thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Five Things You Need To Know About Coronavirus Today

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Coronavirus is dominating the headlines as the number of cases grows each day.
According to official figures published on Sunday afternoon, 1,372 people have now tested positive for the virus – an increase of 232 on Saturday’s figures.
Thirty-five people are now known to have died after contracting Covid-19.
Here are the latest updates:
Over-70s to be asked to self-isolate for up to four months
Elderly people will be asked to self isolate, the health secretary has said. Biserka Stojanovic via Getty Images
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed on Sunday morning that people aged over 70 will be asked in the coming weeks to self-isolate for up to four months in order to protect them from the coronavirus.
Asked if that was in the government’s plan, he told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “That is in the action plan, yes, and we will be setting it out with more detail when it is the right time to do so because we absolutely appreciate that it is a very big ask of the elderly and the vulnerable, and it’s for their own self-protection.”
Pressed on when the measure will be introduced, he said: “Certainly in the coming weeks, absolutely.”
The elderly population are most at-risk from Covid-19, with the overwhelming proportion of deaths occurring in older people, or those with underlying health conditions.
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Hancock also confirmed that ministers were seeking to give police powers to arrest and forcibly quarantine people who are sick with the coronavirus but are not self-isolating.
“We are going to take the powers to make sure that we can quarantine people if they are a risk to public health, yes, and that’s important,” he told the Andrew Marr Show.
“I doubt that actually we will need to use it much because people have been very responsible.”
Deaths in Spain double in 24 hours
A woman, wearing a protective face mask, walks in an empty central street during partial lockdown in Madrid. Sergio Perez / Reuters
Deaths from coronavirus in Spain have more than doubled in a day to 288, with infections at nearly 8,000, authorities in the country said.
The country, which is now the worst affected country in Europe after Italy, is set to go into nationwide lockdown on Monday.
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A number of airlines, including Jet2 and Ryanair have either cancelled or greatly reduced the number of flights to destinations in Spain.
On Friday a spokesperson for the Foreign Office advised against all but essential travel to the Spanish regions of Madrid, La Rioja and the municipalities of La Bastida, Vitoria and Miranda de Ebro.
Pubs could close as part of social-distancing measures
friends at a pub toasting, having a good time, birds view Henrik Sorensen via Getty Images
Pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops could close in the UK in order to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Asked if the UK could follow Italy and Spain in introducing the measures, health secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC’s Andrew Marr: “We haven’t ruled that out.
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“We will do what is necessary because the top priority is to protect life and you do that by protecting the vulnerable and protecting the NHS.”
On Sunday afternoon it emerged that pubs in the renowned Temple Bar area of Dublin would close their doors with immediate effect, after it “proved impossible to follow the public health advice to limit numbers”.
In a statement, Temple Bar Company said: “In the interest of public health and following advice from An Garda Siochana and the health authorities The Temple Bar Company and its members have today decided that all pubs and nightclubs in Temple Bar will close their premises voluntarily with immediate effect.
“And will do so until further advice by the relevant authorities.
“This decision was taken in light of the experiences of members of The Temple Bar Company over the last few days when it proved impossible to follow the public health advice to limit numbers and adequately implement measures to control social distancing.
“Members of The Temple Bar Company felt it was inappropriate to request the diversion of Garda resources away from more pressing needs.
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“As part of the effort to avoid the spread of the Covid-19 virus, The Temple Bar Company will intensify its disinfecting and power-washing of the streets and public spaces in the Temple Bar area as required.”
Wales reports 34 new cases
Customers queue to get into a Costco store in Cardiff on Sunday. Matthew Horwood via Getty Images
Public Health Wales has confirmed 34 new cases of Covid-19 in Wales, bringing the total number confirmed in the country to 94.
Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “We are working with our partners in the Welsh Government, the wider NHS in Wales, and others now that we have entered the ‘delay’ phase.
“This is now not just an attempt to contain the disease, as far as possible, but to delay its spread.”
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People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they believe they may have contracted coronavirus but instead, anyone with a high temperature or new continuous cough should stay at home for seven days.
“They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days,” Dr Shankar said.
Testing will focus on cases admitted to hospital, and based on symptoms and severity.
Foreign Office advises against ‘all but essential’ travel to US
The FCO has warned UK travellers to avoid visiting the US. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The Foreign Office has advised against “all but essential” travel to the US after Trump’s European travel ban was extended to the UK and Ireland.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are advising against all but essential travel to the USA following the US government announcement imposing restrictions on travel from the UK (and Ireland) effective from midnight on Monday March 16 EST (4am GMT on Tuesday March 17).
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British nationals with journeys planned and citizens already in the US are advised to contact their airlines or tour operators.
Supermarkets plead with customers to avoid panic buying
Panic-buying has led to empty shelves in supermarkets nationwide. Ollie Millington via Getty Images
Supermarkets have penned an joint letter to customers urging them not to panic buy, as shelves across the country emptied on Saturday.
Retailers have been hit by increased demand as social-distancing measures are introduced and self-isolation becomes an increasingly likely prospect in the UK.
Signed by giants such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Aldi and Lidl, the letter states: “There is enough for everyone if we all work together,” warning that panic buying could “mean that others will be left without”.
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NEW: UK supermarkets have written a joint letter to customers pleading with them not to panic buy. They say doing so could “mean that others will be left without”.
Retailers say online delivery and click-and-collect services are running “at full capacity”.
Full letter: pic.twitter.com/vrMfWHv6Rn — Tom Boadle (@TomBoadle) March 14, 2020
They added: “Those of us with online delivery and click-and-collect services. are running them at full capacity to help you get the products you need when you need them.
“We thank all our colleagues in stores and supply chains who are working day and night to keep the nation fed.”
Hundreds of scientists criticise accuse government of “risking lives”
Scientists have accused the UK government of risking lives. Yves Herman / Reuters
Hundreds of scientists working across a range of disciplines in the UK have accused the government of risking “many more lives than necessary” in its approach to coronavirus.
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An open letter signed by 229 scientists, none of whom are leading experts in the science of the spread of diseases, called for tougher policies to tackle the spread of Covid-19 including increased social-distancing measures.
The letter comes a day after it was revealed that ten more people had died in England from the coronavirus, bringing the total UK death toll to 21.
The signatories also criticised a statement made by Sir Patrick Vallance, chief scientific adviser to the government, about controlling the spread of the infection to achieve immunity within the population managing the spread of the infection to develop “herd immunity”.
The Department of Health told the BBC that Vallance’s comments had been misinterpreted.
The government has been criticised for its approach to the virus, with many members of the public asking why more restrictive measures seen in countries such as Italy and Spain – where full lockdowns are in place – have not yet been imposed.
The open letter penned by the scientists argues that more aggressive social distancing measures would “dramatically” reduce the speed at which the disease spreads through society – sparing “thousands of lives”.
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Donald Trump tests negative for virus
Trump has tested negative for Covid-19. Tasos Katopodis via Getty Images


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Ant And Dec Forced To Apologise After Saturday Night Takeaway Guest Drops F-Bomb

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Ant and Dec were forced to apologise after a Saturday Night Takeaway participant dropped the F-bomb live on air.
The moment happened during a live link up at the Magic Mike Live stage show in London on Saturday night, where two women had been surprised by their husbands joining the strip troupe on stage.
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After the men had finished the routine, Stephen Mulhern brought their shocked wives up on stage, shortly after which one of them asked: “What the fuck’s going on?”
Possibly the best thing to EVER happen on Saturday night takeaway
Well done @StephenMulhern#TVQU1Z
Credit 📽 @ITV captured by @Max_Power__123 pic.twitter.com/zGnEreFOe2 — TV QUIZ 📺❓ (@TVQU1Z) March 14, 2020
The audience could be heard gasping, before Stephen said: “If that did go out, I apologise.”
As the show was then passed back to Ant and Dec in the studio, Dec added: “Apologies again if you were offended by any of the language or any of the lip reading.
“What we can say, two hunky men and an excitable audience it’s a fantastic formula isn’t it?”
Ant and Dec apologised for the swearing ITV
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Saturday’s show went ahead as planned, despite the government being the verge of banning mass gatherings in an attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus, which could mean studio audiences are stopped.
Saturday Night Takeaway has already been impacted by the virus as it has been forced to cancel the series finale in Walt Disney World in Florida.
Over 300 lucky viewers were also due to be flown out to Florida and join the telly duo at the spectacular on 4 April, but the theme park is to close its doors from Monday.
A spokesperson said in a statement: “We will no longer be broadcasting the Saturday Night Takeaway finale from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
“Walt Disney World has made the decision to close, beginning on Monday 16 March until the end of the month.
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“The wellbeing of all our prize winners, as well as our production team, is always our number one priority.
“All recipients of a ‘Place on the Plane’ prize will have their prizes honoured and flown by Virgin Holidays for a 5-night stay at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida at such later date when it is practical for Virgin Holidays and Walt Disney World Resort to fulfil the prize.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: NHS Could Run Out Ventilators, Health Secretary Admits

