on testing - but there is so much more to do now, and we can.
When this began, we hadn't seen this disease before, and we didn't fully understand its effects.
With every day we are getting more and more data.
We are shining the light of science on this invisible killer, and we will pick it up where it strikes.
Because our new system will be able in time to detect local flare-ups - in your area - as well as giving us a national picture.
And yet when I look at where we are tonight, we have the R below one, between 0.5 and 0.9 - but potentially only just below one.
And though we have made progress in satisfying at least some of the conditions I have given.
We have by no means fulfilled all of them.
And so no, this is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week.
Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures.
And the first step is a change of emphasis that we hope that people will act on this week.
We said that you should work from home if you can, and only go to work if you must.
We now need to stress that anyone who can't work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work.
And we want it to be safe for you to get to work. So you should avoid public transport if at all possible - because we must and will maintain social distancing, and capacity will therefore be limited.
So work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can't work from home.
And to ensure you are safe at work we have been working to establish new guidance for employers to make workplaces COVID-secure.
And when you do go to work, if possible do so by car or even better by walking or bicycle. But just as with workplaces, public transport operators will also be following COVID-secure standards.
Image: Boris Johnson is encouraging people to walk or cycle to work
And from this Wednesday, we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise.
You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household.
You must obey the rules on social distancing and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them.
And so every day, with ever increasing data, we will be monitoring the R and the number of new infections, and the progress we are making, and if we as a nation begin to fulfil the conditions I have set out, then in the next few weeks and months we may be able to go further.
In step two - at the earliest by 1 June - after half term - we believe we may be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools, in stages, beginning with reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
Our ambition is that secondary pupils facing exams next year will get at least some time with their teachers before the holidays. And we will shortly be setting out detailed guidance on how to make it work in schools and shops and on transport.
Image: The PM said people could now sit in their park and do more outside exercise
And step three - at the earliest by July - and subject to all these conditions and further scientific advice; if and only if the numbers support it, we will hope to re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places, provided they are safe and enforce social distancing.
Throughout this period of the next two months we will be driven not by mere hope or economic necessity.
We are going to be driven by the science, the data and public health.
And I must stress again that all of this is conditional, it all depends on a series of big Ifs.
It depends on all of us - the entire country - to follow the advice, to observe social distancing, and to keep that R down.
And to prevent re-infection from abroad, I am serving notice that it will soon be the time - with transmission significantly lower - to impose quarantine on people coming into this country by air.
And it is because of your efforts to get the R down and the number of infections down here, that this measure will now be effective.
And of course we will be monitoring our progress locally, regionally, and nationally and if there are outbreaks, if there are problems, we will not hesitate to put on the brakes.
We have been through the initial peak - but it is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous.
We have a route, and we have a plan, and everyone in government has the all-consuming pressure and challenge to save lives, restore livelihoods and gradually restore the freedoms that we need.
But in the end this is a plan that everyone must make work.
And when I look at what you have done already.
The patience and common sense you have shown.
The fortitude of the elderly whose isolation we all want to end as fast as we can.
The incredible bravery and hard work of our NHS staff, our care workers.
The devotion and self-sacrifice of all those in every walk of life who are helping us to beat this disease.
Police, bus drivers, train drivers, pharmacists, supermarket workers, road hauliers, bin collectors, cleaners, security guards, postal workers, our teachers and a thousand more.
The scientists who are working round the clock to find a vaccine.
When I think of the millions of everyday acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that are being performed across this country.
And that have helped to get us through this first phase.
I know that we can use this plan to get us through the next.
And if we can't do it by those dates, and if the alert level won't allow it, we will simply wait and go on until we have got it right.
We will come back from this devilish illness.
We will come back to health, and robust health.
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
And though the UK will be changed by this experience, I believe we can be stronger and better than ever before.
More resilient, more innovative, more economically dynamic, but also more generous and more sharing.
But for now we must stay alert, control the virus and save lives.
Thank you very much.


news--2020-05-10--Coronavirus: A lot of the PM's speech seemed to change at the last minute

Boris Johnson 's sombre tone reflects the fearful , uncertain mood of the nation .
To that extent , his speech will likely be judged a success .
As ever , Number 10 is acutely aware of the latest polling and public sentiment .
But despite the top billing and days of hype , this address does the absolute minimum it could .
And it does n't really begin to answer any of the difficult questions facing the country , though he creates a fair few new ones for himself .
Indeed it is so minimal on current and future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether , even just a few days ago , the speech was meant to be a bigger deal than tonight it has become .
It does not even mention garden centres , which government sources on Friday said would reopen on Wednesday .
Also it does seem to have been the subject of last-minute revisions : cabinet papers on additional detailed changes put on ice in the last 48 hours .
And Tory MPs who were furious with the headline change - to ditch the `` stay at home '' slogan and replace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were told the address was a `` work in progress '' even today .
Things changing , it seems , at the last minute .
Parts were recorded yesterday , parts today .
The biggest message from the prime minister is that those who can not work from home should go out to work .
Hearing this from Mr Johnson may have a big effect on manufacturing and construction .
Yet this is not even a change of policy - that has been the consistent position from the beginning , with ministers making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start that builders should go to work .
That tells us that Number 10 views slogans like `` stay at home '' as more important than policy or law , meaning tonight 's minimalist speech could have a more significant impact than they intend .
The combination change to allow more exercise a day and to sunbathing is more significant than it seems or that he spells out .
This is intended to signal that people who want to sit next to one friend on a park bench , albeit at a two-metre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why Mr Johnson could n't spell this out more clearly is n't obvious .
The rest of the speech is less plan , more a series of aspirations : perhaps primary schools reopening in June , perhaps public spaces in July .
But no specificity over what or under which circumstances , and all heavily caveated that this could be abandoned if the infection spreads more rapidly .
The schools point is significant though : that aspiration puts Mr Johnson once again at odds with the leaders of the devolved nations , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no chance Welsh schools would reopen then .
Small but significant differences over the lockdown legal framework is one thing ; an English/Welsh difference over schools is quite another .
English teachers would then rightly be able to ask whether they are being put at more risk than their Welsh counterparts .
Mr Johnson 's speech also avoids any answer to tough choices he needs to make : Will employers be liable if people get coronavirus in the workplace ?
Will people who ca n't work for a year because of social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like current levels ?
But he ca n't escape such difficult questions .
On Monday , Mr Johnson will face MPs including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in the Commons , the public that night and his own MPs on Tuesday night .
It wo n't be easy to dodge them .

