thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--The Limits Of Boris Johnson’s ‘Your Country Needs You’ Message On Coronavirus

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War, what is it good for?
“I can’t remember anything like this in peacetime,” said Boris Johnson. “We are in a health war,” said Emmanuel Macron. Let’s stockpile guns and ammo, said American consumers (I’m not making this up, some really are).
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Although each country has its own response to the Covid-19 threat, most of them are treating it as a mortal enemy. Today, after nearly two weeks of restraint, the prime minister finally joined what looks like a global military effort with a rapid deployment of new weapons to target the virus. Or at least, it seemed he did.
In advising everyone to avoid non-essential travel and social contact and warning the most vulnerable over-70s to prepare for three months of home quarantine, the PM’s words felt like a serious medical mobilisation. The only major mitigating measure not announced was the closure of schools, and that remains in reserve.
We should be perhaps relieved that Johnson doesn’t share the assumption among some Americans that coronavirus can somehow be killed by actual bullets. But it was clear from the Downing Street announcement that there remain other, more important differences between his approach and that of other countries like France, Italy and the US.
Macron made plain that anyone who disobeyed his own edicts would face the might of the state. “Every infraction of these rules will be punished,” the president warned. When asked if he would introduce criminal sanctions, Johnson instead joked about UK ministers already having the power to ban handshaking. “We are a mature and grown-up and liberal democracy where people understand very clearly the advice that is given to them,” the PM added.
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That reluctance to order a draconian crackdown, while clearly wanting the effects of one, was what hung over the entire press conference. We know Johnson famously wanted to have his cake and eat it on Brexit. On coronavirus, he said he wanted ‘drastic action’, yet went out of his way to avoid looking like he was the one imposing it.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson gives a press conference about the ongoing situation with the coronavirus pandemic at 10 Downing Street in London. ASSOCIATED PRESS
With ‘mass gatherings’, the government has been happy to let big players like the football leagues (and today the Grand National) take the lead. Similarly, he today told the public not to go to pubs or restaurants, but didn’t take the crucial step of actually ordering their owners to close down (something many of them say would allow them to claim insurance and help save their businesses).
The ambivalence may be cleared up in coming days, but today it only added to the fog of war that hung around No.10’s messaging. There was a startling vagueness about key issues, not least on exactly how long the ban (sorry, advice) on non-essential travel and social contact would last. When I pressed the chief medical officer on this, he replied it would be for “a significant period of time”. For many people hoping to plan their lives, that will sound worryingly indefinite.
There was a real lack of clarity too about what was being announced overall. It took Matt Hancock an hour later to explain to MPs that fit over-70s were not part of the 12-week quarantine that will start this weekend (that’s just for older people with key underlying health conditions). But even he struggled to explain that healthy over-70s were ‘particularly’ advised to adhere to the social-distancing recommended by the PM.
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Similarly, the advice for those relatives of the elderly was far from clear in the press conference (it now states “they should not visit you during this time, unless they are providing essential care for you”). Most worrying of all for many younger adults, the advice for pregnant women suddenly changed with no notice whatsoever. And again, at first some thought they had been told to join the 12-week quarantine. It seems the advice is not based on any specific threat to pregnant women, other than they are generally prone to infection.
There were big gaps today on what protective clothing NHS staff would get, on whether social care staff would be treated like NHS workers. But the biggest hole actually came in Johnson’s remarks about the economic downturn we are now all facing. He sounded blithe and tone deaf about the need to financially support the low-paid who will be forced to stay at home. The chancellor tonight offered nothing new beyond the Budget measures already announced.
Johnson’s glib assertion that there’s “absolutely no reason why economies worldwide should not come roaring back” felt totally misplaced given that he had just announced moves that could lead many firms to go under. Having grasped the health policy consequences of the Imperial College findings today (250,000 UK deaths could occur without swift ‘suppression’ of the virus spread) it was as if his brain was still scrambling to catch up with the economic implications too.
Instead of asking car manufacturers (who are humouring him so far) to help manufacture ventilators that may or may not pass stringent medical requirements, many firms big and small will want to know where the real ‘drastic action’ is on the economy. And only Johnson, not they, can pull those levers. Trotting out Kitchener-style ‘Your Country Needs You’ messages only work if government is doing its own bit in return.
As for the PM, he likes to see himself as the Winston Churchill of our time. But maybe he’s more French than he realises. It was Napoleon who was alleged to have said “I would rather have a general who was lucky than one who was good”. It’s the PM’s good fortune that coronavirus hit the UK two months after his election rather than before it. One suspects that other political leaders will be swept aside over the coming year as their populations judge them on how they reacted to this global threat.
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Quote Of The Day
“Now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel.”
Boris Johnson reveals his newest advice to the general public
Monday Cheat Sheet
Boris Johnson unveiled new advice for the public on coronavirus. It’s unclear if Jeremy Corbyn (71 this year) will heed the advice for all over-70s to avoid non-essential travel.
The Commons and Lords Speakers announced that all visitor access to parliament would cease during the crisis. The public galleries in the Lords and Commons will be closed.
Labour’s Kate Osborne became the second MP to reveal she had tested positive for coronavirus.
The Opposition will “nod through” the Budget this week, as MPs focus instead on a vote on emergency powers for coronavirus.
The BBC is to delay TV licence fee changes for the over-75s. Free licences for to 3.7 million people had been due to be scrapped on 1 June, but that has been put back to 1 August.
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Best Graphics Ever On Squashing The Coronavirus Peak - Washington Post
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Mel And Sue Reveal They Quit The Great British Bake Off On Day One Of The First Series: ‘It Was Not

Mel And Sue Reveal They Quit The Great British Bake Off On Day One Of The First Series: ‘It Was Not A Kind Show’

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The comedy duo hosted the baking competition for seven series before it was poached from the BBC by Channel 4 in 2016.
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But in an interview with Radio Times, they admit that it nearly turned out very differently after they quit on the first day of filming.
(L-R) Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins Jon Furniss/Invision/AP
“We wanted to make it kind,” Mel says. “That was absolutely our number one priority and on day one we had quite a frank chat with the producers.”
Sue adds: “We resigned, basically. Because it was not a kind show.
“They were pointing cameras in the bakers’ faces and making them cry and saying, ‘Tell us about your dead gran.’ So we had very stiff words about how we wanted to proceed. I think we can say that, now we’re out of it, can’t we?
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“We’re quite cheesy and homespun and we just want to have a laugh. Who wants to see people crying? I don’t. Especially if you work in television and you know the mechanisms that have been used to make them cry.”
The pair also open up about their decision to quit the show when it was announced it was moving to Channel 4 - something they found out while watching the news.
Mel and Sue Radio Times
“It was painful, and we’ve kept our counsel as to the whys and wherefores, and I think there is dignity in that,” Sue says.
“It’s a show about cakes and the moment you get tied up in intense feelings you tell yourself to stop being silly.
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“We wish it the best and in return we just wanted them to understand that it would have been hard for us to carry on in those circumstances. There’s no antagonism there. I just think, ‘If you’re going to let us find out that way [from TV], then we’re not really a team, are we?’”
Mel adds: “It was hard, but it was the right time. I think it’s good to leave the party before the sandwiches start to turn up at the corners. I have no problem at all with the fact that the show still goes on.”
Last week, it was announced that Sandi Toksvig – one of Mel and Sue’s replacement hosts on the Channel 4 incarnation of the show – was leaving after three years.
She is set to be replaced by Little Britain star Matt Lucas, who will share presenting duties with existing host Noel Fielding.
Read the full interview with Mel and Sue in the new edition of Radio Times, out now. www.radiotimes.com
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-16--Experts Warn Of 250,000 Coronavirus Deaths In UK Without Tougher Restrictions