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The NHS may not have enough ventilators to treat all coronavirus patients struggling with the disease, health secretary Matt Hancock has conceded.
The minister was asked repeatedly by Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday whether everyone who needed the key piece of equipment would get access to one and could not confirm they would.
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He said prime minister Boris Johnson would be asking British manufacturers to “turn their production and their engineering minds” to making more and additional NHS will be trained to use them.
The NHS has around 5,000 ventilators and it is thought there could be a shortage.
Hancock also revealed that the over-70s and other vulnerable people will “soon” be asked to self-isolate for as long as four months to protect themselves from the disease.
He stressed, however, that the government was “not yet” officially ordering such action, but it was “clearly in the action plan” drawn up this week.
He said: “That is in the action plan, yes, and we will be setting it out with more detail when it is the right time to do so because we absolutely appreciate that it is a very big ask of the elderly and the vulnerable, and it’s for their own self-protection.”
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Pressed on when the measure will be introduced, he said: “Certainly in the coming weeks, absolutely.”
Health secretary Matt Hancock in Downing Street this week ASSOCIATED PRESS
The minister also appealed to the public not to panic-buy supplies as shelves across the country empty of essentials.
Mass gatherings of 500 or more people and school closures are options the government could take, Hancock said, as he said emergency legislation would be brought before the Commons this week.
It came as the number of deaths in the UK doubled on Saturday, taking the total to 21, while the number of cases hit 1,140 - an increase of 342 from Friday’s figure of 798.
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On ventilators, Hancock was asked three times to say whether every coronavirus patient who needed a machine would get one, and he eventually replied: “You’ve heard me say many times that we don’t make guarantees in healthcare and this virus is clearly a huge challenge and we’re learning about it every day.
“So I don’t make guarantees like that. What I will guarantee is we will do everything we possibly can to protect life and to keep people safe.”
Sophy Ridge asks Health Secretary @MattHancock to confirm that those over-70 will be asked to self-isolate and stay at home for up to four months.
He says "that is the plan" but "not yet".
Follow #Ridge live: https://t.co/8xbsmjBX8F pic.twitter.com/VhvZJMCZ8W — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) March 15, 2020
He said there would be a shortage across the world, and added: “The thing that the NHS needs now, more than anything is more ventilator.
“We’ve been buying as many as we can, but we need to produce more too.”
He added: “The prime minister is hosting a conference call today to say very clearly to the nation’s manufacturers ventilators are the thing that we are going to need.
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“And frankly, right across the world the demand for them is incredibly high, so it is not possible to produce too many. So anybody who can should turn their production and their engineering minds over to the production of ventilators.”
Hancock said the bill setting out emergency powers to deal with the coronavirus outbreak will be published on Thursday.
Asked what it will include, Hancock said details would be shared on Tuesday adding he had been working with Labour’s shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth.
He said: “This is a cross-party approach. He’s made some suggestions of other things that should be in there which we’ve included. And it includes a broad range of actions, all about preparing Britain, making sure that we’re ready, should we need to be.”
Hancock said he was “confident” shops will not run out of food but could not guarantee it and warned the government could take further action.
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Asked if food supply might be at risk, he added: “No, one of the things we are confident about is that the food supply will continue.”
But pressed to guarantee this would not be the case, he said: “Well we are confident about it. What I can guarantee is we will work with the supermarkets to ensure that people get enough.
“I understand why people might be stocking up but people have got to behave responsibly.
“Supermarkets are right to write the letter calling on people to be responsible and to consider the impact their stocking up might have on others.
“And of course we stand ready to take further measures if that’s necessary.”
Hancock also denied that achieving “herd immunity” was part of the government’s policy in tackling the coronavirus outbreak.
“What we will do is listen to all the credible scientists and we will look at all the evidence,” he added.
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“Herd immunity is not our goal or policy, it’s a scientific concept. Our policy is to protect lives and to beat this virus.”
Ashworth, meanwhile, called on Johnson to hold another press conference today and said ministers must do more to explain their approach to the public.
“The World Health Organisation is saying that we should continue testing and contact tracing. They’re saying that is the best way to break the chain of contagion,” he said.
“The UK have taken a different view that if you feel ill that you just stay at home for seven days and won’t be tested.
“Many people are saying to me that they need a Covid-19 test if they’re ill because they need to know whether they should be interacting with other people in a few weeks’ time.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--7 Self-Care Tips That Will Ward Off The Sunday Blues

Francesco Carta fotografo via Getty Images
Ah, the Sunday scaries: We’ve all experienced them. One minute you’re kicking back with friends enjoying bottomless mimosas at brunch, the next, you’re spiralling in a pit of “oh-god-tomorrow-begins-another-hellishly-long-workweek” despair.
If you’re very unlucky, you might come down with a case of Saturday scaries: You still have two days of free time but you can’t stop thinking about Monday. (Hard to care who wins that Auburn vs. Oregon game when you’re preoccupied with all the emails piling up in your inbox.)
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Kids get the scaries, too. The Sunday scaries that occur on the last day of summer or winter break are particularly unsettling for kids and parents alike.
Nearly everyone gets them. Back in 2015, Monster conducted a poll in which 76% of respondents said they felt a creeping sense of anxiety about the workweek come Sunday night. This was in comparison to the 42% of European respondents who claimed the same. (Chalk it up to an office culture ― more paid vacation time, laws banning after-hours work emails ― that leaves Europeans with a better work-life balance.)
Even those more or less content with their jobs can feel a sense of foreboding on Sunday night, said Kurt Smith, a therapist in Roseville, California.
“A doctor I treated hated Sundays because of the fear of Monday that would begin,” Smith said. “It would build and build through the day and culminate in an almost unbearable drive to his office on Monday mornings.”
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What was driving his anxiety?
“He didn’t want to face all the problems that he knew would be there waiting for him, especially staff-related ones,” Smith said. “But he doesn’t have this Sunday dread anymore. We re-programmed his thought process and changed how he responded to or avoided problems before and during the weekend.”
How do you “re-program” your weekend self so you’re not dreading this upcoming Monday? Below, Smith and other experts share a few self-care habits that will help you stave off the scaries. (Keep in mind, if you’re regularly experiencing tension, irritability, low motivation, apathy or sadness, it could be more than the Sunday scaries and it’s worth talking to a mental health professional about it.)
1. Tackle Monday on Friday.
So much of Sunday scaries anxiety is pegged to the unknown: “What if I sound ill-prepared at that meeting I have to lead on Monday?” “What if my clients are annoyed that they haven’t yet received their invoices?”
To get control of your anxiety, it helps to tackle Monday before the weekend even begins. Plan out your workweek ahead and think about what you can do on Friday afternoon that will make life easier for you come Monday, Smith said. (For instance, in the examples above, make a short list of all the points you want to make at that staff meeting, or get a head start on emailing some of your clients their invoices before you leave the office.)
“Knowing you already have a plan in place to get you started when you arrive at work can be helpful when your thoughts start to spin over what you’ll face on Monday,” Smith said.
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The Good Brigade via Getty Images Preparing for Monday before you leave the office on Friday can make a huge difference, experts say.
2. Remind yourself that “feelings aren’t facts.”
Self-sabotaging thoughts about Sunday ― “The weekend is basically over. Ugh, time to start getting ready for Monday morning” ― ruins what should be a good, non-working, relaxing day.
That’s because we use our feelings as a compass for how to behave: If you constantly tell yourself Sunday is a prelude to the workweek instead of a day off where you can do whatever the hell you want, you’re bound to have a bad day, said Allison Hart, a psychological assistant at Wellspace SF in Northern California.
“When this happens, we stop treating ourselves like we’ve earned another day of rest and disengagement from our ‘work brain,’” she said. “Instead of waiting around for feelings to change, we have to be willing to notice dread and anxiety for what they are: Feelings that tell us how much we care about what we want from our weekends, so much so that we don’t want them to end.”
Instead of focusing on the dread, try to be intentional about your Sundays: You’ve worked hard all week and you deserve to enjoy them.
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“Ask yourself: What matters to me on the weekends?” Hart said. “What was I waiting to do all week that I now have space for today? If you learn to follow through on those Sunday ideas for yourself, your head will hit the pillow at night and you’ll know you’ve treated Sunday like it was yours.”
3. Be more thoughtful about planning your Sunday.
If your weekends seem instantly devoured, take inventory of what areas of life need more attention and address those needs on Sunday, said Brittany Bouffard, a psychotherapist in Denver.
“Are you lagging come Friday in terms of solo time, social time, play, reflection, sleep, human connection, nature, movement, rest, family time?” she said. “Also ask yourself if there are any categories where you feel overfilled. Once you do that, make the tweaks needed to aim closer to filling your empty areas and energies more equally, where you’re left more recharged than bitter and going on empty.”
4. That said, don’t default to the thinking that planning out your Sunday means chores, chores and more chores.
Even therapists get the Sunday scaries. To combat hers, Lynsie Seely, a therapist at Wellspace SF, said she’s learned to lean into her playful, do-nothing side and not feel guilty about it.
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“When you’ve had a full week of responsibilities, it’s natural to feel compelled to lean into your playful, carefree, free-spirited selves,” she said. “They’re an essential part of our being that are so important to honour.”
But often, when we start transitioning into the week, “the inner critic likes to come out and judge everything your playful self did over the weekend,” Seely said. Such as, she added, “You weren’t productive enough,” “You didn’t do what you said you were going to do,” “You should have done this instead.”
To counter those downer thoughts, Seely gives herself permission to be playful and set aside her responsibilities for a few days.
“Our culture tends to prioritise achievement, but making time for fun is just as important,” she said.
Thomas Barwick via Getty Images Instead of moping around your apartment and watching Netflix, plan fun activities with your friends on Sundays.
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5. Make work something you look forward to — even on Sundays.
To combat her Sunday scaries, Saniyyah Mayo, a psychotherapist, changed the entire way she approached her Mondays.
“I try to use positive self-talk and focus on all the positives of the job versus the negative,” she said. “And on Monday morning, I’ll put on a podcast I like to help cultivate a positive mood on my way to work.”
Setting some long-term, big picture professionals goals can help you get amped about the workweek, too.
“Let’s say you want to get promoted: Focusing on the position you want will transition your mind from negative to positive,” Mayo said. “Or maybe you want to pick up job-acquiring skills so you can seek out better opportunities. Either way, you’re making professional goals that help you stay focused on the end goal and not the workweek.”
6. Consider cutting back on your alcohol intake on Saturday night.
A hangover often comes with a heavy dose of anxiety the next day. If your weekend includes alcohol, the Sunday scaries can often be accompanied by detox symptoms such as anxiety, feeling down on yourself, critical thoughts about yourself, your job and everything else ― and that’s on top of the physical symptoms that come with a hangover.
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“If you think this might be the cause of or is influencing how scary Sundays can feel, try limiting your alcohol intake or engaging in a substance-free weekend activity to see if you notice a difference,” Seely said.
7. Talk about the Sunday scaries with your friends.
While you don’t want to spend the entire day complaining about the week to come to anyone who’ll listen, sometimes simply talking about your anxiety with someone you trust makes it easier to deal with, Bouffard said.
“Mention it to friends or family and you might find that they can relate or at least offer a good ear,” she said. “Plus, this gives you a chance to process aloud how you might feel stuck or unfulfilled in your position or career.”
But what if you and that friend are both big Sunday-scaries sufferers? Consider having a weekly phone call on Sunday evening where you prep and plan out what a successful work week might look like for you both, respectively.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--How No-Deal Brexit Planning Is Helping The UK Deal With Coronavirus