Boris Johnson's sombre tone reflects the fearful, uncertain mood of the nation.
To that extent, his speech will likely be judged a success.
As ever, Number 10 is acutely aware of the latest polling and public sentiment.
But despite the top billing and days of hype, this address does the absolute minimum it could.
And it doesn't really begin to answer any of the difficult questions facing the country, though he creates a fair few new ones for himself.
Indeed it is so minimal on current and future changes that it prompts the question of whether, even just a few days ago, the speech was meant to be a bigger deal than tonight it has become.
It does not even mention garden centres, which government sources on Friday said would reopen on Wednesday.
Also it does seem to have been the subject of last-minute revisions: cabinet papers on additional detailed changes put on ice in the last 48 hours.
Image: The 'stay at home' slogan has been replaced with 'stay alert'
And Tory MPs who were furious with the headline change - to ditch the "stay at home" slogan and replace it with "stay alert" - were told the address was a "work in progress" even today.
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Things changing, it seems, at the last minute. Parts were recorded yesterday, parts today.
The biggest message from the prime minister is that those who cannot work from home should go out to work.
Image: People will be allowed to do more exercise
Hearing this from Mr Johnson may have a big effect on manufacturing and construction.
Yet this is not even a change of policy - that has been the consistent position from the beginning, with ministers making it clear from the Commons at the start that builders should go to work.
That tells us that Number 10 views slogans like "stay at home" as more important than policy or law, meaning tonight's minimalist speech could have a more significant impact than they intend.
The combination change to allow more exercise a day and to sunbathing is more significant than it seems or that he spells out.
This is intended to signal that people who want to sit next to one friend on a park bench, albeit at a two-metre distance, will be able to. Why Mr Johnson couldn't spell this out more clearly isn't obvious.
Image: PM has suggested some schools could reopen in June
The rest of the speech is less plan, more a series of aspirations: perhaps primary schools reopening in June, perhaps public spaces in July.
But no specificity over what or under which circumstances, and all heavily caveated that this could be abandoned if the infection spreads more rapidly.
The schools point is significant though: that aspiration puts Mr Johnson once again at odds with the leaders of the devolved nations, especially in Wales which said on Thursday there was no chance Welsh schools would reopen then.
Small but significant differences over the lockdown legal framework is one thing; an English/Welsh difference over schools is quite another.
English teachers would then rightly be able to ask whether they are being put at more risk than their Welsh counterparts.
Mr Johnson's speech also avoids any answer to tough choices he needs to make:
Will employers be liable if people get coronavirus in the workplace? Will people who can't work for a year because of social distancing be supported by government to anything like current levels?
But he can't escape such difficult questions.
On Monday, Mr Johnson will face MPs including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in the Commons, the public that night and his own MPs on Tuesday night.
It won't be easy to dodge them.


news--2020-05-08--Queen says 'streets are filled with love' in VE Day message during lockdown

The Queen has defiantly insisted that the United Kingdom remains `` a nation those brave soldiers , sailors and airmen would recognise and admire '' .
Alluding to the coronavirus pandemic and how many national events planned for the day had to be cancelled due to social distancing , Her Majesty said : `` Today it may seem hard that we can not mark this special anniversary as we would wish .
`` Instead we remember from our homes and our doorsteps .
`` But our streets are not empty ; they are filled with the love and the care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` And when I look at our country today , and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another , I say with pride that we are still a nation those brave soldiers , sailors and airmen would recognise and admire . ''
The message was played at 9pm - the same time that her father King George VI addressed the nation with a broadcast 75 years ago , marking Victory in Europe Day .
A clip of her father 's message was shown as part of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ televised address the Queen recalled her own memories of being alongside her parents that day , saying : `` I vividly remember the jubilant scenes my sister and I witnessed with our parents and Winston Churchill from the balcony of Buckingham Palace .
`` The sense of joy in the crowds who gathered outside and across the country was profound , though while we celebrated the victory in Europe , we knew there would be further sacrifice .
It was not until August that fighting in the Far East ceased and the war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line `` we will remember them '' from Laurence Binyon 's First World War poem `` For the Fallen '' , the Queen paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country .
She said : `` Many people laid down their lives in that terrible conflict .
`` They fought so we could live in peace , at home and abroad .
`` They died so we could live as free people in a world of free nations .
`` They risked all so our families and neighbourhoods could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember them . ''
She added : `` The wartime generation knew that the best way to honour those who did not come back from the war , was to ensure that it did n't happen again .
`` The greatest tribute to their sacrifice is that countries who were once sworn enemies are now friends , working side by side for the peace , health and prosperity of us all . ''
The 94-year-old monarch recorded her message at Windsor Castle last week , where she is in isolation with her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the table alongside her were photos of her father , and the family on the balcony with Sir Winston Churchill in 1945 .
The cap she wore as a member of the Auxiliary Territorial service was also on the desk , highlighting her own service during the Second World War .
She was the first female member of the Royal Family to join the armed forces as a full-time active member .
This is the second televised address that the Queen has recorded since lockdown measures were introduced due to COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ evoke the wartime spirit to encourage people across the country to once again support each other at this difficult time , listen to the guidance , and do what is right .
Talking about the war , the Queen said : `` At the start , the outlook seemed bleak , the end distant , the outcome uncertain .
`` But we kept faith that the cause was right - and this belief , as my father noted in his broadcast , carried us through .
`` Never give up , never despair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day . ''