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Experts are predicting that around 250,000 people in Britain will die as a result of the coronavirus outbreak unless the government takes hardline action to protect the public.
A report by Covid-19 specialists at the Imperial College, which has been advising ministers, said that even with the “social distancing” plans set out by the government, the health system will be “overwhelmed many times over”.
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In its latest report, it said the only “viable strategy” is a Chinese-style policy of “suppression” involving the social distancing of the entire population.
It said such measures would need to be maintained potentially for 18 months or more until an effective vaccine became available.
“Even if all patients were able to be treated, we predict there would still be of the order of 250,000 deaths in GB,” it said.
The Imperial College report said it had only reached its conclusions in the last few days based on experience in Italy and the UK.
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The stark warning came as Boris Johnson ratcheted up the response to the escalating coronavirus outbreak, urging everyone in the UK to stop non-essential contact or travel with others.
The prime minister urged people to work from home and avoid pubs, clubs and theatres as he held the first in a series of daily Downing Street press conferences.
“This advice about avoiding all social contact is particularly important for people over 70, for pregnant women and for those with some health conditions,” Johnson said.
He also told all those with a persistent cough or high temperature to self-isolate for 14 days, and for their families to join them in doing it.
The government will also no longer support mass gatherings with emergency workers.
Mass gatherings are something “we are now moving emphatically away from,” Johnson said.
Johnson said, by the weekend, groups particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 - over-70s with underlying conditions - will be asked to stay at home for 12 weeks to “ensure this period of shielding, this period of maximum protection coincides with the peak of the disease”.
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Special guidance will be issued by the NHS for the 1.4 million people most at risk from the disease – including the elderly with underlying health conditions – on further measures they need to take to “shield” themselves from it.
However, the Imperial College report warned that even with such a dramatic closing down of normal life, the surge capacity limits of health systems of both the UK and the US – which is adopting similar measures – were likely to be “exceeded many times over”.
“In the most effective mitigation strategy examined, which leads to a single, relatively short epidemic (case isolation, household quarantine and social distancing of the elderly), the surge limits for both general ward and ICU (intensive care unit) beds would be exceeded by at least eight-fold under the more optimistic scenario for critical care requirements that we examined,” it said.
A coronavirus information sign at King's Cross railway station in London. PA
“In addition, even if all patients were able to be treated, we predict there would still be in the order of 250,000 deaths in GB, and 1.1-1.2 million in the US.”
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The report said there was now no alternative but to move to a policy of total “suppression” involving the social distancing of the entire population, home isolation of cases and household quarantine of their family members.
Even then, it said that it was “not at all certain” that the strategy would succeed in the long term.
“The social and economic effects of the measures which are needed to achieve this policy goal will be profound,” it said.
“No public health intervention with such disruptive effects on society has been previously attempted for such a long duration of time. How populations and societies will respond remains unclear.”
In response, a government spokesman said that the recommendations put forward its Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) were in line with “best current evidence”.
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“This is a very fast-moving situation. In order to give the most robust scientific advice Sage draws upon and considers a range of evidence and views to reach its recommendations,” the spokesman said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Pubs And Restaurants To Trade As Takeaways In Bid To Beat Coronavirus Closures

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Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to turn themselves into hot food takeaways in an emergency move to save them from closure during the coronavirus crisis.
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick announced that he was relaxing planning rules on takeaways to enable businesses to stay afloat and save jobs.
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The measures are the latest in a series of steps the government is taking to support businesses which face huge drops in customers because of the government’s latest advice to end all but essential social contact and travel.
The new changes will kick in within days, although insiders stressed that pubs would only be able to deliver food not alcohol to people’s homes.
The coronavirus crackdown is expected to prompt a huge surge in home deliveries as millions are effectively told to work from home and reduce contact in their local area.
In the US, Amazon announced it was hiring 100,000 extra staff to cope with the surge in demand.
People outside Ye Olde Waitling pub, London, England, United Kingdom. Holger Leue via Getty Images
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Jenrick said: “We are committed to doing everything we can to tackle the pandemic and support people, businesses and communities through this difficult time.
“These changes will provide vital flexibility to pubs and restaurants and will ensure people are able to safely stay at home while still supporting some of the great local businesses across this country.
“The government has confirmed the relaxations to planning rules will be put in place as soon as possible to provide reassurance to businesses and enable them to start providing takeaways to people quickly.”
Jenrick’s move is the latest in ‘regulatory’ easing that the government hopes will help British firms stay in business in coming months.
HuffPost UK understands that a key policy to help workers keep their jobs will be a National Insurance change for employers, effectively channeling cash to staff even if their firms suffer a big drop in trade during the crisis. Universal Credit rules are also set to change to help gig economy workers and the self-employed hit by self-isolation measures.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson And The Need For Speed In Fighting Coronavirus

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Rishi’s rushin’ roulette
On the eve of his 1997 election landslide, Tony Blair famously warned Britons that they had “24 hours to save the NHS”. Right now, it feels like we have just a few weeks to save the NHS from being overwhelmed by the sheer number of severe coronavirus cases in the UK. That’s not political sloganeering, it’s a hard fact on the mind of every single member of the government.
That’s why everything the government does is targeted at one overriding aim: buying time for the NHS to build up its capacity to deal with the onslaught. Neil Ferguson, the Imperial College epidemiologist whose work prompted the acceleration in counter-measures, underlined the rationale, warning that “we’re about three weeks or so behind Italy, two weeks behind France and Spain”.
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And in another crucial bit of candour from the key figures advising No.10, chief scientist Sir Patrick Vallance told MPs today that if the UK can get the number of coronavirus deaths to “20,000 and below” that would be a “good outcome” in relative terms, though it would be “still horrible”.
Meanwhile, the NHS is on course to get the number of life-saving ventilators to around 12,000, but there’s a desperate drive to get even more. NHS boss Simon Stevens admitted there was a move to ‘ramp up’ distribution of protective equipment to ensure it goes to every front line worker who needs it (I’m told that in London some ambulance crews don’t have any at all).
But while the sense of urgency on the health front is real and growing, is there a similar move towards swift action on the economic front? Well, chancellor Rishi Sunak (again prompted by that Imperial College research) today certainly had to go much further than even the £12bn injection of funds for Covid-19 in his Budget just a few days ago.
Overall, the new £350bn package of emergency loans and grants will reassure many, as will the mantra repeated by both Sunak and Boris Johnson (at least six times) that the UK will do and spend ’whatever it takes” to combat the disease.
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The scramble to devise a new economic plan wasn’t without glaring omissions, not least the lack of any reference to people who rent, as opposed to those who will get mortgage holidays. Sunak said afterwards that communities secretary Robert Jenrick will announce help for renters ‘in coming days’, but many will be worried in the meantime.
Millions of people will also wonder why there was no worked-up policy to help individual employees and not just companies. Sunak did talk in vague terms about a ‘new form of employment support’, but that lack of clarity led the TUC’s Frances O’Grady to say “this can’t be just a bailout for boardrooms” and it has to put money in workers’ pockets too.
When even the Donald Trump White House (hardly a home of democratic socialism) is “sending cheques (worth around $1,000) to Americans immediately”, the pressure is on the British government to take real action to reassure everyone worried about being laid off. Sunak did however signal he wanted firms not to act hastily in shedding staff, saying “they don’t need to rush these decisions”.
The Treasury does need to rush though, and has to work fast to get the right support package in place in the next few days. Government sources tell me that the wish to keep people in work will drive policy, with changes to National Insurance paid by employers and to Universal Credit the twin ways of effectively giving each worker a wage subsidy to tide them over. Insiders think Labour is missing a trick by talking about rises to statutory sick pay, which covers just a couple of weeks, rather than the longer-term support needed to avoid lay-offs.
The need for speed, however, also means that school closures is a very pressing issue. A detailed look at that Imperial College graph suggests all-out closures from April 1 onwards. When I asked the PM how he would stop children on free meals from going hungry, his reply felt like that of someone who has decided closures are inevitable and closer than ever. ‘Skeleton schools’, staffed to provide childcare for NHS and food retailer workers, seem highly likely at Easter and beyond. As for exams, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are delayed to the autumn.
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Amid all of these drastic measures, it’s important to remember again that they are directed at that sole aim of saving lives. But it still felt today that Johnson himself saw his role as the nation’s cheerer-upper and in a way that seems to jar with the public mood. And at times, it seemed that Sunak (who had an impressive grasp of the figures and issues) was the grown up politician in the room, despite his youth.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. ASSOCIATED PRESS
As the chancellor explained the shock the economy would be “significant”, Johnson had said “be in no doubt, those companies will bounce back”. Workers for firms who don’t ‘bounce back’ won’t thank him for such boosterism. Similarly, the PM declared of coronavirus itself “we know that we will beat it”. If a vaccine is somehow delayed, if there’s a second spike globally, if it becomes an annual event, such blithe predictions may look trite indeed.
Of course, Johnson won a large majority on the back of his mission to confound ‘the doomsters and the gloomsters’. Yet he is clearly still finding difficult the switch from campaign mode to governing mode, especially as he now has to govern like never before.
Which brings us to the final big problem he will face in coming months: Brexit. With every country in the EU, and the European Commission, focusing on the need to combat coronavirus, how on earth will London and Brussels find the bandwidth to hammer out a detailed trade deal by this summer? That’s the deadline for the UK to request any extension of its transition status beyond the end of 2020.
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No.10 right now is determined to stress governments can do more than one thing at once and there is no way it will be changing course. Yet given the sheer scale of this international health threat, and the highly detailed nature of the Brexit trade talks, the public may well understand if there is a fresh delay. After all, as the PM keeps reminding us, he got Brexit ‘done’. Won’t the really pressing deadline - of countering coronavirus in coming weeks - be the one that matters above all else?
Quote Of The Day
“In some ways it is like a wartime situation. We ran during the second world war budget deficits in excess of 20 per cent of GDP five years on the trot and that was the right thing to do at the time.”
Robert Chote, of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility
Tuesday Cheat Sheet
Emergency powers which include giving police and immigration officers the right to detain and quarantine people who may be infected with coronavirus will be introduced by the government this week.
Dominic Raab said the government is advising against all non-urgent travel abroad for the next 30 days.
All face-to-face Brexit talks have been cancelled this week as coronavirus tightens its grip across Europe.
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Rebecca Long-Bailey cancelled her leadership phone bank to redirect volunteers towards helping with community efforts to cope with coronavirus.
At his trial into allegations of sexual assault, Alex Salmond said the claims were ‘deliberate fabrications for a political purpose’ or ‘exaggerations’.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: Job Losses As Hawksmoor Restaurant Chain Closes Down Temporarily