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When the government spent £4bn on planning for a no-deal Brexit that looked a remote possibility with parliament ranged decisively against it, many said it was a waste of money.
But Britain is already benefiting from at least some of the work that took place in the run-up to the two aborted exit days of March 29 and October 31 during the Brexit chaos of 2019.
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As coronavirus grips the nation, government sources have revealed that in key areas the intensive contingency planning ordered by Boris Johnson is proving “one of the most useful things we have done in the last six to nine months”.
Much of the key work has taken place inside the Department for Health (DfH) and Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) – two branches of Whitehall that are most affected by both Brexit and coronavirus.
Meanwhile, across government officials who have built up crisis and contingency expertise working on no-deal planning have been immediately retasked with coronavirus work.
Cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill also revealed this week that some of the 800 former employees of the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) staff have been working on coronavirus.
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“it’s made a massive difference and it’s really enhanced our preparations and response this time”
Medicines
While many countries in Europe have gone into lockdown and the US has banned flights from the continent, there has been little discussion of potential medicine shortages in the UK.
According to one Whitehall source, that is partly because the DfH has been through a process of working out how to deal with medicine supply being choked off due to Brexit-related border disruption.
“No-deal planning has probably been one of the most useful things we have done on this in the last six to nine months,” they said.
“On things like medical supply you go through a whole process working out what the supply chains are, working out what your pressure points are, so in DfH we know all about every medicine that comes into the country.
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“We know what country it comes from – we know where it’s made, how it moves through the supply chain.
“It’s actually meant we’ve had total global shutdown and broadly you haven’t seen things like medicines stores run out, and it’s in part helped by the fact we’ve got much more of a grip and a handle on the medicines supply chain and where we get pharmaceuticals from.
“If exports from a certain country stop, because of the work we have done we can kick work off really quickly on finding alternatives or generics. It’s made a massive difference and it’s really enhanced our preparations and response this time.”
Pharmaceutical companies were also asked to maintain their no-deal stockpiles of medicines and medical equipment, perhaps with one eye on the end of the transition period on December 31, where an effective no-deal Brexit is possible if the UK and EU fail to strike a trade deal.
“We have a load of stockpiles from no-deal planning,” the source said. “We told pharmaceuticals not to run them down in case they were needed.”
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Food
Panic-buying has been one of the most striking changes in behaviour wrought in these early stages of the coronavirus.
But supermarkets have been clear there is no need for individuals to stockpile as they will be able to maintain supplies, even as countries like Italy and Ireland lock down.
Part of this is due to the work done during 2019 to ensure supply chains could stand up to a no-deal Brexit amid warnings of tomato shortages and Britons being forced to eat Christmas dinners in autumn, a Defra source said.
“In terms of the resilience in their supply chains, supermarkets are very much prepared for everything that’s going to come ahead due to all the no-deal prep that was in motion,” they said.
“They have constantly been reassuring us that the food supply chain is going to be absolutely fine and it’s with a lot of prep they have been doing before.”
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A view of empty shelves as toilet roll and kitchen roll are almost sold out in an Asda supermarket in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire. UK shoppers are stockpiling toilet paper, pasta, hand sanitiser and tinned foods as fears grow over the spread of the coronavirus. PA
Officials previously working on Brexit have also been tasked with coronavirus work.
“I think all departments will be finding that lots of the issues will be similar, so we are very much ready to go with a lot of this stuff,” the source said.
As part of the Operation Yellowhammer no-deal crisis planning, Defra is also understood to have done detailed research into consumer behaviour and is helping retailers like supermarkets with their messaging and response as people panic buy and photos of empty shelves go viral online.
British Retail Consortium spokesperson Tom Holder said: “The BRC and our members are taking learnings from the no-deal planning as they begin to craft their messages to their customers in the wake of the spike in demand provoked by coronavirus.”
Whitehall
While a lot of the big picture no-deal planning carried out by departments was irrelevant and incomplete, some of the central power structures erected in Whitehall are almost certain to help deal with coronavirus.
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Joe Owen of the Institute for Government said the civil contingencies secretariat which played a big role in Operation Yellowhammer is likely to be playing a part in responding to the outbreak.
Its work during no deal planning involved “rapid response, monitoring what pressures are being felt in different parts of the system, reporting up and taking decisions in a kind of rhythm that might feel quite similar to this.”
“The fact they stood those up in March and October means they may feel like the wheels have been greased,” Owen said.
Ministers will also be accustomed to daily Cobra crisis meetings as they will mirror the work of the ‘XO’ no deal planning committee ran by Michael Gove.
“It’s ministers and officials in the same room working out what are the big issues in the short-term, what are the longer term things to be thinking about, taking in advice across Whitehall,” Owen said.
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“That was one of the key battle rhythm meetings in planning for no deal which happened for six months under Johnson.
“And so ministers presumably will feel quite used to sitting down in a room being given lots of information and having officials there to quiz and to talk through action plans.”
Environment secretary George Eustice arrives at the Cabinet Office, London, ahead of a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra to discuss coronavirus. PA
The government’s top secret Operation Kingfisher economic plan to support businesses if the economy crashed after no-deal may have helped with chancellor Rishi Sunak’s £12bn coronavirus stimulus in Wednesday’s Budget.
The project worked on a potential economic response to help firms with cash flow problems due to blockages at the border or if they went out of business – for example, if they did not have the correct certificates to trade with the EU.
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“That thinking might not map perfectly over to the sorts of areas where you expect to have disruption but it could do in some areas,” Owen said.
No-deal mkII?
There is a risk, however, that diverting attention and resources from no deal planning to deal with coronavirus could harm the UK’s preparations for new border checks and other disruption caused when the Brexit transition period ends on December 31.
The government needs to put in place a new immigration system, a new border system, Irish Sea trade checks, new regulators and new standards, with 25,000 civil servants working on Brexit.
“Brexit readiness is not going to be ministers or the most senior officials’ priority, it will be coronavirus,” Owen said.
“So how Whitehall copes with the enormous readiness task when it’s no longer top priority and might have resources diverted could be a big issue.”
Johnson has so far ruled out extending the transition but this might become unsustainable as the economic consequences of coronavirus spill into the summer and potentially beyond, with the Office for Budget Responsibility warning a recession is “quite possible”.
Owen said: “If coronavirus hits the economy at anywhere near the kind of levels people are predicting and we expect disruption to last until at least the summer, government admits there will be disruption and supply chains will take a hit when the Brexit transition ends, are they going to want to do that overnight on new year’s eve if the first half of this year, possibly even more, has been so difficult?”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--11 Disney+ Films You've Probably Forgotten – But Should Definitely Rewatch