The Queen has defiantly insisted that the United Kingdom remains "a nation those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire".
Alluding to the coronavirus pandemic and how many national events planned for the day had to be cancelled due to social distancing, Her Majesty said: "Today it may seem hard that we cannot mark this special anniversary as we would wish.
"Instead we remember from our homes and our doorsteps.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:44 Watch the highlights of VE Day celebrations
"But our streets are not empty; they are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other.
"And when I look at our country today, and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another, I say with pride that we are still a nation those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire."
The message was played at 9pm - the same time that her father King George VI addressed the nation with a broadcast 75 years ago, marking Victory in Europe Day.
A clip of her father's message was shown as part of his daughter's own tribute.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:38 Cockpit view of VE Day Red Arrows flypast
In her televised address the Queen recalled her own memories of being alongside her parents that day, saying: "I vividly remember the jubilant scenes my sister and I witnessed with our parents and Winston Churchill from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
"The sense of joy in the crowds who gathered outside and across the country was profound, though while we celebrated the victory in Europe, we knew there would be further sacrifice. It was not until August that fighting in the Far East ceased and the war finally ended."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:42 What VE Day was like for the queen (then known as Princess Elizabeth)
Recalling the famous line "we will remember them" from Laurence Binyon's First World War poem "For the Fallen", the Queen paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
She said: "Many people laid down their lives in that terrible conflict.
"They fought so we could live in peace, at home and abroad.
"They died so we could live as free people in a world of free nations.
"They risked all so our families and neighbourhoods could be safe. We should and will remember them."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:28 Watch Winston Churchill's VE Day speech
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:33 Nation marks VE Day anniversary with singalong
She added: "The wartime generation knew that the best way to honour those who did not come back from the war, was to ensure that it didn't happen again.
"The greatest tribute to their sacrifice is that countries who were once sworn enemies are now friends, working side by side for the peace, health and prosperity of us all."
The 94-year-old monarch recorded her message at Windsor Castle last week, where she is in isolation with her husband Prince Philip due to the pandemic.
On the table alongside her were photos of her father, and the family on the balcony with Sir Winston Churchill in 1945. The cap she wore as a member of the Auxiliary Territorial service was also on the desk, highlighting her own service during the Second World War.
She was the first female member of the Royal Family to join the armed forces as a full-time active member.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:47 Voices of VE Day: 75 years on
Image: Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Pic: National Army Museum
This is the second televised address that the Queen has recorded since lockdown measures were introduced due to COVID-19.
In this message she again appeared to evoke the wartime spirit to encourage people across the country to once again support each other at this difficult time, listen to the guidance, and do what is right.
Talking about the war, the Queen said: "At the start, the outlook seemed bleak, the end distant, the outcome uncertain.
"But we kept faith that the cause was right - and this belief, as my father noted in his broadcast, carried us through.
"Never give up, never despair - that was the message of VE Day."


news--2020-05-09--Coronavirus: Professor 'can't easily tell' who is more at risk from COVID-19 - fit black men or obes

Coronavirus: Professor 'can't easily tell' who is more at risk from COVID-19 - fit black men or obese white men

A government medical adviser says he can not easily tell who is more at risk of dying with COVID-19 - a 50-year-old slender black man who runs half-marathons , or a 32-year-old white man who is extremely overweight , has diabetes , asthma and does not exercise .
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam was speaking about the `` complicated '' situation surrounding the vulnerability of people from black and minority ethnic communities .
It follows an Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) report earlier this week that said black people are up to four times more likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And a separate study found that being male , older in age , having uncontrolled diabetes and severe asthma are key factors related to COVID-19 deaths , according to researchers at the University of Oxford and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine .
New analysis published on Thursday showed black women are more likely to die by a factor of 4.3 and black men by 4.2 compared with Caucasian people , after adjusting for age .
Other ethnic minorities have a heightened risk , too .
Speaking at the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Van-Tam said he takes the ONS report on the issue `` very seriously indeed '' .
He added : `` There is an enormous determination across the medical advisory function for the government to get to the bottom of this , and get to the bottom of it with real clarity .
`` And that 's why I do n't want to come on here today , and offer you , kind of , silly quick fixes .
This is a complex mixture of risk by age , risk by gender , risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is an obesity signal beginning to emerge as well , and on top of that , and I 'm absolutely clear , there is a signal around black and minority ethnic groups .
`` No one I think is trying to brush that under the carpet or say it 's not there , but it is complicated . ''
He continued : `` I ca n't stand in front of you and say I could easily make an on-the-hoof judgement about who is more at risk .
`` Somebody from the black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , age 50 , a regular half-marathon runner , eats well , does everything right , versus somebody who is from a white ethnic group who is 32 , extremely overweight , does not exercise , has diabetes , has asthma , etc . ''
Prof Van-Tam added it was a `` silly example '' but he hoped it gives people an understanding that `` pitching the risk for individuals is quite a difficult and technically involved thing to do and that 's why I do n't to make any quick jumps and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We are taking this incredibly seriously , we are determined to get to the bottom of it in a proper and scientific way . ''
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the government is `` very concerned '' about deaths amongst minority communities , adding it is `` absolutely determined '' to get a proper understanding of the issue .
The government is carrying out a review , by Public Health England , into the higher death rates .

A government medical adviser says he cannot easily tell who is more at risk of dying with COVID-19 - a 50-year-old slender black man who runs half-marathons, or a 32-year-old white man who is extremely overweight, has diabetes, asthma and does not exercise.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam was speaking about the "complicated" situation surrounding the vulnerability of people from black and minority ethnic communities.
It follows an Office for National Statistics (ONS) report earlier this week that said black people are up to four times more likely to die with coronavirus than white people.
And a separate study found that being male, older in age, having uncontrolled diabetes and severe asthma are key factors related to COVID-19 deaths, according to researchers at the University of Oxford and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
New analysis published on Thursday showed black women are more likely to die by a factor of 4.3 and black men by 4.2 compared with Caucasian people, after adjusting for age.
Other ethnic minorities have a heightened risk, too.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:02 7 May: BAME people more likely to die from COVID-19
Speaking at the government's daily coronavirus news briefing, Prof Van-Tam said he takes the ONS report on the issue "very seriously indeed".
He added: "There is an enormous determination across the medical advisory function for the government to get to the bottom of this, and get to the bottom of it with real clarity.
"And that's why I don't want to come on here today, and offer you, kind of, silly quick fixes. This is a complex mixture of risk by age, risk by gender, risk by comorbidities, other illnesses.
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"There is an obesity signal beginning to emerge as well, and on top of that, and I'm absolutely clear, there is a signal around black and minority ethnic groups.
"No one I think is trying to brush that under the carpet or say it's not there, but it is complicated."
He continued: "I can't stand in front of you and say I could easily make an on-the-hoof judgement about who is more at risk.
"Somebody from the black and minority ethnic community who is svelte, age 50, a regular half-marathon runner, eats well, does everything right, versus somebody who is from a white ethnic group who is 32, extremely overweight, does not exercise, has diabetes, has asthma, etc."
Prof Van-Tam added it was a "silly example" but he hoped it gives people an understanding that "pitching the risk for individuals is quite a difficult and technically involved thing to do and that's why I don't to make any quick jumps and quick quips of answers to you".
"We are taking this incredibly seriously, we are determined to get to the bottom of it in a proper and scientific way."
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the government is "very concerned" about deaths amongst minority communities, adding it is "absolutely determined" to get a proper understanding of the issue.
The government is carrying out a review, by Public Health England, into the higher death rates.