Restaurant chain Hawksmoor is closing all of its restaurants as coronavirus hits the hospitality industry and forces firms to cut jobs.
The London-based steakhouse and cocktail bar business announced the temporary measure “in the interest of public health” on Tuesday night.
A statement by owners Will Beckett and Huw Gott posted online said it meant they had to “end the employment of some of the wonderful people” who work for them.
It comes a day after Boris Johnson asked people to stop non-essential contact and avoid pubs in a bid to slow the spread of the disease.
Hawksmoor operates eight restaurants in London, Manchester and Edinburgh and had in 2020 planned to expand to New York.
Beckett and Gott said temporary move was aimed at guaranteeing the long-term survival of the chain. It is not known how many staff have lost their jobs.
The statement says: “As of tomorrow we will temporarily close all of the Hawksmoor restaurants – I feel that that is clearly what the government is advising us to do even if they are not mandating it. It is clearly in the interest of public health to do so and nothing is more important than that, in particular our responsibilities to the elderly and the vulnerable.
“I have also had to end the employment of some of the wonderful people who work at Hawksmoor. We have tried to treat those people as fairly as possible, paying full notice and we are trying to give them every guidance on how they can get extra support during these difficult times.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: Chancellor Warned £330bn Bailout Fails To Protect Renters From Eviction

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Chancellor Rishi Sunak was challenged to live on statutory sick pay as calls intensified for his coronavirus £330bn bailout plan to help struggling renters and the low paid.
MPs asked the minister if he could live on the £94.25-a-week sick pay and whether measures to deal with the “economic emergency” sparked by the virus did enough for people on the breadline.
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It comes amid fears countless people will lose their jobs and be plunged into poverty as the fast-spreading disease looks set to ravage the UK economy.
On Tuesday, the chancellor said he would do “whatever it takes”, outlining an extraordinary £330bn package of support for businesses and people.
But workers, many of whom are on short-term or zero-hour contracts, and trade unions voiced anger that the low paid had no safety net to fall back on.
Ministers were also hit with a torrent of criticism after Sunak’s bailout offered home-owners a three-month mortgage holiday but nothing to renters. It follows alarming reports some people faced eviction within days.
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Labour’s Jess Phillips asked the chancellor if he has ever lived on sick pay, adding: “A simple question. Has he lived on that and could he live on that as that’s what most of my constituents are currently having to live on?”
Sunak sidestepped the question and insisted that the government “believes in a strong safety net”.
The minister has said he does not rule out going further as the disease tightens its grip on the UK.
Rachel Reeves, who chairs the powerful Commons business, energy and industrial strategy select committee, also urged Sunak to go further with his bailout.
She said: “If you are off work at the moment on statutory sick pay or self-isolating for public health reasons, if you are laid off because there is no work, if you are self-employed or you are low-paid, there is nothing at all today in the package of measures from the chancellor.
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Businesses, the self employed and workers are looking to government to stop a health crisis become an economic one. Income replacement, payment holidays for mortgages/rent/taxes; loan guarantees; compensation for businesses that have ground to a halt should all be available now. — Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) March 17, 2020
“The chancellor says that these things are under review. Well, as a matter of urgency could he at least increase statutory sick pay to the level of the national living wage?”
Sunak replied: “We have (put) a billion pounds into the welfare system to provide extra financial security for those people to speed up both access and the generosity of all of those benefits.”
Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck told the chancellor the support package does not help small businesses, the self-employed and those on zero-hours contracts. She said: “They struggle with high rent and high bills.
“My friends have lost their jobs today. Today the grafters should have been a priority. When will they be?”
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The SNP’s Alison Thewliss called on Sunak to ask people with buy-to-let mortgages to pass on the benefits of the three-month mortgage holiday.
She said: “If the chancellor’s going to give a break to those paying mortgages, lots of those will be buy-to-rent mortgages where people will be renting accommodation, and if the mortgage holders are getting a break, that must be guaranteed for the renters as well.”
There would be specific help for renters, to be brought forward by housing secretary Robert Jenrick “in the coming days”, Sunak insisted, but he was repeatedly told action was needed now.
He said: “The biggest fixed costs that many families face will be their rent payment and it is right that we have regard to that.”
General secretary of the TUC Frances O’Grady called for a national task force, with trade unions given a seat at the table.
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She said: “The chancellor is right to provide this emergency support for business. But it must be conditional on employers protecting jobs and livelihoods, as is the case in countries like Sweden and Denmark.
“This can’t be just a bailout for boardrooms – it has to be about putting money in workers’ pockets too.”
Sunak also told the Commons that environment secretary George Eustice is in “urgent talks” with supermarkets about ensuring food security.
Tory former minister Harriet Baldwin had asked if supermarkets could be supported in boosting home deliveries.
Sunak said Eustice was in “urgent talks with supermarkets to ensure the security of our food supply and to improve accessibility particularly for those who may now be at home”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Looking After Your Mental Health In Self-Isolation

Looking After Your Mental Health In Self-Isolation
One in five workers – around six million people – could be forced to stay home during the peak of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK. As cases of Covid-19 rise and more people are being encouraged to self-isolate in an attempt to reduce the spread of the virus, these are the top tips to help keep sane throughout the outbreak.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Police Will Be Able To Detain And Quarantine People Under Emergency Coronavirus Laws

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Emergency powers which include giving police and immigration officers the right to detain and quarantine people who may be infected with coronavirus will be introduced by the government this week.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said the draconian measures will “only be used when it is absolutely necessary” and will only remain in place for as long as they are needed to protect life and the nation’s public health, and to provide support for the NHS and social care.
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The detention powers will “enable the police and immigration officers to detain a person, for a limited period, who is, or may be, infectious and to take them to a suitable place to enable screening and assessment”.
The coronavirus bill also includes measures to allow local authorities to direct individuals to help with funerals and death management, businesses to provide vehicles to move bodies, and crematoriums to open for longer to help manage the increased number of deceased people with “respect and dignity”.
The death management powers of direction would only be used “in the most extreme situations where there is a risk to public health”.
The bill will allow people to be detained and treated under mental health laws if just one doctor deems them to need urgent treatment or that they are a risk to themselves or others, rather than two.
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And it will extend and remove the time limits in mental health laws to provide flexibility if staff numbers are “severely adversely affected”.
In social care, councils will be allowed to prioritise the most serious and urgent cases even if it means not meeting everyone’s needs in full or delaying care assessments.
But local authorities will still be expected to do “as much as they can” to comply with care duties, and the laws would not remove their requirements to ensure there is no serious neglect or harm.
We're introducing the #Coronavirus Bill to Parliament.
It will mean the government can take the right action at the right time to protect the public, the NHS and social care staff.
Measures will only be used when strictly necessary.
More info: https://t.co/oI9W5DQWBZ pic.twitter.com/GbE37TzAqm — Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) March 17, 2020
In education, there are powers to make schools or childcare providers to stay open and run effectively. This could include reducing teacher ratios, watering down school meal standards and relaxing provisions for special needs.
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Home secretary Priti Patel will be enabled to order ports and airports to temporarily close if Border Force staff shortages pose a threat to border security.
To increase capacity in the NHS, retired health service staff and social workers will be allowed to return to work, and medical students near the end of their courses will be able to register as regulated health professionals.
NHS staff will also be covered by a state-backed insurance scheme to ensure they can care for patients if, for example, they are moving outside their day-to-day duties while making use of their skills and training.
Workers will be able to take emergency volunteer leave to help in theNHS and get compensation for statutory unpaid leave in blocks of two, three or four weeks.
And paperwork will be slashed for frontline staff so they can focus on care.
There are also provisions to expand the availability of video and audio links in courts, to introduce statutory sick pay on day one for those self-isolating without symptoms, and allowing small businesses to reclaim sick pay payments.
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Hancock said: “The new measures we will be introducing in the emergency coronavirus bill this week will only be used when it is absolutely necessary and must be timed to maximise their effectiveness, but crucially they give the government the powers it needs to protect lives.
“By planning for the worst and working for the best we will get through this, but this is a national effort and we must all work together - from businesses prioritising the welfare of their employees, to people thoroughly washing their hands.
“I also want to pay tribute to our brilliantly selfless NHS and social care staff who are working tirelessly to care for our friends and loved ones in this unprecedented period.”
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Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said: “Our approach to responding to this outbreak has and will remain driven by the scientific and clinical evidence so we do the right thing at the right time.
“The measures included in this bill will help support our frontline workers, protect the public and delay the peak of the virus to the summer months when the NHS is typically under less pressure.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--The Industries Coronavirus Has Brought To Their Knees – And What It Means For Us