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In case you haven’t heard, Disney+ has finally launched here in the UK and the new streaming service gives you access to over 500 films, 350+ series and 26 exclusive originals.
While there’s a never-ending list of classics we can’t wait to watch, from The Lion King to Beauty And The Beast to the entire Star Wars back catalogue, there’s a number of hidden gems that you may have missed among the blockbuster hits.
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But with many either working from home or in self-isolation amid the coronavirus outbreak, a lot of people suddenly have a lot more time on their hands.
To keep you entertained, we’ve scoured the list and picked the movies you simply cannot miss out on. Up ahead are 12 of our favourite lesser remembered stories...
Disney+ is available now. HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page.
1. Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen
One of the lesser known Lindsay Lohan Disney films, Confessions of a teenage Drama Queen also marked the debut of Megan Fox, as the two girls go head to head in a bid for stardom in the school play.
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There’s feather boas, Britney inspired dance numbers, amateur theatre productions and your typical catty high school drama. We can’t get enough of it, tbh.
2. Cadet Kelly
You may not know that another bonafide Disney star, Lizzie Mcguire, branched out into other characters other than herself, but in Cadet Kelly she plays clueless cadet attempting to fit in a military academy, much to the chagrin of commanding officer Captain Stone. Cue chaos.
3. The Game Plan
After WWE but before Jumanji and Fast & Furious, The Rock starred in The Game Plan, playing a major league baseball player whose daughter he never knew he had, turns up on his doorstep.
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Together the pair navigate parenthood, fame, death and practical jokes and while some of the humour is predictable, it’s a light-hearted easy watch.
4. Holes
Fresh out of his Even Stevens fame, Shia LaBeouf is the main character of Holes, which follows his time spend in a Texas juvenile correctional facility in Camp Green Lake, following a wrongful conviction for stealing a famous basketball players trainers.
As he and the other boys on the camp fulfil their punishment of digging holes in search of long lost treasure, the plot is full of twists and turns, almost unnecessarily so, but it’s a mash up of comedy, adventure and drama that’s hard not to enjoy.
5. Ice Princess
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For any figure skating fans out there, Ice Princess is the Disney film for you, with a plot which explores the tension between Casey’s ambition to be a champion ice skater and her mother’s focus of academics. Between secret coaching sessions, bitchy competition and a budding romantic interest, there’s some pretty impressive skating scenes too.
6. Maleficent
Behold Angelina Jolie’s cheekbones, nothing short of majestic. Honestly, they’re a good enough reason to watch the newest interpretation of the Sleeping Beauty classic. And yes, there was a big buzz around its release, but there’s no harm in reminding you that it’s worth a watch as we discover the story behind the curse she places on Princess Auroroa in the original animation.
7. The Pacifier
The Pacifier, or dummy as we know in the UK tells the comedy of an undercover policeman, played by Vin Diesel, who is assigned the mammoth task of looking after a brood of five kids whose father is tragically killed in a navy seal mission gone wrong. Somehow he manages to juggle babies, wrestling coaches, high school theatre productions and the school run.
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8. Ratatouille
Rats in a michelin starred-restaurant kitchen sounds truly ridiculous, but logic rarely applies to Disney animations. In any case, woefully unaware rate Remy, oblivious to humans disdain to his kind, is an aspiring French chef and worms his way into renowned chef Auguste Gusteau restaurant in Paris, forming an unlikely bond with fumbling apprentice Alfredo Linguini.
9. College Road Trip
Martin Lawrence and Raven Symone star in College Road Trip as a father-daughter duo making their way across the states to visit potential colleges. Throw in an overprotective relationship, dad jokes and slapstick comedy and you’ve got yourself an underrated Disney classic.
10. Treasure Planet
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Animated teenagers seem to have an awful lot of freedom, take Jim Hawkins, who sets off on adventure across the universe aboard a spaceship – someone clearly doesn’t have a late curfew. While it’s a classic tale of the underdog overcoming treachery, the stunning visuals are equally as impressive to watch.
11. A Bug’s Life
Only Disney could make bugs, insects and creepy crawlies cute. Led by inventor ant Flik, him and his makeshift crew of circus bugs band together to try and defeat a group of grasshoppers who steal their food every year. It sounds bizarre, but stick with it.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Here’s What Sex After Childbirth Is Really Like

Malte Mueller via Getty Images
When you’re recovering from birth, there’s a lot to worry about: whether your infant is feeding correctly; when you’ll get more than two hours of sleep; if you’ll ever be able to go to the toilet without a small human clinging to you again. Not to mention trying to figure out why your little one is constantly crying.
But there are other fears we may not speak about that can weigh heavy on our minds, and even cause distress. One of those is sex. Or, more specifically, how soon after birth we ‘should’ be doing it.
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The word ‘should’ there, says it all. Women and men can both feel an inordinate amount of pressure to “get back to normal” as quickly as possible in the bedroom. A quick straw poll of my female friends tells me: some people got back in the saddle after six weeks, others even sooner. Some didn’t have sex for six months after childbirth, and others waited more than a year. But one thing’s for sure, it was a weight on all their minds.
Carol Yepes via Getty Images
There are no hard-and-fast rules around sex after giving birth. The NHS advises women not to rush it, with reminders that you can get pregnant again as soon as three weeks after having a baby. You could wait until you’ve had your six-week postnatal check with a doctor, and have discussed contraception options, to resume a regular sex life.
Cathy Ranson, who developed an information video to help women decide when they should be having sex again, believes the answer is waiting until you feel comfortable.
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“If you’ve had a tear or c-section, what feels comfortable will be very different from someone who had a ‘straightforward’ birth,” she says. “Every body and every vagina is different, so take it from your body’s cues, don’t feel pressured. Do it only when you want to, to keep the experience loving and positive.”
We spoke to three HuffPost UK readers, to find out how long they waited to have sex again after having kids – and what it really felt like.
‘I had no interest in sex. I was sleep-deprived and didn’t feel attractive’
Natalie Roberts Natalie Roberts has four children
Natalie Roberts, 35, has four children, aged 14, 10, two and one
“I had my first child when I was 21. I had no idea what to expect from birth, apart from a few horror stories told to me by other parents. I had quite a normal delivery with an epidural, but needed stitches afterwards. It took my body four months to fully recover. During that time, I had no interest in sex. I was sleep-deprived, didn’t feel attractive and the thought of sex repulsed me. I felt ready around five to six months later, but I didn’t feel the urge to have it. My husband at the time – now divorced – was understanding and I never felt pressured. It felt strange the first time we did it because I was apprehensive and expected it to hurt, but I’d given my body time to heal and was good to go. “The same happened again with my second child, three years later. I also developed a postpartum infection – so was vomiting and unwell for several few weeks after. Sex wasn’t a priority when having a newborn and a toddler. “Fast forward 10 years and I’ve had two more babies. I recovered much quicker with these two and was ready to have sex around 10 days after giving birth. I went to my GP the same week I had both children to get contraception. It wasn’t painful at all and I had my sex drive back very quickly. I think my partner was shocked I was ready to have sex so soon, although he wasn’t complaining! “Every woman and every pregnancy is different. Whether you’re ready for sex straight away or don’t feel ready for months – it’s perfectly normal. Being a parent is exhausting and sometimes sleep wins over sex. Never feel pressured, and if you do, you should be having an open and frank discussion with your partner about how you feel.”
‘I got through it with lots of foreplay!’
HuffPost UK Supplied
Samantha Francis, 34, has two daughters aged 12 and eight
“I’m a mum of two girls. I had sex again two weeks after giving birth to my (now) 12-year-old, and eight weeks after having my (now) eight-year-old. I was quite anxious about it after having my eldest, because I had third-degree tears from giving birth. I was a little anxious after having my youngest, too, but not quite as much, because I hadn’t experienced any tears.
“What helped was discussing my fears with my partner. He was really understanding, and I think a little frightened himself! To get through that fear, we did lots of foreplay. We went slow and gently. My partner was very careful, followed my lead, and he kept checking in if I was okay. Because of that, I was able to enjoy the experience and even looked forward to the next time.
“I’d advise women who’ve just given birth to take your time and connect with your body and what feels right. With my first child, I knew I was ready at two weeks postpartum, but with my second, I felt my body needed more time. Definitely discuss this with your partner, as I guarantee they are just as nervous as you and will want to know what to do so they can have that pleasurable moment with you.”
‘I bottled up my fears and pushed through’
Ocean Taylor Clio Wood has one daughter
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Clio Wood, 37, has one daughter, aged five
“My daughter is now five and my postnatal sex experience is part of the reason we don’t yet have more kids! We had sex around six weeks after – I think I remember I was still bleeding, so with hindsight, I definitely shouldn’t have been pressuring myself to do it. It was definitely pressure from myself, not my husband. I’ve always had a perfectionist personality and thought I should be healed, ready and sexy again already – after all, it was a month and a half later.
“The cultural perception is that we should be ready to jump back on the horse pretty quickly afterwards and besides, with our newly-stretched vaginas, it shouldn’t be painful, should it? I bottled up my fears and pushed through, but it was incredibly painful and we had to stop. My husband and I tearfully discussed what had happened, he was very supportive and felt awful I’d put myself through that.
“The whole intimacy question was complicated for us for at least two years after giving birth – a mess of mental health, identity change issues, hypertonic pelvic floor (when the muscles are too tight and inflexible), and scarring; added of course, to the change, ignorance, panic and fatigue of new parenthood. I had a great, supportive husband, a brilliant physiotherapist (in the end) and fantastic therapist to help me through.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--22 Easy Recipes You Can Make With Cupboard Staples