news--2020-05-10--Coronavirus: New UK lockdown rules - experts give their views

Boris Johnson has announced a new set of rules as the UK 's coronavirus lockdown goes into the next phase .
Sky News ' experts provide their analysis on the new plans .
`` Get the timing wrong and the government will have to reimpose lockdown to stop a second wave '' Easing the lockdown depends on a series of big `` ifs '' , the prime minister said .
Only if the number of cases continues to fall and only if the virus does not begin to spread faster .
Giving us more freedom is to a large extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases are following a reassuring downward trend .
The lockdown has shrunk the epidemic .
Staying at home has saved lives .
But the more contact there is between people , the more the virus spreads .
The R number that the prime minister referred to is somewhere between 0.5 and 0.9 at the moment .
Every 10 infected people will pass the virus on to five to nine others .
But if the R number climbs above one , the epidemic could quickly take off again .
Even Germany , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , has seen a rapid increase in transmission and some regions are reimposing restrictions on movement .
The prime minister said easing lockdown can only happen if the number of cases continues to fall .
Right now there are an estimated 200,000 people who have the infection .
And the true number of new infections every day is thought to be around 20,000 .
Those are the numbers that will give the government sleepless nights .
It is no surprise that outdoor activity and relaxation is being eased first .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metre rule outside .
And no surprise that people are being urged to avoid the confines of public transport for the same reason .
But re-opening schools , pubs and restaurants is much higher risk .
Get the timing wrong and the government would quickly have to reimpose the lockdown or the country would head into a second wave of COVID-19 .
`` The push for construction to get back to work shows the lockdown has been more effective than expected '' One of the more telling moments in the prime minister 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some workers - especially those who work in construction and manufacturing - should `` be actively encouraged to go to work '' .
The context to this is that in one very real sense the government 's lockdown has been even more effective than they really expected .
Although there was a lack of clarity about it early on , they never really wanted the construction sector to grind to a halt .
They never really intended for the manufacturing sector to drop its output so quickly and comprehensively .
They mostly expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown would be areas where social distancing was most difficult : hospitality , restaurants , hotels , schools and so on .
But , the construction and manufacturing sectors have had their sharpest decline on record .
The economy has ground to even more of a halt than the lockdown was supposed to engineer .
Indeed the furlough scheme now has more than six million people being paid by the state , with a bill that is close ( though not yet quite in excess of ) the monthly NHS budget .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker So while much of the emphasis in the PM 's speech was about caution and the slowness of removing those lockdown measures , it is clear that he also wants for those parts of the economy that were never really supposed to have shut down to be restarted .
That brings us to a broader issue - that while many have criticised the government for how slow it was to impose these economic measures , in reality many employers and employees were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official shutdown began .
Which raises another question : will that caution remain in place even after the formal lockdown measures have been lifted ?
And what of the economic impact ?
So far the lockdown timetable is more or less in line with what both the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Bank of England have plugged into their models - lasting until the end of this quarter with a slowish return to normal life thereafter .
That will leave the UK economy heading , according to their scenarios , for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centuries - though they both assume that most if not all of that lost income will return in the following years .
However , should the lockdown stay in place beyond June or July , the costs will very quickly mount up .
According to the Bank , every extra two weeks will cause a further 1.25 % dip in economic growth this year .
According to the OBR , every extra month of lockdown will mean an extra £35bn to £45bn in borrowing .
These are enormous sums for relatively small time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made clear tonight , the government 's priority is saving lives , however he is clearly aware that in the meantime the economy is really suffering .
`` Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson are at loggerheads over the future of lockdown '' The Scottish first minister and the prime minister have a non-relationship at the best of times - it might now be at its worst .
It should not surprise us - distrust underpins the political dynamic between Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson .
It is aggravated now , of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life or death .
It is quite a moment when one political leader accuses another of putting lives at risk .
If Mrs Sturgeon couches it carefully in her daily news briefings , the subtext is clear .
She said it would be `` catastrophic '' to drop the stay at home message .
Opinion polls show far more Scots have more confidence in her than in Mr Johnson to make the right decisions on COVID-19 .
On support and strategy , distance between the pair grows as coronavirus continues .
If common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sturgeon and Mr Johnson early in this crisis , it just got more difficult .
`` The prime minister 's guidance to business was cautious and limited '' For business and workers the broad theme of the prime minister 's statement was clear , but the details of how they should respond in the short and medium term were clouded with questions and uncertainty .
The dominant message is that economic recovery remains a secondary issue while the virus remains widespread and unpredictable in the UK .
As a consequence Boris Johnson 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His plea for manufacturing and construction workers to return simply restates existing advice .
Factories and building sites have been free to operate , with appropriate social distancing , since lockdown began .
The fact it was required tells us only that businesses and workers have been more cautious than expected .
For retailers there was the possibility that some currently non-essential shops may open in June but there was no detail on what kind , not even for heavily-trailed garden centres .
Downing Street said they can reopen on Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed by a minister .
And the hospitality industry , decimated already , was offered the carrot of limited July reopening , but few are convinced that is probable or that there will be the consumer confidence to sustain them .
What was missing was any detail on how all these sectors can open safely .
Guidance to make them COVID-compliant is on the way , Mr Johnson said , but the sceptical response from businesses and unions told us they are a long way from agreed .
For workers there are practical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to work if public transport is observing social distancing and running at limited capacity ?
And can the kids of a scaffolder or a lathe operator now join those of nurses and binmen at school ?
Some of these questions we will work out for ourselves .
The public was on its way to lockdown before the government ordered it , and has begun the exit ahead of this announcement .
But for workplaces and workers , customers and colleagues , the practical guidance and detail matters .
The economic restart and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is at least three weeks off , but the pressure to provide clear answers comes now .