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a huge financial injection into the UK economy in the hope of rescuing the British businesses brought to their knees by the coronavirus outbreak.
Following Boris Johnson’s advice on Monday that the public should curtail “non-essential” contact, the proprietors of pubs, restaurants, museums, art galleries and theatres joined the travel industry on a cliff-edge, facing the prospect of laying off staff and being unable to pay rent and suppliers.
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Gatwick airport announced on Tuesday it had cut 200 jobs in a bid to protect the business, a day after Virgin Atlantic asked staff to take eight weeks of unpaid leave and grounded most of its flights.
Sunak’s bailout on Tuesday night, hours later, will come as welcome relief to many – though others may find even £330bn does not go far enough.
Here are some of the industries brought to their knees by Covid-19 – and what it means for all of us.
Hospitality – 2.3m employees
Most of us won’t see the inside of a pub, bar or restaurant for a while.
To make matters worse, the Association of British Insurers said in a statement on Tuesday that “the vast majority” of businesses would not have purchased insurance that would cover them in such a scenario, even if establishments were ordered to shut their doors.
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Sunak’s announcement of a package of loans and grants available to small firms in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors came with hours to spare for some.
Mark Laurie, director of the Nationwide Caterers Association, which represents independent street food sellers and event caterers, said many small business owners would have been forced to make calls on the future of their livelihood on Tuesday night.
“It’s brutal,” he told HuffPost UK. “Parts of the industry have fallen off a cliff and there is no end in sight. We need immediate support and help.
“For many of these smaller businesses, there is no point in continuing because they have no idea when they’re going to be able to trade again. They can’t pay wages, so people will lose their jobs.
“The reality is many businesses will end up getting mothballed for a year, at best, but many will close entirely.
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“I sat with a restauranteur last night who was in tears, because after Boris Johnson’s press conference he said he had no choice but to cease trading.”
Laurie said many mobile caterers want to do what they can to help others in crisis – including assisting with free school meals, or food deliveries to the vulnerable.
“We’re ready and waiting to help, but we don’t know if we are going to be able to or not. If we can find some way of earning a living and continuing to supply food, then we can survive the crisis, keep people in jobs and keep businesses solvent.
“But we need to hear from the government about whether that is going to be an option.”
A general view as a man wearing a protective face mask walks past the Percy Arms pub, Newcastle Lee Smith / Reuters
The knock-on effect for the many small businesses who supply larger venues will also be significant.
The UK’s distilling sector has been a huge success story in recent years, with many smaller independent retailers benefiting from a rise in popularity of gin.
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Industry bodies including the Scotch Whisky Association and the UK Spirits Alliance were celebrating a freeze in spirits duty announced in the budget last week, but now the future looks less certain.
Andrew Griffiths, of Buckinghamshire-based distillery Griffiths Brothers, is one of many who have turned their attention to how they can help others, by using their skills and equipment to make hand sanitiser.
“We deal in 97% alcohol every day, and our alcohol is full of essential oils thanks to the gin-making process,” he told HuffPost UK.
“So we’re making a trial batch to send to our customers who may not be able to get hold of any, then we’ll see how it goes and take it from there.”
He added: “We are definitely seeing a downturn thanks to the impact it is already having on pubs – so we need people who still want to enjoy a gin and tonic but can’t go out to remember that they can still order from us. We can even deliver to local customers and drop off outside their door if they need us to.
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“If people can support us and the government tells us what we need to do to get help, then we’re hopeful we can weather the storm.”
Entertainment and creative – 2m employees
For those quarantined or self-isolating at home, accessible entertainment in the form of your favourite TV show can be a lifeline.
But the future of many favourites looks shaky, with filming on latest series of popular shows including Line of Duty, Peaky Blinders and Silent Witness suspended or postponed.
A spokesperson for the broadcaster said: “In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, the producers Caryn Mandabach Productions and Tiger Aspect Productions of Peaky Blinders S6 have postponed filming, and World Productions on Line of Duty S6 have suspended filming, both in consultation with and supported by the BBC.”
They added: “We will continue to review all productions on a case-by-case basis and will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the Foreign Office, World Health Organisation and Public Health England.”
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New BBC Broadcasting House in London Aaron Chown - PA Images via Getty Images
The approach taken by the BBC and its smaller associated production companies is mirrored by many across the country, leading to fears about the impact on freelancers who work for them.
Adeel Amini, a freelance TV producer, said many of his friends in the industry have lost their positions with a week’s notice and are worrying about paying the bills.
“There is a massive state of uncertainty for all of us at the moment,” he told HuffPost UK.
“It’s difficult working as a freelancer at the best of times, and in this industry many people are living hand-to-mouth – your next rent payment is dependent on the next job you have in the diary.
“The anxiety around this might see a lot of casualties for the industry if people decide they can’t continue – and it’s also highlighted the lack of support within the industry itself for people who may be struggling with mental health. There isn’t really anywhere for us to turn.”
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Trade union Prospect, which incorporated the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (Bectu) in January 2017, sent out a survey to its freelance members to find out more about the help they might need – through which 97% of respondents said they felt the government was failing them.
Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: “These findings show that many of these people have already fallen through the net.”
Theatres, cinemas and galleries across the country have also been forced to close temporarily, with some attempting to shore themselves up economically by asking customers to “donate” the money they had paid for tickets towards keeping the venues going.
The Old Vic operates in an unusual way for a non-commercial theatre in that it has no Arts Council support. Instead it is completely dependent on philanthropic donations, sponsorship and ticket sales. We now need your help more than ever https://t.co/rdis1TnKDp — The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) March 15, 2020
Fitness – 300,000 employees
A cornerstone of many daily routines, a visit to the gym could soon be out of the question, despite the efforts of many facilities to stay open for business.
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Barry’s announced on Monday that it would temporarily close all of its bootcamps, telling members “the health and safety of our clients always comes first”.
Other nationwide chains, including PureGym, are offering people the chance to freeze their memberships if they are worried about exercising in public. PureGym said on its website it would cancel all classes and reduce the number of people it allowed in, on the understanding they stayed two metres apart.
Some smaller facilities, including independently-run yoga studios, are continuing to offer classes remotely, along with personal trainers and other specialists.
Florence Sogga, from Bikram Yoga London, told HuffPost UK: “Normally March is a great time for our studios as people are looking to get healthier and fitter in time for spring, but due to people’s concerns, attendance is down around 20%.”
Sogga said the company’s studios, in which people practice in a heated room, are still open, but classes are operating at 50% capacity to allow extra space between people and those who feel even slightly unwell are urged to stay away.
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“A person’s local hot yoga boutique is in general probably substantially cleaner than their home,” she added.
“We have always taken this to a more extreme level, by pioneering the washing of yoga mats after every single use, and this overly-particular approach comes in handy now.”
Manufacturing and construction – 5m employees
With health secretary Matt Hancock appealing for manufacturers who may be able to help make ventilators to come forward, the sector is undoubtedly under extra pressure.
Calling all manufacturers who can support our National Effort for #coronavirus ventilator production - to help, contact Government Business Support team: 0300 456 3565 / ventilator.support@beis.gov.uk — Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) March 16, 2020
But those on other sites, such as steelworkers, will be required to turn up for work despite many of them being at greater risk of getting the virus.
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“Working from home is not possible for the majority of the workforce, and will therefore have to rely on additional staff. For an industry that is already struggling, ensuring enough workers are able to operate and maintain the plants
could be a key challenge for the sector,” said union Community in a briefing to MPs.
Italian steel unions have asked the government for a complete halt of operations at all steel and metal companies until March 22 for the safety of their workforce, with some already having downed tools.
“Consideration needs to be given to the impact this decision could have if replicated in the UK, and how the industry and workforce will be supported,” Community said.
Meanwhile, many construction sites have been forced to suspend or significantly scale back work, including the new Google headquarters at King’s Cross, which later reopened.
A spokesperson for Unite the union said: “We have already had reports of a few sites closing temporarily or reducing the number of workers.”
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Sport – 1m employees
Dozens of freelance workers, including broadcasters covering sport, said their work had disappeared after events around the world were cancelled or postponed.
Labour MP Tracy Brabin was flooded with responses on Twitter when she asked freelancers to get in touch with her to report their problems, to help her raise the issue with ministers.
Hello. Yes. I work in sports broadcasting and have gone from having a healthy roster of bookings in the next few months to nothing. Literally nothing. I cover mainly tennis and I don’t have any income now until tournaments resume which may be months away. — SueThearle (@SueThearle) March 14, 2020
As if the creative/freelance industry wasn't hard enough, jobs - often planned months ahead - are being cancelled due to concerns over the virus. No statutory sick pay for us means bleak times ahead and the real prospect of not being able to pay bills. — James Maloney (@YouFromTheEcho) March 14, 2020
My partner is the sole breadwinner working freelance. He’s already had three events cancelled: now we’re unsure whether we can make rent& bills this month. Our UC application was rejected while I was receiving Mat Pay so we’re still waiting for the reapplication to go through. — Dani Tougher (@DaniTougher) March 13, 2020
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Gambling firm Flutter, which owns bookmakers Paddy Power and Betfair, has also issued a profit warning in the wake of last week’s events.
If restrictions around mass gatherings and sports events remain in place for months, betting shops could take a hit, leading to mass job losses, union chiefs said.
“[We represent] hundreds of members who work in betting shops across the country, and who will need support throughout the challenge the sector and businesses face over the coming months,” Community added.
Social care – 1.8m employees
Workers caring for society’s most vulnerable join NHS workers on the frontline, and are at higher risk of becoming ill themselves.
But those on zero-hours contracts risk becoming worse off if they need to self-isolate and may need to apply for welfare help – placing more strain on an already under-pressure system.
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Union bosses also want their members to be provided with protective equipment to work with vulnerable people and minimise their risk of becoming ill.
Many councils are putting workers on stand-by to step into front-facing roles – meaning other, less essential services could be temporarily stopped.
Retired social care workers are also being asked to return to employment, and to contact the councils they were employed by if they can help.
Those in charge of independent social enterprises are feeling the strain, too.
Helen Stephens runs two groups for children and older people in Liverpool’s Norris Green, offering the chance to learn new skills and meet up with others.
“In terms of self employment, we operate as freelancers providing services on a sessional basis. If the social enterprise isn’t delivering any sessions then we won’t be getting paid,” she said.
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“And the longer it goes on, assuming the organisation still has to pay its bills, what little reserves we have may well be drained before we can even think about getting back up and running when all this passes.
“The worst thing though is that one of our regular groups is a group of older women. A lot of them are quite socially isolated and they are devastated at the thought that they can’t come to our weekly meet-up.
“Obviously this is a really scary time and the lack of guidance has caused confusion, with some not taking it seriously enough and they’re scared about being put into a 12-week isolation because of their age.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Chancellor Announces £330bn Bailout To Fight 'Economic Emergency' Of Coronavirus