If you’re self-isolating because of the coronavirus outbreak, one of the first things you should do is stock up on cupboard staples that’ll get you through your long stay at home. The only trouble is, when most of us are faced with shelves full of canned tuna, dried pasta and beans, we can’t possibly imagine turning that into something delicious.
That’s where these recipes come in handy. From pasta salads to soups and sandwich fillings, we found 22 recipes that use the following pantry staples as their foundation:
Pasta: Any shape you want. A self-quarantine isn’t “Top Chef,” so no one is judging whether your pasta is the optimal shape for absorbing your sauce.
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Canned tuna: Or salmon, if you wish! It can be packed in oil or water ― these recipes are versatile enough that you can make anything work.
Canned tomatoes: In this case, it truly doesn’t matter whether they’re diced, crushed or whole (you can always chop the whole ones). Just try to avoid pureed, if possible, since they’re pretty watery.
Beans: Dried or canned are both fine. Just remember that unless you have an Instant Pot, you’ll likely have to soak dried beans up to a day in advance. Go for black beans, garbanzos, black eyed peas, pintos — honestly anything you like will work for most of these recipes.
Stock/Broth: Chicken is a great choice for meat eaters, and vegetable is obviously best for vegetarians and vegans. Stock is a great tool for taking rice from boring to flavourful.
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Rice: Brown has the most fibre, so will keep you feeling full longer. Otherwise, choose whatever you like best, whether it’s sushi rice, white rice, jasmine, basmati, etc.
Bread: Any kind you want! Just consider storing it in the freezer (never the refrigerator) if you think you’ll need to be eating it for longer than a few days.
Jarred pickles, capers, olives and sun-dried tomatoes: These briny ingredients will pack a ton of flavour, so keep plenty handy.
Spices: Dried herbs and spices are what’ll keep all your recipes from tasting the same. Load up on cumin, coriander, red chilli flakes, cinnamon, turmeric and more.
Freezer staple: Frozen vegetables. Buy all the frozen peas, carrots, green beans, squash, spinach and other veggies that you love. They’ll freshen up all your recipes and you won’t have to worry about them rotting.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Kindness, Humour And A Cup Of Tea Will Save Many Relationships During Coronavirus

Getty Images/iStockphoto It’s hard to keep calm in the midst of such tremendous anxiety and uncertainty
Many of us are worried: not just about whether we might catch Covid-19 and how a possible economic meltdown might affect our lives, but whether we could survive a fortnight — or longer — trapped at home with our loved ones.
After having a child together, things got so bad between me and my partner — sleep deprived, finally forced to co-habit and both working from home — I started seeing a family therapist. Alone. One evening, our daughter was asleep and the television was on. P came up from the basement where he’d been working on a mind-numbing report. The programme caught his attention just as I was inquiring whether he’d mind if I had a bath before we watched an episode of Better Call Saul?
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P snarled at me to shush. An hour later, we were still shouting at each other. Amazingly, our daughter Sadie slept through the yelling match. P made up a bed in the cold garage. I wanted to lock him in there. Actually, for a few minutes, I did, and had visions of his starved corpse being discovered by future occupants of our home.
A parent’s priority should be making their children feel safe and secure, but it’s hard to keep calm in the midst of such tremendous anxiety and uncertainty. I’m even tenser than usual and have been quite snappy. Last night, Sadie woke up with a nightmare: she dreamt that she had coronavirus and had to have her face and leg cut off. One of her classmates told me this week that his house was going to be knocked down. That’s what ‘lockdown’ sounds like to a seven-year-old. No one knows when this coronavirus outbreak will pass, but as tempers get frayed, the fault lines of our most intimate relationships will be tested to their limits.
“I predict parents everywhere are about to relinquish control of their kids’ screen time.”
I usually prepare for school holidays with military precision to keep Sadie’s boredom at bay and mitigate disruption so that either me or my partner can keep working, but if we have to self-isolate or if schools close (which seems inevitable despite government pronouncements to the contrary), our house could turn into a pressure cooker.
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People less practised at working from home might find it tough to separate domestic matters from professional ones. If you’re cooped up in a small flat, or even in a big one, a quiet space can be difficult to defend, especially with kids at home without their usual routine. I predict parents everywhere are about to relinquish control of their kids’ screen time.
In the coming weeks, we not only need to recognise the importance of washing our hands at every opportunity. We also have to learn how to prevent rows from escalating, and to apologise for our part in them. Saying sorry is complicated. If you capitulate too readily, too often, you run the risk of allowing your partner to dominate. Apologies need to be made with genuine intention, and the other person has to be ready to receive it. Hopefully, they can then own up to their part in the quarrel too. In our home, heading off an escalation with a loving gesture, such as offering to make a cup of tea, often does the trick.
Today we discussed, only half-jokingly, whether we should put our wills on the fridge door in the event that we both die. The important thing is trying to keep a sense of humour.
Other couples might argue about childcare or who cleans up. We have the same fight over and over again: I tell P to stop shouting and he tells me that I’m nagging. Psychoanalyst Caroline Garland explains that couples project onto each other the nastier parts of themselves. “You may want to shout sometimes but you insist P’s the shouter. He may want to nag sometimes but sees you as the nagger.” Couples can get locked into a cycle of blame, reproach and grievance, with each party saying it’s the other one’s fault.
If someone engages us passionately, they will engage our love, but at times they will also engage our hate and aggression. The opposite of love is indifference. Healthy, loving couples quarrel and get over it quickly.
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But the coronavirus has added a layer of alarm to normal proceedings.
What will happen if P or I become ill? How will we keep Sadie amused? And if she gets sick too, who will look after who? Will we take it in turns to stagger to the kitchen to make hot lemon and honey drinks? And — God forbid — what if my ageing mum gets sick? These are the questions that matter the most. This virus, in fact, could be an opportunity to show each other how much we care.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Coronavirus Panic Buying Continues As Minister Promises To Protect Food Supplies

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Panic buying continued to sweep the UK as a minister hinted government action to ensure food supplies could include rationing.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday he was “confident” shops will not run out of food but appealed for people to think of others and “behave responsibly”.
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The Sun later reported a government source confirming rationing could be on the cards.
Long queues outside stores and empty shelves in them are becoming a familiar sight as shoppers have been panic buying essentials, including toilet paper, as fears intensify over the spread of Covid-19.
Asked if food supply might be at risk, Hancock told Sophy Ridge: “No, one of the things we are confident about is that the food supply will continue.”
But pressed to guarantee this would not be the case, he said: “Well, we are confident about it. What I can guarantee is we will work with the supermarkets to ensure that people get enough.
“I understand why people might be stocking up but people have got to behave responsibly.
“Supermarkets are right to write the letter calling on people to be responsible and to consider the impact their stocking up might have on others.
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“And of course we stand ready to take further measures if that’s necessary.”
People, some wearing protective face masks, queue outside of a pharmaceutical shop before it opens, as the number of coronavirus cases grow around the world, in London. Henry Nicholls / Reuters
Empty shelves in the fruit and vegetable section of an Asda store in London. PA
Customers queue to get into a Costco store which opens its doors at 11am in Cardiff. Matthew Horwood via Getty Images
Emptied paracetamol shelves at a supermarket amid coronavirus fears in London. SIPA USA/PA Images
Shelves empty of pasta at Tesco in Camelon near Falkirk, as shoppers purchase supplies amid the coronavirus pandemic. PA
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In a joint open letter published on Saturday, members of the British Retail Consortium urged everyone to work together to ensure there is enough food for the country.
Retailers are working “round the clock” to help families get the items they need, the BRC insisted.
The letter was aimed at reassuring customers, some of whom may be vulnerable, while appealing to them to support each other during the crisis.
It asked everyone to be “considerate in the way they shop”, adding: “We understand your concerns, but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without.
“There is enough for everyone if we all work together.”
The raid at outside lidl, this is getting out off control!! What has the world come to!? #panicshopping #coronavirusuk pic.twitter.com/oadVLFHV9K — sana247🇬🇲 (@sanabojang) March 15, 2020
Firms are working closely with the government and suppliers, and have arranged more store deliveries to ensure shelves are stocked, the letter added.
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But footage posted across social media showed lines snaking out into the carparks at large supermarkets and wholesalers, with one Lidl shopper tweeting: “This is getting out off control!! What has the world come to!?”
Meanwhile on Sunday, Waitrose’s website and mobile phone app went offline for a number of hours, while those shopping on Ocado’s online store were placed in a holding queue as customers vied for delivery slots.
Sainsbury’s and Tesco customers also faced a scarcity of delivery dates, with delays of around two weeks expected in some areas.
Environment secretary, George Eustice, said in a statement that he supported the BRC’s call, and added: “By working together, our leading supermarkets have provided the reassurance there is plenty of stock available and people should buy products as they normally would.
“We are in regular contact with the food industry and retailers are continuing to monitor their supply chains and are taking all the necessary steps to ensure consumers have the food and supplies they need.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson To Hold Daily Press Conferences As Crisis Deepens