Boris Johnson has announced a new set of rules as the UK's coronavirus lockdown goes into the next phase.
Sky News' experts provide their analysis on the new plans.
"Get the timing wrong and the government will have to reimpose lockdown to stop a second wave"
By Thomas Moore, science correspondent
Easing the lockdown depends on a series of big "ifs", the prime minister said.
Only if the number of cases continues to fall and only if the virus does not begin to spread faster.
Giving us more freedom is to a large extent a political gamble.
The number of new cases are following a reassuring downward trend.
The lockdown has shrunk the epidemic. Staying at home has saved lives.
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 14:07 PM's lockdown statement - In full
But the more contact there is between people, the more the virus spreads.
The R number that the prime minister referred to is somewhere between 0.5 and 0.9 at the moment. Every 10 infected people will pass the virus on to five to nine others.
But if the R number climbs above one, the epidemic could quickly take off again.
Even Germany, which has done so much right in controlling the virus, has seen a rapid increase in transmission and some regions are reimposing restrictions on movement.
The prime minister said easing lockdown can only happen if the number of cases continues to fall.
Right now there are an estimated 200,000 people who have the infection.
And the true number of new infections every day is thought to be around 20,000. Those are the numbers that will give the government sleepless nights.
It is no surprise that outdoor activity and relaxation is being eased first. It is far easier to maintain the two metre rule outside.
Image: Illustration of the coronavirus, featuring the spike proteins in red. Pic: US CDC
And no surprise that people are being urged to avoid the confines of public transport for the same reason.
But re-opening schools, pubs and restaurants is much higher risk.
Get the timing wrong and the government would quickly have to reimpose the lockdown or the country would head into a second wave of COVID-19.
"The push for construction to get back to work shows the lockdown has been more effective than expected"
By Ed Conway, economics editor
One of the more telling moments in the prime minister's address tonight was when he said that some workers - especially those who work in construction and manufacturing - should "be actively encouraged to go to work".
The context to this is that in one very real sense the government's lockdown has been even more effective than they really expected.
Although there was a lack of clarity about it early on, they never really wanted the construction sector to grind to a halt.
They never really intended for the manufacturing sector to drop its output so quickly and comprehensively.
They mostly expected the parts of the economy affected by the lockdown would be areas where social distancing was most difficult: hospitality, restaurants, hotels, schools and so on.
But, the construction and manufacturing sectors have had their sharpest decline on record. The economy has ground to even more of a halt than the lockdown was supposed to engineer.
Indeed the furlough scheme now has more than six million people being paid by the state, with a bill that is close (though not yet quite in excess of) the monthly NHS budget.
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
So while much of the emphasis in the PM's speech was about caution and the slowness of removing those lockdown measures, it is clear that he also wants for those parts of the economy that were never really supposed to have shut down to be restarted.
That brings us to a broader issue - that while many have criticised the government for how slow it was to impose these economic measures, in reality many employers and employees were already reacting with caution well before the official shutdown began.
Which raises another question: will that caution remain in place even after the formal lockdown measures have been lifted?
And what of the economic impact? So far the lockdown timetable is more or less in line with what both the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Bank of England have plugged into their models - lasting until the end of this quarter with a slowish return to normal life thereafter.
Image: The Bank of England said if the lockdown lifts in June or July the costs will be extremely high
That will leave the UK economy heading, according to their scenarios, for the biggest economic contraction in more than three centuries - though they both assume that most if not all of that lost income will return in the following years.
However, should the lockdown stay in place beyond June or July, the costs will very quickly mount up. According to the Bank, every extra two weeks will cause a further 1.25% dip in economic growth this year.
According to the OBR, every extra month of lockdown will mean an extra £35bn to £45bn in borrowing. These are enormous sums for relatively small time periods.
As the prime minister has made clear tonight, the government's priority is saving lives, however he is clearly aware that in the meantime the economy is really suffering.
"Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson are at loggerheads over the future of lockdown"
By James Matthews, Scotland bureau chief
The Scottish first minister and the prime minister have a non-relationship at the best of times - it might now be at its worst.
It should not surprise us - distrust underpins the political dynamic between Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson.
It is aggravated now, of course, by the stakes - nothing less than life or death.
Image: Nicola Sturgeon is at loggerheads with Boris Johnson over the next phase
It is quite a moment when one political leader accuses another of putting lives at risk.
If Mrs Sturgeon couches it carefully in her daily news briefings, the subtext is clear.
She said it would be "catastrophic" to drop the stay at home message.
Opinion polls show far more Scots have more confidence in her than in Mr Johnson to make the right decisions on COVID-19.
On support and strategy, distance between the pair grows as coronavirus continues.
If common purpose forged an uneasy peace between Mrs Sturgeon and Mr Johnson early in this crisis, it just got more difficult.
"The prime minister's guidance to business was cautious and limited"
By Paul Kelso, business correspondent
For business and workers the broad theme of the prime minister's statement was clear, but the details of how they should respond in the short and medium term were clouded with questions and uncertainty.
The dominant message is that economic recovery remains a secondary issue while the virus remains widespread and unpredictable in the UK. As a consequence Boris Johnson's guidance to business was cautious and limited.
His plea for manufacturing and construction workers to return simply restates existing advice. Factories and building sites have been free to operate, with appropriate social distancing, since lockdown began. The fact it was required tells us only that businesses and workers have been more cautious than expected.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:39 Businesses and schools wary of lockdown plan
For retailers there was the possibility that some currently non-essential shops may open in June but there was no detail on what kind, not even for heavily-trailed garden centres. Downing Street said they can reopen on Wednesday, but that is yet to be publicly confirmed by a minister.
And the hospitality industry, decimated already, was offered the carrot of limited July reopening, but few are convinced that is probable or that there will be the consumer confidence to sustain them.
What was missing was any detail on how all these sectors can open safely. Guidance to make them COVID-compliant is on the way, Mr Johnson said, but the sceptical response from businesses and unions told us they are a long way from agreed.
For workers there are practical questions too. How should they practically get to work if public transport is observing social distancing and running at limited capacity? And can the kids of a scaffolder or a lathe operator now join those of nurses and binmen at school?
Some of these questions we will work out for ourselves. The public was on its way to lockdown before the government ordered it, and has begun the exit ahead of this announcement.
But for workplaces and workers, customers and colleagues, the practical guidance and detail matters. The economic restart and the widening of the workforce it requires is at least three weeks off, but the pressure to provide clear answers comes now.


news--2020-05-10--Coronavirus: Germany infection rate rises after lockdown eased, as thousands protest restrictions

Coronavirus infections in Germany are rising , just days after the country eased its lockdown restrictions .
The Robert Koch Institute for disease control announced the country 's COVID-19 reproduction rate , or R , had risen to 1.1 .
When it goes above 1 , it means the number of infections is growing .
It had fallen to 0.7 before Chancellor Angela Merkel bowed to pressure from leaders of Germany 's 16 federal states to restart social life and revive the economy on Wednesday .
And despite the acceleration in cases and her announcing measures that included more shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thousands took to streets in parts of the country on Saturday to demand an end to all restrictions .
Karl Lauterbach , a professor of epidemiology and Social Democrat lawmaker , warned a rapid spread of COVID-19 was likely after he saw large crowds out and about in his home city of Cologne .
`` It has to be expected that the R rate will go over 1 and we will return to exponential growth , '' he said in a tweet .
`` The loosening measures were far too poorly prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday that Germany 's confirmed number of new coronavirus cases had increased by 667 to 169,218 , while the daily death toll had risen by 26 to 7,395 .
The institute said in a separate daily bulletin issued on Saturday evening that `` it is too early to infer whether the number of new infections will continue to decrease as in the past weeks or increase again '' .
It also warned that the R figure was subject to statistical uncertainty , adding : `` The increase of the reproduction number R @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
When relaxing the lockdown , Ms Merkel also announced an `` emergency brake '' to allow for restrictions to be reimposed if infections pick up again .
But despite the removal of some restrictions , protesters gathered in a number of German cities to demand they were all abandoned .
They included around 3,000 people who took part in a demonstration in Munich .
Although police admitted some of those present ignored social-distancing rules , officers said they did not halt it so as to `` avoid escalation '' .
Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in Europe but has managed to contain fatalities thanks to widespread and early testing and a healthcare system that is well-run and well-funded .
Critics say the latest phase of its pandemic management has placed too much burden on local authorities to detect and respond to new outbreaks .
A threshold set at 50 cases per 100,000 people for reimposing distancing measures is also seen by some epidemiologists as too high .
It has already been triggered in two districts in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig Holstein , where COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processing plants .