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The government has announced an astonishing £330bn bailout to help businesses and people cope with the coronavirus crisis.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the government must be “bold” as he unveiled the “unprecedented package” of government-backed loans and support.
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It comes as the UK death toll reached 71 and amid fears more businesses could fold due to the outbreak.
Speaking alongside Boris Johnson at a Downing Street press conference, Sunak said the government would stand behind businesses “small and large”, adding: “This is not a time for ideology and orthodoxy, this is a time to be bold, a time for courage.
“I want to reassure every British citizen this government will give you all the tools you need to get through this.”
For people facing financial difficulty due to sickness or redundancy, Sunak announced lenders will be able to offer people a three-month mortgage holiday.
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For small businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a rateable value less than £51,000, cash grants of up to £25,000 will be made available.
The chancellor also said he would extend a business rates holiday to all businesses in those three sectors, regardless of their rateable value.
Describing the outbreak as an “emergency”, Sunak added “never in peacetime have we faced an economic fight like this one”, adding: “And if demand is greater than the initial £330 billion I’m making available today, I will go further and provide as much capacity as required.
“I said whatever it takes, and I meant it.”
It comes just one week after Sunak used the budget to unveil a £30bn package of support, which included business rates relief, NHS cash and refunding sick pay by the government for small firms.
Ministers were criticised, however, for focusing on struggling homeowners, when renters had also shared concerns about possible convictions should they be forced to shoulder a cut in salary.
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Labour MP Jess Phillips tweeted: “Need protection for renters, how will mortgage payment holidays be passed on? Need a break on eviction surely.”
Speaking alongside the chancellor, Johnson said government will do “whatever it takes” to support the economy through the coronavirus outbreak.
“We must act like a wartime government and do whatever it takes to support our economy, he said.
Sunak also made clear he did not rule out further measures to “support people’s financial security” in the coming days.
Rishi Sunak gives a press conference about the ongoing situation with the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak inside 10 Downing Street ASSOCIATED PRESS
Johnson, meanwhile, said Covid-19 was so dangerous that without drastic action it will “overwhelm the NHS”, as he warned that more “extreme measures” may be needed to protect lives in the future.
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Referring to Sunak’s announcement, the PM said ministers must go “further and faster” to protect both economy and citizens’ health.
“This government will do whatever it takes,” he said.
He added: “Be in no doubt that the state is asking people to do something, to make very considerable changes to their lives, and it is only right therefore that the state should stand behind people as they make those changes.
“And that’s what a government, that’s what a society is there to do.
“It’s there to look after people through thick and thin and to make sure that we get through this together and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Despite some parents choosing to take their children out of school, the PM did not use Tuesday’s press conference on coronavirus to announce school closures.
Asked if supermarket shelves would remain stocked, Johnson said: “We’re absolutely confident that our supply chains are working and will work ,and that we will get farm to fork food supplies for this country.
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“Therefore, people should have no need to stockpile or to panic-buy.”
Asked if the UK is heading for a recession, Sunak said: “This will have a significant impact on our economy – that’s what I said last week, I stand by that.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe Temporarily Released From Prison Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

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British-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been temporarily released from the Iranian jail where she has been kept since 2016.
The charity worker and mother-of-one was released on furlough for two weeks, until April 4, from Tehran’s notorious Evin prison on Tuesday.
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A statement from the Free Nazanin campaign run by her husband Richard Ratcliffe said: “Unfortunately, Nazanin will be exceptionally required to wear an ankle tag during the furlough, which her parents have now hired from the authorities. Nazanin’s movements will be restricted to 300m from her parents’ home.
“This makes her release more comparable to house arrest than the standard furlough arrangement that has been granted to other prisoners in Evin this week.”
Zaghari-Ratcliffe is among 85,000 prisoners temporarily released from jail by the government in Tehran because of the coronavirus outbreak.
In a statement released on Tuesday, she said: “I am so happy to be out. Even with the ankle tag, I am so happy. Being out is so much better than being in – if you knew what hell this place is. It is mental. Let us hope it will be the beginning of coming home.
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“My thinking is that they want to keep me, but outside of prison until they sort
out this thing. But to be honest, I just want to go home. I think they are
showing a good gesture, as they are hoping to strike a deal. So they want to
keep me out. If the deal won’t happen, then they will drag me back in. But if it
does, then they will let me go from here.”
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was temporarily released from prison on Tuesday Supplied
Ratcliffe said: “My feelings today have been all of a mix – pleased at the happiness for Nazanin and Gabriella, but fear this is a new drawn out game of chess. Trepidation over how furlough last time ended. It is hard to relax just yet.
“This furlough is a positive step, but it is not a victory – a two week release
with a permanent ankle tag and a 300m range is obviously not meant to be a
solution. For the IRGC I am sure it is meant to look like house arrest. But we
are hoping it is a confidence building measure and that things will move
forward from here.
“Thanks to all those who have made this step happen in the UK Foreign
Office and in Iran. I am relieved it finally did, as it would have been a really
bad sign if after all the announcements furlough did not happen this week.”
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Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested in April 2016 at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini airport while on holiday and visiting her parents with her young daughter, Gabriella.
She was sentenced to five years in prison over allegations of plotting to overthrow the Tehran government, which she denies.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe Supplied
She has been afforded diplomatic protection by the UK government, which states that she is innocent and that her treatment by Iran failed to meet obligations under international law.
The British government is understood to be seeking clarification from the Iran on the situation.
It is suggested that Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being held as a bargaining chip in a £400m dispute between the UK and Iran over a deal for Chieftain tanks struck in the 1970s.
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The contract was terminated after the Shah of Iran was deposed in the 1979 revolution, but Iran had already paid for the tanks and demanded its money back.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--All Brexit Talks Cancelled As Coronavirus Crisis Grips Europe

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All face-to-face Brexit talks have been cancelled as coronavirus tightens its grip across Europe.
Downing Street said ministers will “not formally be convening” negotiations over EU-UK trade, amid the outbreaks of the virus in Britain and on the continent.
The statement says “both sides remain committed” to talks and hope to thrash out an agreement, suggesting there will be contact.
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There has been no change in policy on the transition period due to end in December, a statement from the government on Tuesday said.
Ministers and officials from Brussels had been due to begin negotiations over UK-EU trade this month with both sides hoping to strike a fast-track deal in the coming months.
The news will intensify pressure on Boris Johnson to extend the transition period to ensure the UK does not crash out of the bloc and be forced to rely on World Trade Organisation rules.
A string of EU countries have introduced drastic measures to slow the spread of the virus, with worst-affected Italy operating a full lockdown on citizens’ movements.
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Horse Guards, one of London's top tourist attractions is virtually empty after the coronavirus outbreak in London ASSOCIATED PRESS
In Britain, Johnson on Monday said that people should avoid all non-essential contact and travel.
He also urged said people should work from home and avoid pubs, clubs and theatres, and that the over-70s and vulnerable should strictly self-isolate.
The government said: “In light of the latest guidance on coronavirus, we will not formally be convening negotiating work strands tomorrow in the way we did in the previous round.
“We expect to share a draft free trade agreement alongside the draft legal texts of a number of the standalone agreements in the near future still, as planned.
“Both sides remain fully committed to the negotiations and we remain in regular contact with the European Commission to consider alternative ways to continue discussions, including looking at the possibility of video conferencing or conference calls, and exploring flexibility in the structure for the coming weeks.
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“The transition period ends on 31 December 2020. This is enshrined in UK law.”
It came as foreign secretary Dominic Raab advised Brits against all non-essential global travel.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Coronavirus Outbreak: 14 More People Die Bringing UK Total To 71