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Boris Johnson or a senior minister will hold daily press conferences to update the public on the coronavirus crisis, Downing Street has confirmed.
The prime minister will take part in the regular televised address alongside chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, the two senior experts leading the UK’s fight against Covid-19.
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The death toll has hit 35 and there are 1,372 confirmed cases, the Department of Health and Social Care revealed on Sunday.
Anxiety had been growing that Number 10′s “drip feed” communications strategy was “confusing” and lacked transparency, with opposition MPs appealing for Johnson to begin “the explain stage”.
It follows media reports in which ‘senior government sources’ briefed vital information about Number 10′s response to the rapidly-spreading disease to select media outlets.
They included details about about future plans for the over-70s to self-isolate as long as four months and drafting in the army to guard hospitals and supermarkets.
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Now Number 10 has said the PM or a “senior” minister will face scrutiny and host a briefing in Westminster every day.
“The prime minister and this government are committed to keeping the public informed every step of the way about what we’re doing to fight the spread of coronavirus, when we’re doing it and why we’re doing it,” a spokeswoman added.
“At all times, we will be led by the science to bring forward the right responses at the right time to this global pandemic.”
His address on Monday is expected to come after he chairs an emergency Cobra meeting when further decisions could be taken on moves to stem the spread of the disease.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock (right) and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty (left) arrive at the Cabinet Office, Whitehall, London, for a meeting of the Government's emergency committee Cobra to discuss coronavirus. PA
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Measures could include closing schools, banning mass gatherings and asking bars and restaurants to temporarily shutdown in the coming weeks.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday that over-70s could be told “in the coming weeks” to stay at home to shield themselves from the virus.
The cabinet minister also said other severe measures could include police being handed powers to arrest people who are infected but who are not self-isolating.
Meanwhile, on Monday morning the PM will ask British manufacturers including the Unipart Group to support the production of essential medical equipment for the NHS.
The NHS could quickly run short of ventilators to treat coronavirus patients struggling to breathe, it is feared, with around just 5,000 of the machines currently in operation.
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Johnson will also speak with all the G7 leaders including US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss a co-ordinated global response to the pandemic.
“Preparing for the spread of the coronavirus outbreak is a national priority and we’re calling on the manufacturing industry and all those with relevant expertise who might be able to help to come together to help the country tackle this national crisis,” Downing Street said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: What Is The Government's Plan?

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The government is preparing to mount a “war-time” effort to ease the burden on the NHS as coronavirus continues to take its toll on the UK.
In total, 35 people have lost their lives to the disease and the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed on Sunday that 1,372 have been diagnosed so far.
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The current health advice is to stay at home and self-isolate for seven days if you have symptoms.
The symptoms are a high temperature - if “you feel hot to touch on your chest or back” - and/or you have a new, continuous cough.
Ministers are also drawing up detailed plans for elderly people, the health service and wider society.
The government’s contingency plans are changing by the hour as experts learn more about the disease, but here is the latest run-down.
Over-70s to self-isolate for up to four months
Sophy Ridge asks Health Secretary @MattHancock to confirm that those over-70 will be asked to self-isolate and stay at home for up to four months.
He says "that is the plan" but "not yet".
Follow #Ridge live: https://t.co/8xbsmjBX8F pic.twitter.com/VhvZJMCZ8W — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) March 15, 2020
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Health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed on Sunday that the government would “soon” ask people aged over 70 to stay in strict isolation.
This is not yet official government advice but could become the case “within weeks”, the minister added.
It is expected this period of isolation could last up to four months.
Hancock told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “That is in the action plan, yes, and we will be setting it out with more detail when it is the right time to do so because we absolutely appreciate that it is a very big ask of the elderly and the vulnerable, and it’s for their own self-protection.”
Pressed on when the measure will be introduced, he said: “Certainly in the coming weeks, absolutely.”
Hancock said it was OK to visit elderly friends and relatives, provided they are healthy and you are healthy or are showing no Covid-19 symptoms.
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Buying private hospital beds
A coronavirus warning board at the entrance to Edinburgh Waverley train station. PA
Doctors are concerned there will be a shortage of hospital beds, in particular intensive care units (ICUs), to cope with the influx of patients.
As a result, the prime minister has ordered the NHS to buy up private sector 8,000 private hospital beds.
It is expected the government will pay private health companies £300-a-day for a bed.
It follows demands by shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth and the GMB union for the government to requisition beds.
Manufacturers asked to build ventilators
#Marr asks Health Secretary Matt Hancock if car manufacturers will help build ventilators amid the #CoronavirusPandemic
"We want anybody who has got the manufacturing capability"https://t.co/FrQefHUcOS pic.twitter.com/DYg90sA1Go — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 15, 2020
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It is feared the NHS will run out of ventilators to help coronavirus patients breathe and the government plans to ask manufacturers for help making new ones.
The PM is expected to take part in a conference call with bosses at Rolls-Royce, JCB and other British producers to ask them to build thousands of new ventilators.
The NHS has around 5,000 ventilators and the health secretary fears they will not be enough.
Asked repeatedly by journalists on Sunday whether everyone who needed the key piece of equipment would get access to one, Hancock could not confirm they would.
“We start with around 5,000 ventilators, we think we need many times more than that, and we are saying if you produce a ventilator then we will buy it,” he said. “No number is too high.”
School closures
children aged 10-11 running on playground elevated view. Dan Kenyon via Getty Images
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The government is under pressure from teaching unions and parents concerned for elderly relatives to close schools.
It has not yet taken the decision to order shutdowns but it is likely this will happen in the coming weeks.
It is expected schools will close down for a few weeks but that children of key workers - such as those with parents who work in the police or NHS - will be able to continue attending, with skeleton staff asked to provide childcare.
Government advisers think that closing down schools could shave 3% from UK GDP, but there are fears infection could spread.
Travel bans in place
A British Airways plane comes in to land at Heathrow Airport in London as the airline announced that it has cancelled all flights to and from Italy which were scheduled today. PA
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The Foreign Office has advised against all non-essential travel to Italy, Spain, Poland and the US.
It comes as a string of countries go into lockdown and as Donald Trump extended his Europe travel ban to include the UK.
The airline Jet2 has cancelled all flights to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands with immediate effect after the country entered lockdown.
TUI has also released a statement telling all customers that holidays booked to Spain between today and Monday have been cancelled.
Pubs and restaurants may close temporarily and mass gatherings set to be banned
friends at a pub toasting, having a good time, birds view Henrik Sorensen via Getty Images
Leaked details of government plans suggested that pubs could be asked to shut temporarily in the coming weeks.
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Mass gatherings could be banned from as early as next weekend in a bid to both slow the infection rate and ease pressure on emergency services.
Bars and restaurants also face shutting their doors some time after next weekend, when the ban on mass public gatherings is enforced.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: All Pubs In Ireland Shuts Ordered To Close From Sunday Night

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All pubs and bars in the Republic of Ireland have been ordered to close from Sunday evening to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
The move came as 40 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the Irish republic.
The new cases include 23 males and 17 females.
Twenty-five are associated with the east of the country, nine are associated with the west and six are associated with the south.
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There are now 169 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic and there have been two deaths.
Earlier in the day, all pubs and nightclubs in Dublin’s popular Temple Bar said they were to close “with immediate effect”.
The Temple Bar in Dublin, as pubs and clubs in Irish tourist hotspot Temple Bar closed with immediate effect amid Covid-19 fears. PA
In a statement, the government said: “Following discussions today with the Licenced Vintners Association (LVA) and the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), the Government is now calling on all public houses and bars (including hotel bars) to close from this evening (Sunday 15th March) until at least 29 March.
“The LVA and VFI outlined the real difficulty in implementing the published Guidelines on Social Distancing in a public house setting, as pubs are specifically designed to promote social interaction in a situation where alcohol reduces personal inhibitions.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--How Erin Brockovich Became One Of The Most Rewatchable Films Ever Made