Coronavirus infections in Germany are rising, just days after the country eased its lockdown restrictions.
The Robert Koch Institute for disease control announced the country's COVID-19 reproduction rate, or R, had risen to 1.1.
When it goes above 1, it means the number of infections is growing.
Image: Protesters gather in Munich to demand a total end to the coronavirus lockdown
It had fallen to 0.7 before Chancellor Angela Merkel bowed to pressure from leaders of Germany's 16 federal states to restart social life and revive the economy on Wednesday.
And despite the acceleration in cases and her announcing measures that included more shop openings and a gradual return to school, thousands took to streets in parts of the country on Saturday to demand an end to all restrictions.
Karl Lauterbach, a professor of epidemiology and Social Democrat lawmaker, warned a rapid spread of COVID-19 was likely after he saw large crowds out and about in his home city of Cologne.
"It has to be expected that the R rate will go over 1 and we will return to exponential growth," he said in a tweet.
"The loosening measures were far too poorly prepared."
The Robert Koch Institute said on Sunday that Germany's confirmed number of new coronavirus cases had increased by 667 to 169,218, while the daily death toll had risen by 26 to 7,395.
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Image: A protesters with a placard bearing an image of US president Donald Trump
The institute said in a separate daily bulletin issued on Saturday evening that "it is too early to infer whether the number of new infections will continue to decrease as in the past weeks or increase again".
It also warned that the R figure was subject to statistical uncertainty, adding: "The increase of the reproduction number R necessitates a close monitoring of the situation."
Image: Police officers attend as protesters gather in Marienplatz
When relaxing the lockdown, Ms Merkel also announced an "emergency brake" to allow for restrictions to be reimposed if infections pick up again.
But despite the removal of some restrictions, protesters gathered in a number of German cities to demand they were all abandoned.
Image: Officers talk to a protester against coronavirus restrictions in Munich
They included around 3,000 people who took part in a demonstration in Munich. Although police admitted some of those present ignored social-distancing rules, officers said they did not halt it so as to "avoid escalation".
Germany has the sixth-largest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Europe but has managed to contain fatalities thanks to widespread and early testing and a healthcare system that is well-run and well-funded.
Image: Police film the protest in Munich
Image: A protester gesticulates as police look on
Critics say the latest phase of its pandemic management has placed too much burden on local authorities to detect and respond to new outbreaks.
A threshold set at 50 cases per 100,000 people for reimposing distancing measures is also seen by some epidemiologists as too high.
It has already been triggered in two districts in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig Holstein, where COVID-19 has broken out among workers at meat processing plants.


news--2020-05-10--Coronavirus: Third Brighton player tests positive for COVID-19

A third Brighton player has tested positive for coronavirus , the club has confirmed .
The unnamed player is going to isolate for 14 days while he recovers from COVID-19 .
It is believed that the rest of the squad are going to continue their training - either at home or through solo sessions at Brighton 's training ground - as has been the case during the lockdown .
Two other players have recovered after contracting coronavirus earlier in the pandemic , but it is not clear whether they have returned to training yet .
Brighton 's chief executive Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest confirmed case in the first-team squad came despite the strict safety precautions that have been put in place during the outbreak .
On Sunday , he said : `` It is a concern .
Unfortunately we 've had a third player test positive yesterday .
`` Despite all the measures we have all been taking over the last few weeks , when the players have n't been involved in taking any significant training at all , we have still suffered another player testing positive for the virus .
`` There are concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all clubs to have those concerns .
We want to make sure we do all that we can that the protocols that are put into place are safe and secure and mitigate the risk . ''
The confirmed case comes ahead of a crunch Premier League meeting on Monday , where clubs are expected to vote on plans to complete the season at neutral venues .
Brighton has criticised the proposals - insisting that the campaign should be played out on a home-and-away basis .
Mr Barber added : `` People will accuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , but at this stage of the season there is self-interest at every level of the table .
`` There is as much self-interest at the top as there is at the bottom , there is as much self-interest in the middle as there is at the bottom .
`` Everyone has different objectives for the season and we are all looking to play out the season , if it is safe to do so .
`` We really do want to play and we want to make sure the competition stays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these exceptional circumstances that we are facing . ''
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Meanwhile , Spain 's La Liga has confirmed that five players in its top two football divisions have tested positive for coronavirus .
The unnamed sport stars are asymptomatic and in the final phase of the disease , but will go into quarantine and be unable to return to group training until they have had two negative tests .
The Spanish league had resumed group training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their league in June .

A third Brighton player has tested positive for coronavirus, the club has confirmed.
The unnamed player is going to isolate for 14 days while he recovers from COVID-19.
It is believed that the rest of the squad are going to continue their training - either at home or through solo sessions at Brighton's training ground - as has been the case during the lockdown.
Image: Brighton chief executive Paul Barber says the newly confirmed case is a 'concern'
Two other players have recovered after contracting coronavirus earlier in the pandemic, but it is not clear whether they have returned to training yet.
Brighton's chief executive Paul Barber told Sky Sports News that the latest confirmed case in the first-team squad came despite the strict safety precautions that have been put in place during the outbreak.
On Sunday, he said: "It is a concern. Unfortunately we've had a third player test positive yesterday.
"Despite all the measures we have all been taking over the last few weeks, when the players haven't been involved in taking any significant training at all, we have still suffered another player testing positive for the virus.
"There are concerns and I think it is normal for all clubs to have those concerns. We want to make sure we do all that we can that the protocols that are put into place are safe and secure and mitigate the risk."
Image: It is believed that the rest of Brighton's squad are going to continue their training
The confirmed case comes ahead of a crunch Premier League meeting on Monday, where clubs are expected to vote on plans to complete the season at neutral venues.
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Brighton has criticised the proposals - insisting that the campaign should be played out on a home-and-away basis.
Mr Barber added: "People will accuse us of self-interest, I totally understand that, but at this stage of the season there is self-interest at every level of the table.
"There is as much self-interest at the top as there is at the bottom, there is as much self-interest in the middle as there is at the bottom.
"Everyone has different objectives for the season and we are all looking to play out the season, if it is safe to do so.
"We really do want to play and we want to make sure the competition stays as fair as it can be despite these exceptional circumstances that we are facing."
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Meanwhile, Spain's La Liga has confirmed that five players in its top two football divisions have tested positive for coronavirus.
The unnamed sport stars are asymptomatic and in the final phase of the disease, but will go into quarantine and be unable to return to group training until they have had two negative tests.
The Spanish league had resumed group training this week with a view to resuming their league in June.