A further 14 people have died after being diagnosed with coronavirus in England, the Department of Health said, bringing the death toll in the UK to 71.
That includes 67 people in England, and two each in Wales and Scotland. One in each of those nations was confirmed to have died today.
As of 9am on Tuesday, 2020, a total of 50,442 people had been tested: 48,492 negative and 1,950 positive.
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The first person in the UK to die after being diagnosed with coronavirus was announced on March 5.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars).
The strain that has recently emerged is a new strain that had not been previously identified in humans. The respiratory disease it causes has been named Covid-19 by the WHO.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people, the WHO says.
The first cases identified were among people connected to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China.
Experts believe the virus is spread in cough and sneeze droplets. The virus can survive on surfaces for several hours, but it is unclear exactly how long for.
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Government scientists say a small proportion of people will pass on the virus while having no symptoms themselves.
General medical advice is to wash your hands with soap and hot water more often. Do this for at least 20 seconds each time.
The NHS says people should also wash their hands when they get home or arrive at work. Hand sanitiser can be used if soap is not available.
Anyone with coughs and sneezes should catch them in a tissue, which is then put in a bin. Wash your hands afterwards.
People should also avoid close contact with people who are unwell, and avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth if their hands are not clean.
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Initial symptoms include fever, cough, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Boarding Schools Advised To Send Students Home As UK Coronavirus Cases Rise

School pupils holding bags and books PA Wire/PA Images
Boarding schools in the UK have been advised to let students return home as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise – despite official guidance for schools to remain open as usual.
The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) warned its members – which include Eton College, Gordonstoun School and Cheltenham Ladies College – that schools could remain responsible for pupils for a “protracted period of time” if the government decided to close schools and boarders were then unable to get home.
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“BSA advises therefore that where it is currently possible for boarders to return home; this should be expedited,” the association said in a statement.
“Where it is not possible, or parents do not wish this, because of risk in the home country, it should be made clear to parents that this is likely to be a long term arrangement.”
BSA chief executive Robin Fletcher told HuffPost UK that “many overseas boarders” studying in the UK had already left schools because of the threat of Covid-19.
“The chief priority for all boarding schools is the safety and welfare of boarders,” he said.
“In a situation where schools may be worried about staffing or caring for boarders who may develop symptoms, we naturally advise them to consider allowing boarders to return home, either in the UK or overseas.
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Fletcher added: “We are aware that many overseas boarders at boarding schools have already done this.”
While Boris Johnson advised Brits on Wednesday to avoid all non-essential social contact in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus, with the official death count in the UK at 71, schools have been told to remain open.
Meanwhile, Francis Holland School – an exclusive fee-paying girls school in Chelsea – announced on Tuesday it was closing its doors because of coronavirus, slamming the government’s advice as “irresponsible” and “unhelpful”.
Very striking how private sector schools closing ahead of state sector. Head of Francis Holland in Chelsea says her school closing probably for many weeks to protect “teachers and vulnerable members of our families” (see attached). And she attacks yesterday’s government... pic.twitter.com/MmXFHTicp9 — Charlotte Edwardes (@chedwardes) March 17, 2020
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In a statement, a spokesperson for the government said that while closing schools would have a “substantial” impact on children’s education and the workforce, “the benefit to public health may not be”.
“Decisions on future advice to schools will be taken based on the latest and best scientific evidence, which at this stage suggests children are a lower risk group,” they said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--NHS Bosses Say Health Service 'Has Enough Protective Clothing For Doctors, Nurses And Staff'

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The NHS has said it has enough protective clothing and equipment for doctors, nurses and other staff in part due to stockpiling during planning for a no-deal Brexit last year.
NHS chief operating officer Amanda Pritchard said on Tuesday there was enough personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff but that distribution problems meant some hospitals were suffering shortages.
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It comes as doctors and nurses raise concerns about having to treat coronavirus patients without adequate equipment.
Pritchard told the Commons health and social care committee: “We have been assured that there is sufficient supply available nationally.
“So we’ve had the benefit of being able to release our influenza stockpile and also from the EU exit stockpile.
“However, we have been aware of some local distribution problems so we don’t necessarily have the kit in the right place.
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“So what we have done today is set up a dedicated helpline so that, if people have got local issues that they need and immediate response to, they have got somewhere to go and we can then make sure the stock is being moved from where it is to where it needs to be.”
NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens said the UK has 28m of “the most intense” face masks but stressed production of equipment needs to be “ramped up” as the outbreak gets worse.
“We are going to need to ramp up production for gowns in particular, some of the face masks,” he said.
“Given that this is not a flash in the pan - this is not something that is going to be resolved in a fortnight or a month, the coronavirus pandemic is going to be with us for months to come - we are going to have to ramp up domestic production on those items as well.”
Stevens said he wanted NHS staff to be confident they have the kit they need, and said the service was guided by Public Health England (PHE) advice.
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“We all believe that staff do have a right to expect the sort of protection that would give them confidence, so part of the question, the dialogue with PHE, is ‘what is reasonable’ in A&E departments and other parts of the hospital,” he said.
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Stevens also revealed the NHS has nearly 7,000 ventilators, with 3,799 more expected to be operational in “the next several weeks”.
But this may still not be enough after health secretary Matt Hancock said the NHS would need “many times more” than 5,000 to help the worst-hit coronavirus patients breathe.
The government is in talks with manufacturers like Unipart, Rolls-Royce and JCB to see if they can switch production to making ventilators, which will be crucial in the fight against the outbreak.
Stevens said there were a total of 6,699 adult mechanical ventilators in the NHS, as well as a further 750 paediatric mechanical ventilators for children which can be repurposed.
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There are also an estimated 691 in the private sector and 35 in the Ministry of Defence, bringing the total to 8,175, he said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Jared Leto Had 'No Idea' About Coronavirus Outbreak After Returning From Desert Retreat

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Ignorance may have been contemplative bliss for Jared Leto.
The Oscar-winning actor tweeted early on Tuesday mroning that he had “no idea what was happening” after 12 days of silent meditation in a desert.
In that time, the coronavirus had officially become a pandemic, prompting drastic changes to day-to-day life in countries around the globe.
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“Walked out yesterday into a very different world,” he wrote on Twitter.” One that’s been changed forever. Mind blowing - to say the least.”
Jared Leto Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
The Dallas Buyers Club star, who explained that he had been totally isolated at the retreat facility, said he was catching up on everything and sending “positive energy” to everyone.
“Stay inside,” he wrote. “Stay safe.”
Wow. 12 days ago I began a silent meditation in the desert. We were totally isolated. No phone, no communication etc. We had no idea what was happening outside the facility. — JARED LETO (@JaredLeto) March 17, 2020
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Walked out yesterday into a very different world. One that’s been changed forever. Mind blowing - to say the least. I’m getting messages from friends and family all around the globe and catching up on what’s going on. — JARED LETO (@JaredLeto) March 17, 2020
Hope you and yours are ok. Sending positive energy to all.
Stay inside. Stay safe. — JARED LETO (@JaredLeto) March 17, 2020
Many Twitter followers returned the good wishes, but one person pointed out that a tweet from Jared’s account was posted during the time period in which the actor had said he was in isolation without a phone or other means of communication.
Wait, so who's been tweeting on your account for the past 2 weeks then? Like this one from a week ago. https://t.co/6HlVdtZrj0 — ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴊᴇɴɴʏ @🏠 (@JustJennyFlynn) March 17, 2020
A few had possible answers.
Social media manager. — Kylie (@Innerfire005) March 17, 2020
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Or one of those apps that let you schedule your posts. — Denise Aethyry (@DeniseAethyry) March 17, 2020
Anyway, Jared, you missed a lot.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Donald Trump Torched Over Racist 'Chinese Virus' Tweet: 'Dog Whistle Politics'