Julia Roberts’ toothy grin has always been her signature weapon. In Erin Brockovich, she discharges it within two minutes. Attempting to persuade a doctor to hire her for a lab job without any medical experience, Erin rattles off her qualifications: three kids, great people skills, observant, loves geology. “You’ve got a really nice office,” she finishes, flashing the Julia Roberts Smile, which in another movie might be enough to seal the deal. “Look,” the doctor responds, beginning the inevitable letdown. The smile vanishes like a character abruptly leaving the room. A beat follows. The credits begin.
Those opening moments are movie-star bliss. Really, all 130 minutes of Erin Brockovich are movie-star bliss, a sizzling showcase that depends on the charisma of its lead actor. It’s possible there’s no film I’ve seen more times, barring The Wizard of Oz when I was six. I own“Erin Brockovich on DVD (remember physical media?) but still watch it anytime it’s on TV. I can recite every one-liner, and there are a lot of one-liners. “They’re called boobs, Ed.”
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Twenty years after it came out, it’s just as watchable, maybe more so now that original studio projects meant for adults are basically endangered. Erin Brockovich represents the best of early-2000s mainstream cinema, when Steven Soderbergh directing Julia Roberts in a crowd-pleasing environmental drama translated to three weeks of box-office dominance and five Oscar nominations. This movie was a big deal. It peaked on more than 3,000 screens and became the year’s 10th-highest-grossing title. Roberts was the first woman in Hollywood to earn $20 million for a role, whereas Mel Gibson, Jim Carrey and other men had commanded that sum for years.
Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich Getty Images via Getty Images
Erin Brockovich opened on 17 March 2000, marking the sixth instalment in a Roberts hot streak that already included My Best Friend’s Wedding, Conspiracy Theory, Stepmom, Notting Hill and Runaway Bride. She was indisputably the world’s most famous actress, and in this movie she could merge all of her trademarks. Erin is brazen but infinitely lovable, the equivalent of a hardened pop diva who rises from the ashes, falls for the guy next door (Aaron Eckhart sporting an improbable biker beard) and refuses to forfeit her newfound success for anyone.
The movie follows a design more or less similar to that of All the President’s Men, Norma Rae, Silkwood and A Civil Action, though writer Susannah Grant told me she wasn’t consciously invoking any antecedents. After Erin talks her way into a clerical gig at a California law firm run by Ed Masry (Albert Finney), the attorney who’d represented her in a car accident, she stumbles across documents exposing the toxic groundwater that the multibillion-dollar Pacific Gas and Electric Company knowingly pumped into a local desert town. Her big-screen bona fides swaddled in the tight-fitting clothes of a cash-strapped everywoman, Roberts plays a striver without an advanced education who effects change by asking questions.
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The difference between Erin and the protagonists in those other movies is her brass, something no fancy degree can supply. She cherishes an F-bomb, boasts an arsenal of lacerating retorts and swears by pushup bras — traits that seem aspirational with someone like Julia Roberts bringing them to life.
Indeed, Erin Brockovich remains a feat of screenwriting. Grant had already penned episodes of Party of Five and the 1998 Cinderella update Ever After when she found out the rights to the real Erin Brockovich’s story had recently been optioned. The producers were courting Thelma and Louise scribe Callie Khouri, but when Khouri and other go-to writers passed, Grant scored a meeting with Brockovich, who had final approval. They hit it off. Grant had an affinity for Brockovich’s mouthiness. More importantly, she realised that, unlike All The President’s Men, for example, institutional corruption shouldn’t be the very core of the story.
Julia Roberts and Aaron Eckhart in Erin Brockovich Getty Images via Getty Images
“I did understand that there was a lot of complicated information that I wanted the audience to understand and appreciate and really digest, and I came to believe that the spine of the story would be stronger if it was an emotional spine rather than an informational spine,” Grant said. “So I really structured it [around] Erin and Ed’s relationship. Structurally, it’s a love story. It’s not a romantic love, obviously, but it is an interpersonal love story. That was going to give me the most freedom. There’s a scene where she’s explaining the degree of malfeasance on PG&E’s part, and all of that is in there, but what she’s really doing in that scene is proving to Ed her worth and that he should be stepping up and meeting her where she is.”
The movie asked us to do the same for Roberts, who is often treated more like a brand than a singular talent. If Runaway Bride was a bland effort to repackage her chemistry with Pretty Woman co-star Richard Gere, Erin Brockovich” was the rebuttal — proof that her wattage shines brightest without canned reunions or formulaic genre retreads.
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Interestingly, the one-liners that make “Erin Brockovich” such a treat — my favourite, delivered to a surly lawyer (Veanne Cox) who’s just told Erin they began on the wrong foot: “That’s all you got, lady: two wrong feet in fucking ugly shoes” — weren’t something Grant had focused on. She certainly wasn’t imagining them coming from Roberts, as no one had been cast yet.
Julia Roberts and Albert Finney in Erin Brockovich Getty Images via Getty Images
“If I were to set out to write a one-liner or a great line and that were my motivation, I would probably be completely paralysed,” she said. “Erin’s got a mouth on her and I’ve got a mouth on me, and she loves an opportunity to dress down someone who underestimated her. She just digs in with relish. She bellies up to the bar, and I love that about her. I had spent a tonne of time with her. I had taped all our conversations and then I had transcribed them myself. I knew I needed to get her voice deeply in my head in order to be able to write it. It’s fun to write somebody like that.”
(Richard LaGravenese, whose credits includes The Bridges of Madison County and Behind the Candelabra, did some rewrites of the script — a fairly common practice in Hollywood — but Grant retained sole credit and was nominated for an Oscar. She declined to discuss LaGravenese’s contributions on the record.)
It’s easy to take Erin Brockovich for granted. “After proving for about 40 minutes what a marvellous actress she can be, Ms. Roberts spends the next 90 content to be a movie star,” New York Times critic A.O. Scott wrote in his review. But Roberts’ movie stardom is the selling point. When the Julia Roberts Smile finally gives way to the Julia Roberts Laugh — a hearty bellow that seems to bubble up from some deep internal well — it’s during a rare romantic exchange with Eckhart, as Erin briefly abandons her impudence for a little pillow talk. The laugh is earned because the film knows not to overextend the features that can reduce Roberts to a mere emblem of herself. It’s a flashy performance that feels intimate because there’s a movie star at the centre, someone we can trust to provide substance beyond any crusading sentimentality. (She howled even louder a year later during her Oscar speech.)
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: 14 New Deaths As Number Of Cases In The UK Jumps To 1,372

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The UK’s coronavirus death toll rose to 35 as it was revealed the government will ask elderly people to self-isolate for up to four months.
The Department of Health said 14 more patients have died in England after testing positive for Covid-19. This follows the 10 deaths announced on Saturday.
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A total of 34 people have died from the virus in England, while there has been one death in Scotland.
NHS England said the patients whose deaths were announced on Sunday were aged between 59 and 94, and they had underlying health conditions.
They were being cared for at the following: Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Mid Essex Hospital Service NHS Trust, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, North Manchester General Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.
There have been a total of 1,372 positive tests for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Sunday, up from 1,140 at the same time on Saturday, the DoH said.
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock said people aged over 70 will be asked in the coming weeks to self-isolate for up to four months, in order to protect them from the virus.
Asked if that time frame was in the government’s plan, he told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “That is in the action plan, yes, and we will be setting it out with more detail when it is the right time to do so, because we absolutely appreciate that it is a very big ask of the elderly and the vulnerable, and it’s for their own self-protection.”
Pressed on when the measure will be introduced, he said: “Certainly in the coming weeks, absolutely.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will personally urge manufacturers to shift their production lines to build ventilators, amid concerns that critical care facilities will come under intense pressure as the Covid-19 crisis intensifies.
Engineers have already been asked to draw up plans to quickly produce more ventilators in the UK, with JCB confirming it had been approached by the prime minister regarding the production of such equipment.
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The health secretary said a bill setting out emergency powers to deal with the outbreak will be published on Thursday, and details of what the powers will include will be shared on Tuesday.
Hancock said ministers are yet to make a decision on whether to ban gatherings of more than 500 people in the rest of the UK, after Scotland said it would bring in restrictions from Monday.
The government is in talks with private hospitals about the possibility of taking over beds, in a further sign of the pressures that will face the health service at the peak of the coronavirus outbreak.
There could also be a shift to household isolation rather than individual self-isolation.
The Department of Health shared the latest figures on Saturday afternoon. JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images
Experts on the UK’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) set out the need for extra action to slow the spread of the disease, advising that the next interventions “will need to be instituted soon”.
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Public Health Wales confirmed 34 new cases of Covid-19 in Wales on Sunday, bringing the total number confirmed in the country to 94.
Eleven new cases were confirmed in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number of known cases there to 45.
Meanwhile, the US government imposed a travel ban on the UK and Ireland in response to the pandemic, with restrictions effective as of 4am GMT on Tuesday.
Negotiations are also taking place with private health firms about access to their hospital beds.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Landlords Could Be Given A Mortgage Holiday Because Of Coronavirus. What About Their Tenants?