news--2020-05-10--Coronavirus: Prince Charles sends 'heartfelt thanks' to Royal Mail in a letter

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have sent a `` heartfelt thanks - and a big thumbs up '' to Britain 's postal workers in a letter .
Addressed to `` Everyone at Royal Mail '' , the couple thanked staff for their `` dedication , resilience and hard work '' during the coronavirus pandemic .
The letter was left on a bench outside the royals ' front door at Birkhall , Aberdeenshire , where it was collected on Tuesday by their local postman Neil Martin , who has been delivering mail to households for 36 years .
The Prince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the value of Royal Mail staff `` has never been more important '' as `` many people have taken the time to write a letter , or a card , to those from whom they are separated '' .
`` Receiving such a personal message at this difficult and anxious time can mean an enormous amount , '' Charles and Camilla wrote .
`` We feel sure that a very large number of these special greetings will be treasured for years to come .
They may even become a valuable resource for social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and postwomen are trusted figures in our local communities .
They are a constant presence in an ever-changing world .
For some people , they are a point of daily human contact ; a friendly , familiar face . ''
They added : `` Many of you , we know , have gone above and beyond what is normally expected of you .
We have heard wonderful stories of postmen and postwomen checking on older and vulnerable residents , raising funds for good causes , even wearing fancy dress costumes to raise a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people - ourselves included - are obliged to stay at home , Royal Mail plays an absolutely vital role in keeping family and friends in touch with one another .
For that , we can only say how deeply grateful we are and send you our kindest wishes . ''
The Royal Mail has launched a Thumbs Up For Your Postie campaign to encourage customers to show their appreciation for postal workers .
The public is being urged to give posties a `` thumbs up '' - from a safe two-metre distance under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the move is also a handy reminder for people not to reach out to try and take letters and parcels directly from posties to ensure the delivery is contact-free .

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have sent a "heartfelt thanks - and a big thumbs up" to Britain's postal workers in a letter.
Addressed to "Everyone at Royal Mail", the couple thanked staff for their "dedication, resilience and hard work" during the coronavirus pandemic.
The letter was left on a bench outside the royals' front door at Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, where it was collected on Tuesday by their local postman Neil Martin, who has been delivering mail to households for 36 years.
Image: Postman Neil Martin talks to the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall from a distance
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall said the value of Royal Mail staff "has never been more important" as "many people have taken the time to write a letter, or a card, to those from whom they are separated".
"Receiving such a personal message at this difficult and anxious time can mean an enormous amount," Charles and Camilla wrote.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:43 Camilla: Charles is 'workaholic' in lockdown
"We feel sure that a very large number of these special greetings will be treasured for years to come. They may even become a valuable resource for social historians in the future.
"Postmen and postwomen are trusted figures in our local communities. They are a constant presence in an ever-changing world. For some people, they are a point of daily human contact; a friendly, familiar face."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:23 Princess Charlotte celebrates birthday
They added: "Many of you, we know, have gone above and beyond what is normally expected of you. We have heard wonderful stories of postmen and postwomen checking on older and vulnerable residents, raising funds for good causes, even wearing fancy dress costumes to raise a smile...
"Today, as many people - ourselves included - are obliged to stay at home, Royal Mail plays an absolutely vital role in keeping family and friends in touch with one another. For that, we can only say how deeply grateful we are and send you our kindest wishes."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:12 The Queen's historic UK lockdown address in full
The Royal Mail has launched a Thumbs Up For Your Postie campaign to encourage customers to show their appreciation for postal workers.
The public is being urged to give posties a "thumbs up" - from a safe two-metre distance under social distancing rules.
The Royal Mail said the move is also a handy reminder for people not to reach out to try and take letters and parcels directly from posties to ensure the delivery is contact-free.


news--2020-05-10--Coronavirus: Top restaurant chef warns 'our industry is on the verge of collapse'

Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing has warned the hospitality industry is in danger of collapsing unless it receives more help from the government .
In a stark warning , Wareing told Sky News there will be lots of restaurant closures and a `` huge amount '' of unemployment if more is not done to support the sector , which is worth £100bn a year to the UK .
Boris Johnson announced on Sunday that some hospitality businesses could possibly open in July at the earliest as he eased the COVID-19 lockdown slightly after seven weeks .
Wareing , who is chef @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London , told Sky News : `` I thought it was a perfect opportunity to give us a little bit more meat on the bone , it would have been nice to have a bit more from him about the big picture .
`` I am incredibly nervous about the future , I have no clue how to deal with social distancing in a kitchen or in hospitality .
`` For me and my colleagues in the industry , we need some guidelines and we need it soon .
`` We ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get some titbits of information to show us how to go forward .
`` We are very concerned - we were the first to close down and we 're going to be the last to reopen .
`` I 'm worried for my own health and my staff and customers , it 's really a scary thing to think we 're going to have to go to work in a kitchen which is very much an open playing field where staff are very much a team , they 're connecting with each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You 're putting food on a plate which gets carried by a waiter and that food is then put in front of the customer .
`` Social distancing does not work in hospitality . ''
All cafes , restaurants , pubs , bars and clubs were forced to close on 20 March - three days before the lockdown - with some carrying on with takeaway , but restaurants like Wareing 's were not able to do so .
The chef , who is a judge on Masterchef : The Professionals , praised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said if it continues but later decreases the industry `` would accept that '' .
But , he said restaurants work on very small margins and if social distancing meant opening up with 50 % capacity or less it would be extremely difficult to make ends meet .
`` You 've got your wages , your rent , your bills , your staff , the maths do not add up , '' he said .
`` Our industry is on the verge of collapse . ''
Wareing called on the government to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , get them into government , we need to talk about how we can move forward '' .
The 49-year-old added : `` My industry wants to go back to work , we can do this , but we need clear guidelines and it needs to come from above . ''
Wareing said the business secretary needs to get involved more and `` we definitely need more from the chancellor '' .
He added there are some `` fantastic '' hospitality leaders bringing some `` great ideas '' to the government but there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be helped .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' The hospitality industry will be one of the industries hit the hardest unless the government does something about it , '' Wareing warned .
`` It 's going to be very very bleak future for many years .
`` You 're going to see a lot of restaurants close and a huge amount of unemployment .
That is not something I look forward to . ''

Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing has warned the hospitality industry is in danger of collapsing unless it receives more help from the government.
In a stark warning, Wareing told Sky News there will be lots of restaurant closures and a "huge amount" of unemployment if more is not done to support the sector, which is worth £100bn a year to the UK.
Boris Johnson announced on Sunday that some hospitality businesses could possibly open in July at the earliest as he eased the COVID-19 lockdown slightly after seven weeks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:32 Coronavirus: PM announces new lockdown rules
Wareing, who is chef patron at the Michelin-starred restaurant Marcus in London, told Sky News: "I thought it was a perfect opportunity to give us a little bit more meat on the bone, it would have been nice to have a bit more from him about the big picture.
"I am incredibly nervous about the future, I have no clue how to deal with social distancing in a kitchen or in hospitality.
"For me and my colleagues in the industry, we need some guidelines and we need it soon.
"We can't sit at home just hoping we may get some titbits of information to show us how to go forward.
"We are very concerned - we were the first to close down and we're going to be the last to reopen.
"I'm worried for my own health and my staff and customers, it's really a scary thing to think we're going to have to go to work in a kitchen which is very much an open playing field where staff are very much a team, they're connecting with each other, they're tasting food.
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"You're putting food on a plate which gets carried by a waiter and that food is then put in front of the customer.
"Social distancing does not work in hospitality."
All cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs were forced to close on 20 March - three days before the lockdown - with some carrying on with takeaway, but restaurants like Wareing's were not able to do so.
The chef, who is a judge on Masterchef: The Professionals, praised the furlough scheme as "incredible" and said if it continues but later decreases the industry "would accept that".
But, he said restaurants work on very small margins and if social distancing meant opening up with 50% capacity or less it would be extremely difficult to make ends meet.
"You've got your wages, your rent, your bills, your staff, the maths do not add up," he said.
"Our industry is on the verge of collapse."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:46 What do the new lockdown rules mean?
Wareing called on the government to "take on some leaders of our industry, get them into government, we need to talk about how we can move forward".
The 49-year-old added: "My industry wants to go back to work, we can do this, but we need clear guidelines and it needs to come from above."
Wareing said the business secretary needs to get involved more and "we definitely need more from the chancellor".
He added there are some "fantastic" hospitality leaders bringing some "great ideas" to the government but there are "so many things" that need to be helped.
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"The hospitality industry will be one of the industries hit the hardest unless the government does something about it," Wareing warned.
"It's going to be very very bleak future for many years.
"You're going to see a lot of restaurants close and a huge amount of unemployment. That is not something I look forward to."


news--2020-05-08--Coronavirus: More than 20 million Americans lose their jobs in one month

More than 20 million Americans lost their jobs last month due to the coronavirus pandemic in the country 's worst monthly loss on record .
US unemployment shot up from 4.4 % in March to 14.7 % in April , a monthly employment report has revealed .
The figures from the Department of Labor show that nearly all of the progress made since the 2008 financial crash has been wiped out by COVID-19 .
In February , the unemployment rate was at a 50-year-low of 3.5 % , but with businesses going bust and employers forced to lay off staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11-year recovery since the last crisis has been destroyed in just four weeks .
Now just 51.3 % of working-age Americans have jobs - the lowest level on record .
On top of the job losses , another 5.1 million workers had their hours reduced in April .
Though some businesses are beginning to reopen in certain states ; factories , hotels , restaurants , resorts , sporting venues , cinemas and many small businesses remain closed .
A total of 26.5 million people applied for unemployment benefits during April and the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK , the US had largely gone on lockdown by the end of March , with 32 out of 50 states implementing a near-total economic shutdown .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Certain states , particularly New York , have ramped up measures in a desperate bid to keep fatalities down , leaving the economy at a standstill .
President Donald Trump withdrew up to $ 500 million ( £401 million ) of World Health Organization ( WHO ) funding at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars have been injected into the economy from the Federal Reserve .
Some economists believe the worst damage to the job market has already been done and things will start to improve as the months continue .
The Congressional Budget Office has forecast that the unemployment rate will be 9.5 % by the end of next year .
But experts at the San Francisco Federal Reserve estimate it will take until at least mid-2021 for levels to go back to a normal level of around 4 % .
Senior economic analyst at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we thought the worst we 'd ever see with economic data would be during the financial crisis and Great Recession , the virus proved us wrong . ''

More than 20 million Americans lost their jobs last month due to the coronavirus pandemic in the country's worst monthly loss on record.
US unemployment shot up from 4.4% in March to 14.7% in April, a monthly employment report has revealed.
The figures from the Department of Labor show that nearly all of the progress made since the 2008 financial crash has been wiped out by COVID-19.
In February, the unemployment rate was at a 50-year-low of 3.5%, but with businesses going bust and employers forced to lay off staff or put them on furlough, the 11-year recovery since the last crisis has been destroyed in just four weeks.
Now just 51.3% of working-age Americans have jobs - the lowest level on record.
Image: Now just 51.3% of working-age Americans have jobs - the lowest level on record
On top of the job losses, another 5.1 million workers had their hours reduced in April.
Though some businesses are beginning to reopen in certain states; factories, hotels, restaurants, resorts, sporting venues, cinemas and many small businesses remain closed.
A total of 26.5 million people applied for unemployment benefits during April and the last week of March.
Like in the UK, the US had largely gone on lockdown by the end of March, with 32 out of 50 states implementing a near-total economic shutdown.
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Certain states, particularly New York, have ramped up measures in a desperate bid to keep fatalities down, leaving the economy at a standstill.
President Donald Trump withdrew up to $500 million (£401 million) of World Health Organization (WHO) funding at the beginning of the outbreak and trillions of dollars have been injected into the economy from the Federal Reserve.
Some economists believe the worst damage to the job market has already been done and things will start to improve as the months continue.
The Congressional Budget Office has forecast that the unemployment rate will be 9.5% by the end of next year.
But experts at the San Francisco Federal Reserve estimate it will take until at least mid-2021 for levels to go back to a normal level of around 4%.
Senior economic analyst at Bankrate Mark Hamrick told NBC: "If we thought the worst we'd ever see with economic data would be during the financial crisis and Great Recession, the virus proved us wrong."