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President Donald Trump called COVID-19 “the Chinese Virus” in a xenophobic tweet on Monday and faced an immediate backlash.
Trump, echoing a right-wing talking point that the spread of the coronavirus is the fault of China, where it originated, wrote that the U.S. will support industries “that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus.”
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“We will be stronger than ever before,” he bragged.
The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2020
Trump repeated the term in another tweet on Tuesday morning:
Cuomo wants “all states to be treated the same.” But all states aren’t the same. Some are being hit hard by the Chinese Virus, some are being hit practically not at all. New York is a very big “hotspot”, West Virginia has, thus far, zero cases. Andrew, keep politics out of it.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2020
Politicians, actors and commentators denounced Trump’s description of the virus, which has sickened more than 182,000 people worldwide and killed more than 7,100. World Health Organisation guidelines for naming infectious diseases say leaders should not use geographic locations to avoid stigmatising a location or ethnic group.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) warned Trump that Asian Americans “will likely encounter more discrimination because of your tweet below.”
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“Please stop your unnecessary rhetoric,” Lieu added. ”#COVID-19 is now an American virus, an Italian virus, a Spanish virus. We all are impacted & we all need to work together.”
Dear @realDonaldTrump: Asian Americans will likely encounter more discrimination because of your tweet below. Please stop your unnecessary rhetoric.#COVID19 is now an American virus, an Italian virus, a Spanish virus. We all are impacted & we all need to work together. https://t.co/yLzNmpJZHs — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) March 17, 2020
Its called the Coronavirus and its now as American as apple pie so stop racist comments. — Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) March 16, 2020
You know what the world calls the "American virus"? YOU. https://t.co/YVa5WTovi8 — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 17, 2020
There it is. I’ve been deathly afraid of this exact moment where Trump turns to racism and xenophobia and calls COVID-19 the “Chinese Virus.” We are in deep trouble as a nation now that President of the United States makes the conscious decision to go down this dark path of hate. — Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) March 16, 2020
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"Chinese virus."
American jackass. — John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) March 16, 2020
DOG
WHISTLE
POLITICS https://t.co/6fWpUHIUsS — Jimmy Wong (@jfwong) March 17, 2020
Of course he called it "Chinese Virus," because he doesn't care that Asians and Asian Americans are subjected to hate violence because of this racist description of #coronavirus. https://t.co/g5ewbNhteE — 𝖠𝗌𝗂𝖺𝗇 𝖠𝗆𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖫𝖾𝗀𝖺𝗅 (@aaldef) March 16, 2020
Nice racist dog whistle there, POTUS.
Asian American Trump supporters, after he's done throwing you under the bus, please feel free to come over to the side that will vote this awful human being out of office. https://t.co/rGOIkao6zw — Dan Slott (@DanSlott) March 16, 2020
I really don't like this tendency to blame all Chinese for the coronavirus. There's a long and brutal xenophobic history of blaming foreigners for diseases, and we bungled our own response to #COVID19 so badly that we shouldn't make scapegoats of others. https://t.co/XBpuykgSLt — Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) March 17, 2020
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What a president! By labeling the COVID-19 “Chinese virus,” Trump tries to hide his administration's lack of prevention & control measures against the #coronavirus. He passes the buck to China, trying to prove that he is NOT responsible for the current situation the US is facing. https://t.co/LubdzY1G1y — Global Times (@globaltimesnews) March 17, 2020
The US stock market crash dealt a heavy blow to Trump’s team. They have no efficient way to fight the pandemic and all they can do in the panic is to save themselves by making China a scapegoat. https://t.co/Zfm27xqQ8u — Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) March 17, 2020
Mr. President: This is not acceptable. Calling it the "Chinese virus" only instigates blame, racism, and hatred against Asians - here and abroad. We need leadership that speaks clearly against racism; Leadership that brings the nation and world together. Not further divides. https://t.co/wPTcnoO5QU — Eugene Cho (@EugeneCho) March 17, 2020
This is racist, full stop.
You can't rename COVID-19 to distract from your own administration's too-little, too-late response. https://t.co/a0Mdy85AxM — Dr. Arati Kreibich (@Arati4Congress) March 16, 2020
Pres Trump changed his entire tone during today's WH briefing on coronavirus. He was somber. He said U.S. & world had no control over it. He said U.S. might see a recession.
Now, just 4 hrs later, he is back to leaning on cultural wars & calling coronavirus the "Chinese virus." https://t.co/LIvosx1oyH — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 16, 2020
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Does Don know that there's only a smidgen of unwell Americans liking his tweets & still supporting him? The rest of us are using his tweets as a verbal dart board while others are pasting his orange mug on a wall & using it 2 play Pin The Tail on the Ass, or wiping theirs with it https://t.co/lVLsLmXoLT — Nancy Lee Grahn (@NancyLeeGrahn) March 16, 2020
Trump now calling #COVID19 the "Chinese virus." Soon Trump will call the coronavirus the "Muslim flu" or "Mexican influenza" since demonizing both groups played great with his base in 2016. https://t.co/rCC0oybu2i — (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) March 17, 2020
the racism has no end. https://t.co/MykkGXGpRk — deray (@deray) March 17, 2020
Let's get a few things correct, @realDonaldTrump:
1.) It's called #COVID19 or #coronavirus, you racist xenophobe.
2.) The US must support the working and poor people, not major billion dollar corporations.
3.) When you lose the 2020 election, we will be stronger than ever before. https://t.co/KfN6ZCG39X — Sema (@_SemaHernandez_) March 17, 2020
People are literally fleeing the United States to get treatment in China because it's safer there, you incompetent racist fool. https://t.co/lmbMVsCHcN — Meena Harris (@meenaharris) March 17, 2020
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Your racism is the OPPOSITE of what we need to defeat this GLOBAL virus.
This is a time for coming together as a global family to defeat #covid19.
Then, in November, Americans will defeat YOU. https://t.co/rmPjHRMTZG — Carolyn B. Maloney (@CarolynBMaloney) March 17, 2020
Remember last week when I said "Please don't call it the Chinese coronavirus" and a bunch of you said "no one is calling it that except for super racists" https://t.co/TRGq1DKPdb — Geraldine (@everywhereist) March 16, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Harry Styles Sports Fishnets And Not Much Else In New Photo-Shoot And It's A Lot

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Since embarking on his solo career, Harry Styles has repeatedly made headlines thanks to his unique flamboyant fashion sense, which usually consists of brightly-coloured suits, flared trousers and some kind of fabulous accessory.
However, with his latest photo-shoot, we think the former One Direction star has somehow managed to outdo himself in the fashion statement stakes.
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In the latest issue of Beauty Papers magazine, the Adore You singer is seen lounging shirtless, wearing just fishnet tights and a pair of shiny loafers.
The black-and-white photograph is one of two covers being used for Beauty Papers magazine’s Revolution issue.
In the other, Harry is seen throwing it back to the 1960s in a navy blue suit, while striking a typically dramatic pose.
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Shortly after the photos were posted online, Beauty Papers revealed that their website had crashed “due to an overwhelming response”, which we’re sure was anything but a coincidence.
“Beautiful people,” they wrote on Instagram. “Our website, as you know, is down due to an overwhelming response. Please hold tight… thank you.”
It’s been a big few weeks for fans of Harry’s fashion, with the singer working his way through three different outfits at the Brit Awards last month.
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Harry hit the red carpet in a fairly standard brown suit – which included a frilly Peter Pan collar and a black ribbon, the latter of which is often associated with mourning.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--TV Baftas 2020 Postponed Due To Coronavirus Pandemic

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This year’s TV Baftas have been postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been confirmed.
In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, Bafta announced that their annual TV awards, which were due to take place in May, will now be rescheduled for later in the year.
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A representative for the organisation said: “Following the latest government advice on coronavirus (Covid-19), we regret to announce that the British Academy Television Craft Awards and Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards, originally scheduled for 26 April and 17 May respectively, will be postponed until later in the year.”
The nominations for this year’s TV Baftas were due to be revealed next week, on 26 March, but these will also be postponed “until closer to the ceremony”.
The TV Baftas will now take place later in the year Alecsandra Raluca Dragoi/BAFTA/Shutterstock
“We’re working with all our partners to explore options for new dates and we hope to be in a position to confirm them in the coming weeks,” the statement continued.
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“We are continually monitoring the situation to ensure we are prepared for the challenges we may face in the coming weeks and months.
“We are closely following the advice of the World Health Organisation, NHS and GOV UK/Public Health England, and the safety of our members, guests and staff remains our top priority.”
Coronavirus has already massively impacted the UK television industry, with British shows like Peaky Blinders and Line Of Duty suspending production on their upcoming series as a result of the outbreak.
Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid also video messaged into Tuesday’s show from home, as she’s currently in self-isolation, while Loose Women has decided to axe its usual studio audience for the time being.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--Hashem Abedi: Younger Brother Of Manchester Arena Bomber Found Guilty Of Murder