Updated: See the latest stories on the coronavirus outbreak.
The coronavirus outbreak isn’t just affecting our health – it’s limiting our ability to work and in turn maintain financial stability.
As the the prospect of social-distancing measures loom, with sporting events already called off, increasing self isolation, and a possible ban on mass gatherings, more people – particularly those who rely on gig-economy jobs – face a lack of work and little pay.
The threat posed by Covid-19 could in many cases amount to homelessness, with rent often one of the average tenant’s biggest monthly outgoings (the average UK rent ranged between £535 a month in the North East in 2019 and £1694 the same year in Greater London).
Some of the country’s biggest banks announced earlier this week that they would be willing to help borrowers, including people with mortgages, if they were unable to make a repayment as a result of stalling income amid the Covid–19 crisis.
RBS, Lloyds, and TSB all said they would consider requests for help on a case-by-case basis, including from people with buy-to-let mortgages.
Some borrowers on tracker mortgages, which account for around 11% of all outstanding mortgages in the UK, have already been given a boost by falling interest rates which meant their monthly repayments fell overnight.
But whilst assurances such as these have started to be introduced for property owners, these offers of help are of little comfort to renters who are already often in a more economically precarious position than their landlords.
A spokesperson for renter’s union ACORN said: “In a society in which there is an enormous imbalance of power when it comes to property, between landlords and tenants (due to the economic relationship between them), it is disgusting for landlords to be afforded a mortgage holiday while (overwhelmingly more vulnerable and precarious) tenants continue to have to pay rent.”
Amid uncertainty fuelled by the pandemic, ACORN have set up a petition entitled ‘Protect Renters Now’, with more than 5,000 signatories calling upon PM Boris Johnson to enact a number of measures to prevent renters who can’t pay from being evicted.
These include enacting temporary rent freezes, an emergency freeze on all current section 21 or section eight evictions, and a temporary ban on evictions of housing association and council tenants.
When asked what assurances the government could give renters that they wouldn’t be made homeless as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, and what plans were in place to help struggling tenants, a government spokesperson said: “The government has always been clear that our priority is to put people first, which is why there is support in place to help affected people and minimise any social and economic disruption.
“We’ve announced a range of measures to support people and communities, including a £500m fund for households experiencing financial hardship and ensuring statutory sick pay is available from the first day people take off work.”
In 2017, the UK collectively paid £50b in rent. With these figures in mind, if the entirety of the £500m hardship fund was donated to tenants, it wouldn’t even cover a week’s worth of collective rent paid nationally. Statutory sick pay is just £94.25 a week, which equates to £377 a month – more than £150 short of the average cheapest rent in the North East in 2019.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “The situation with coronavirus is serious and developing daily. While the country faces unprecedented times, we’re asking landlords to be sensitive to any tenants affected by coronavirus or self-isolating who could lose out on income and temporarily struggle with their rent.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: Wife Of Man Who Died After Testing Positive For Covid-19 Urges People To 'Take Extra Pr

Coronavirus: Wife Of Man Who Died After Testing Positive For Covid-19 Urges People To 'Take Extra Precautions'

Nick and Mary Matthews. Mary Matthews/Facebook
The wife of a 59-year-old man who died after testing positive for coronavirus has urged people to “take extra precautions” after sharing a picture of them together on social media.
Nick Matthews, from Nailsea, Somerset, died at Bristol Royal Infirmary in the early hours of Saturday.
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He was diagnosed with pneumonia and was admitted to the intensive care unit after showing other signs for coronavirus.
His wife, Mary, told Nailsea People that he had been taken into hospital with breathing difficulties on Thursday.
She said her husband, who was disabled and unable to work, had previously suffered a heart attack, forcing him to retire from work as a police officer 10 years ago.
She added that the test had come back positive and urged those who had been in contact with the family to self-isolate and seek advice.
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The UK’s coronavirus death toll stands at 35, with a total of 1,372 positive tests for the disease.
Mrs Matthews told Nailsea People: “People who may have come into contact with either Nick or me during the past two weeks need to self-isolate and get advice.
“Although he tested positive, until a post-mortem examination, we can’t say that was cause of death at the moment.
“I don’t want to panic people, but I do want people to take extra precautions.”
In a post on Facebook on Saturday, Mrs Matthews wrote: “Today at 3am I lost my life partner and soul mate but most of all my best friend.
“Charlotte, Ben and I are beyond proud to have had such a big character in our lives. As a family we are still currently in isolation until the coronavirus test results come back.
“Someone will post again when we have more information. In the meantime, I know some of you would like to visit, but please for you and your families safety, stay away until we get the all clear.”
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The couple had recently returned from a holiday in Fuerteventura, flying out on February 22 and returning on February 29.
Many paid tribute to him on Facebook, with one describing him as a “true Avon and Somerset Police legend”.
In a statement, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust said: “Sadly, we can confirm that a man who was being cared for at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, and had tested positive for Covid-19, has died.
“The patient who died was in his late-fifties and had underlying health conditions.
“The family has been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. We will not be commenting further and ask that everybody respects the family’s privacy.”
Councillor Don Davies, the leader of North Somerset Council, said the authority’s “heartfelt condolences” were with the family and all that knew him.
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“I understand that the family have requested privacy at this difficult time and I ask that everyone respects their wishes,” Cllr Davies said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-15--Downing Street's 'Drip Feed' Of News On Coronavirus Crisis Branded 'Dangerous'

Health secretary Matt Hancock at the Cabinet Office PA
Boris Johnson has been told get a grip of Downing Street’s coronavirus communications strategy after a “drip feed” of press briefings over the crisis sparked confusion.
ITV published a report on Saturday, citing a ‘senior government source’, saying the over-70s would be asked to self-isolate for as long as four months to protect themselves from the disease.
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But the significant new measure was not officially confirmed until Sunday, when health secretary Matt Hancock officially admitted in a Sky News interview that ministers would “soon” ask elderly people to stay at home.
It came amid a flurry of newspaper reports, many quoting unnamed Number 10 sources, outlining different measures the government has planned – some of which not seen “since war time” – including the army guarding hospitals.
Hancock has also been personally criticised for placing a comment piece in the Daily Telegraph, which initially appeared behind a paywall and revealed the government would ask manufacturers to switch production to build ventilators to treat the sick.
In a series of tweets on Saturday morning, opposition MPs and public figures told ministers the “drip feed” approach of making “unaccountable anonymous briefings” to journalists was “dangerous” and risked undermining public trust in the government’s approach in a series of tweets on Saturday morning.
Giving public health information out in exclusives to newspapers behind paywalls or in annoymous briefing to journalists is not the way to do this. — John Cryer (@JohnCryerMP) March 15, 2020
After a confusing 48 hours Health Secretary @MattHancock attempts to reassure the country that the government “has a plan to protect life & to protect the NHS.” He’s not helped by the fact key announcements are being made in unaccountable anonymous briefings to journalists #marr — Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) March 15, 2020
With respect to Robert who is doing his job (well!), this kind of briefing just isn’t acceptable @BorisJohnson @MattHancock. There need to be daily televised briefings from the CMO and CSA or their deputies with clear and understandable instructions backed up by evidence. (1/x) https://t.co/xfchLouPpR — Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) March 15, 2020
Many of us are having to think through the consequences of covid-19 for people that we love and care for. It is bad enough having difficult conversations with family members who are at risk, without having to do so based on briefing and speculation (2/x). — Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) March 15, 2020
The handling of communications at a time of national crisis is critical. Backdoor briefings and placed pieces in a single newspaper isn’t the way to build trust and confidence
I think so far @MattHancock has done well, but we need absolute clarity and openness https://t.co/DQtkcB432j — Jim McMahon (@JimfromOldham) March 15, 2020
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And dangerous - what on earth are they thinking? https://t.co/eVh5pzC6g0 — Angela Eagle (@angelaeagle) March 15, 2020
Whoever is behind the selective No.10 briefings needs to undergo an immediate period of enforced self-isolation before they end up getting a lot of people killed. — (((Dan Hodges))) (@DPJHodges) March 15, 2020
Keir Starmer, the frontrunner to be the next Labour leader, called for an end to anonymous press briefings by Number 10 and called for daily press conferences on the crisis from ministers.
He said: “I am deeply concerned that over the past 48 hours ministers have been failing in their responsibilities to provide consistent and transparent public health advice.
“To allow anonymous and speculative briefings to journalists about a significant step-change in the government’s response to the outbreak is irresponsible.
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“At a time of national crisis, we need a government that is offering openness and transparency, not confusion and uncertainty.”
The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed on Saturday that the number of deaths in the UK had doubled, taking the total to 21, while the number of cases hit 1,140 - an increase of 342 from Friday’s figure of 798.
It comes amid clamour from the public for information over how best to shield their loved ones from the potentially-fatal virus.
Some supermarket shelves have been emptied over the last 24 hours as people scramble to stock up on supplies of essentials such as toilet toll.
Hancock insisted the government was doing all it could to protect life.
He told the Andrew Marr Show the UK had not ruled out following other countries and closing restaurants, bars and other shops to prevent the spread, and added a “massive community response” was needed to tackle Covid-19.
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