Hashem Abedi ASSOCIATED PRESS
The brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi has been found guilty of murder over the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing that killed 22 people as they left an Ariana Grande concert.
Abedi has been convicted of all 22 counts of murder, one count of attempted murder encompassing the remaining injured people, and one count of conspiring with suicide bomber brother Salman Abedi to cause explosions.
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The 22-year-old helped create the explosives intended “to kill and to inflict maximum damage” on the crowd in a bomb carried by his older brother.
He helped Salman stockpile chemicals at a bomb-making base in north Manchester – and was linked to the blast by a scrap of metal from a Consumer’s Pride vegetable oil can found at the scene of the carnage.
He had also bought screws and nails for shrapnel and used fake online accounts to buy two of the three chemicals needed.
Salman, carrying the bomb in a rucksack, joined the throng of parents and families picking up young concert-goers in the foyer of the 21,000-capacity venue, before detonating it at 10.31pm on May 22.
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Abedi was not present in court when the unanimous verdicts were returned.
The judge, Mr Justice Jeremy Baker, said he would not be sentenced until a later date so that victims’ families could plan to attend the Old Bailey should they wish to.
He said “steps would be taken to notify the accused in writing”, adding he would consider hearing submissions for Abedi to be legally represented.
The judge said Abedi would be handed a life sentence. He added: “The result of all of that is that a sentencing date is a little way off.”
Responding to the guilty verdict, Max Hill QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said Hashem Abedi had “blood on his hands”.
He said: “My thoughts are with the families of those who died and the hundreds of survivors. We should remember the 22 lives lost and those around the country whose lives have been changed forever. [...]
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“Hashem Abedi encouraged and helped his brother knowing that Salman Abedi planned to commit an atrocity. He has blood on his hands even if he didn’t detonate the bomb.
“The CPS worked closely with the police and partners to build a strong case from the outset. We then took steps to successfully extradite him from Libya and placed compelling evidence before the court.
“I want to congratulate those in the CPS’s counter terrorism division who have been working tirelessly for three years to secure Abedi’s conviction.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--20,000 UK Coronavirus Deaths Would Be 'Good' If 'Horrible' Outcome, Says Patrick Vallance

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The government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, has said 20,000 deaths in the UK from coronavirus would, while “horrible”, be a “good outcome”.
Speaking to the Commons health committee on Tuesday afternoon, Vallance said it was “reasonable” to assume there were as many as 55,000 cases already.
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And he told MPs the social distancing measures put in place by the government last night would have to last at least “months”.
The number of people to test positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Tuesday was 1,950, up from 1,543 on Monday, the Department of Health and Social Care said.
At least 56 patients who tested positive for coronavirus have died.
A total of 50,442 people have been tested with 48,492 negative results.
Vallance told MPs this afternoon the “hope” was the number of deaths could be kept down as a result of the government’s decision to try and stop being gathering in large numbers.
Boris Johnson last night dramatically called on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres and to avoid all non-essential contacts and travel.
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People who live with somebody who is ill have been told to stay home for 14 days.
Vallance said: “Every year in seasonal flu the number of deaths is thought to be 8,000.
“If we can get this down to numbers 20,000 and below, that is a good outcome in terms of where we would hope to get to with this outbreak. It is still horrible. That is still an enormous number of deaths.”
He said case isolation could bring the peak of the outbreak down by about 20%, whole household quarantine by about 25%, and general social distancing by about 50%, while social “shielding” of the elderly could reduce the mortality rate by 20% to 30%.
“Together you should expect those to have a very significant effect on the peak and we should start to see the rates come down in two or three weeks’ time,” he told the committee.
Jeremy Hunt, the former Conservative health secretary who now chairs the committee, asked Vallance whether there was “potentially 55,000 cases” in the UK at the moment.
Vallance said: “If you put all the modelling information together, that’s a reasonable ballpark way of looking at it.” He added: “It’s not more accurate than that.”
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Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has defended the government's approach to the coronavirus outbreak. PA
Asked if the social isolation and distancing measures could have to be kept in place for as long as 18 months, Vallance said: “I don’t know how long these measures are going to be needed for.
“Certainly not a couple of weeks. It’s going to be months. I don’t know how many months.”
Vallance also defended the government’s approach to tackling the virus. he said it was a “semantic difference” to argue whether the UK had shifted from a process of delaying and mitigating the spread of Covid-19 to an attempt to suppress it.
He told MPs the approach had always been to “save lives and protect the vulnerable” by delaying and suppressing the peak of the outbreak and shielding those most likely to be badly hit.
It came as NHS England announced it was suspending non-urgent elective surgery to free up beds for coronavirus patients.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--What The Coronavirus ‘Avoid Non-Essential Travel’ Advice Means For Your Holiday

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The British government is advising all UK citizens against “non-essential travel globally” amid the coronavirus outbreak – so what does that mean if you’ve already got a holiday booked?
To date, there has been uncertainty around coronavirus and travel, with many expressing confusion about refund policies from insurers or airlines.
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But the Association of British Insurers (ABI) says the announcement made by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Tuesday is a good thing, as it provides some clarity for insurers and customers alike. If you’ve got suitable insurance, you should be able to access a refund.
“This unprecedented step actually provides welcome clarity for our customers and the industry,” an ABI spokesperson told HuffPost UK. “Generally insurance cancellation or travel disruption will relate to FCO [The Foreign and Commonwealth Office] advice.
“This decision will therefore allow policyholders with cancellation or travel disruption cover in place to claim for cancelled trips that were already booked and cannot now go ahead.”
pop_jop via Getty Images
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The FCO advice against “all non-essential travel worldwide” is detailed on the Government’s website. This advice takes effect immediately and applies “initially for a period of 30 days”.
The definition of “essential travel” is a little wishy-washy, but ultimately, it’s your own decision. It probably doesn’t include a relaxing week on the beach, though.
“You may have urgent family or business commitments to attend to,” the FCO says. “Circumstances differ from person to person. Only you can make an informed decision based on the risks.”
If you now need to change or cancel your travel plans, the FCO advises following these steps:
1. Contact your airline, travel company, cruise line or other transport and accommodation provider.
2. Get in touch with your insurance provider.
3. Continue to follow the NHS coronavirus guidance.
If you’re currently abroad, the FCO says you must follow the advice of local authorities in that area. That may mean going into quarantine where you are if you’re instructed to do so.
“If you wish to leave the country you are in, contact your airline or travel company and your insurance provider as soon as you are able, and keep up to date with the latest developments,” the FCO says.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-17--I’m A Junior Doctor, So I Know First Hand Why Medics Must Be Tested For Coronavirus

Over 600,000 people are now calling for NHS frontline staff with symptoms to be tested for the virus as a priority. NurPhoto via Getty Images
At a coronavirus press conference this week, the World Health Organisation’s director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom said, “We have a simple message for all countries: Test, test, test.”
But what about testing NHS workers?
Over 600,000 people are now calling for NHS frontline staff with symptoms to be tested for the virus as a priority. The petition, by junior doctor Rebecca McCauley, set up two days ago, says that NHS staff are facing the “dilemma” of deciding to either take seven days off work, further contributing to staff shortages, or stay at work and risk exposing their patients and colleagues to Covid-19.
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As a junior doctor currently working in sexual health, I believe it’s important that reliable, highly sensitive testing be made available for NHS staff. Tests that give inaccurate results can cause more harm than good. Fortunately, Public Health England has reported that the test they are using is highly sensitive. This means that the available test should correctly identify Covid-19 cases. But so far, demand for testing has outstripped supply, and as a result testing has been focused on patients who are unwell enough to require hospital admission.
Luckily, I have not experienced any symptoms of Covid-19 or knowingly been exposed to the virus, so I have not had a need to be tested myself. However, if staff with symptoms who can’t test to confirm infection have to take time off (potentially unnecessarily), there will be a reduced capacity to provide crucial health services to the UK population, including sexual and reproductive health services which serve to reduce rates of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
And I am certainly concerned about the negative impacts to other areas of health that may come out of this pandemic. With an overwhelmed NHS, other areas of health may suffer. As noted by the WHO, “People, efforts, and medical supplies all shift to respond to the emergency. This often leads to the neglect of basic and regular essential health services. People with health problems unrelated to the epidemic find it harder to get access to health care services.” Death and disability from diseases other than Covid-19 for which people cannot get adequate treatment may rise. And sexual and reproductive health services are often hit hard by crisis situations.
I have already seen a reduction in clinic opening hours. There has been a push to provide as many services as possible via telephone and a focus on providing face-to-face care for essential services only. Patients have been encouraged to use the free and confidential NHS STI testing service if they live in areas where the service is available. Currently the NHS does not have the capacity to meet the demand for in-person asymptomatic STI screening, which may worsen with the potential for further staff shortages.
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“I am certainly concerned about the negative impacts to other areas of health that may come out of this pandemic”
Staying home from clinical work negatively impacts the patients that staff are looking after and means already-stretched colleagues will have to cover for these absences. Having access to reliable Covid-19 testing will help aid this important and often guilt-ridden decision.
The UK government’s proposed strategies of isolation are attempting to reduce the peak of the epidemic. This should give the NHS time to increase the capacity for wider availability of high-quality tests. Hopefully the capacity to ramp up testing moves quickly enough to meet the current demand to test hospital inpatients as well as NHS staff.
Professor Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, said: “Once we have the capacity to do this – which we are going towards very fast – healthcare and other critical workers [will be tested] early on in their illness. If they end up having the symptoms, but not coronavirus, then they will be able to go back to work”.
As soon as the government has the capacity to provide reliable Covid-19 testing for NHS staff, they must take heed of the WHO’s advice to “Test, test, test”.