inews--2020-05-04--Tiger King: TV adaptation of Netflix documentary announced, starring Nicolas Cage

Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin are to be portrayed in a new series after the huge hit The Oscar-winning actor will also serve as an executive producer on the eight-episode project , which is set to be written by American Vandal showrunner Dan Lagana .
The trials and tribulations of the zoo keeper , who is serving 22 years in prison for plotting the murder of Carole Baskin , an animal rights activist , has become one of the biggest talking points of 2020 .
Tiger King : Murder , Mayhem And Madness arrived on Netflix in March and proved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as viewers under lockdown flocked to its colourful cast of characters and shocking plot twists .
It tells the story of Exotic - whose real name is Joe Schreibvogel - a mulleted , gun-toting , polygamist who presides over an Oklahoma zoo .
Tiger King : Murder , Mayhem and Madness will be released on Netflix on Friday 20 March ( Photo : Netflix ) The series is being produced by Imagine Television Studios and CBS Television Studios and will soon be offered to TV networks and streaming platforms .
It is based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , titled Joe Exotic : A Dark Journey Into The World Of A Man Gone Wild , by Leif Reigstad .
Exotic said his first choice to play him would be Brad Pitt , not Cage , for whom it will be his first TV project .
The 56-year-old won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of an alcoholic Hollywood writer in 1995 's Leaving Las Vegas .
He is known for his distinctive acting style , his other roles include The Rock , Face/Off , Con Air and National Treasure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaction , with even President Donald Trump chiming in on the case ( he said he would `` look at '' pardoning Exotic , but had not seen the series ) .
Carole Baskin was targeted by Joe Exotic amid her attempts to shut his business down ( Photo : Netflix ) According to reports , Exotic filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Interior and the US Federal Wildlife Service in March 2020 , claiming that he was convicted on false testimony .
Carole Baskin , the founder and CEO of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has continued to raise awareness despite what happened with Exotic .
In 2019 , the animal rights activist launched the first Augmented Reality Zoos , which allows visitors to see the animals virtually .
The bulk of attention around Baskin has centred around the mystery disappearance of her first husband , Don Lewis .
She strongly denies being involved and has criticised Netflix for not giving her sufficient right to reply to the allegations .

Nicolas Cage is set to play eccentric zoo owner Joe Exotic in a new adaptation of Netflix’s breakout documentary series Tiger King.
The Oscar-winning actor will also serve as an executive producer on the eight-episode project, which is set to be written by American Vandal showrunner Dan Lagana.
The trials and tribulations of the zoo keeper, who is serving 22 years in prison for plotting the murder of Carole Baskin, an animal rights activist, has become one of the biggest talking points of 2020.
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem And Madness arrived on Netflix in March and proved a huge hit for the streaming giant as viewers under lockdown flocked to its colourful cast of characters and shocking plot twists.
It tells the story of Exotic – whose real name is Joe Schreibvogel – a mulleted, gun-toting, polygamist who presides over an Oklahoma zoo.
TV dramatisation
The series is being produced by Imagine Television Studios and CBS Television Studios and will soon be offered to TV networks and streaming platforms.
It is based on an article published in Texas Monthly, titled Joe Exotic: A Dark Journey Into The World Of A Man Gone Wild, by Leif Reigstad.
Exotic said his first choice to play him would be Brad Pitt, not Cage, for whom it will be his first TV project.
The 56-year-old won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of an alcoholic Hollywood writer in 1995’s Leaving Las Vegas. He is known for his distinctive acting style, his other roles include The Rock, Face/Off, Con Air and National Treasure.
Critical reception
The Netflix series led to a worldwide reaction, with even President Donald Trump chiming in on the case (he said he would “look at” pardoning Exotic, but had not seen the series).
According to reports, Exotic filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Interior and the US Federal Wildlife Service in March 2020, claiming that he was convicted on false testimony.
Carole Baskin, the founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida, has continued to raise awareness despite what happened with Exotic. In 2019, the animal rights activist launched the first Augmented Reality Zoos, which allows visitors to see the animals virtually.
The bulk of attention around Baskin has centred around the mystery disappearance of her first husband, Don Lewis. She strongly denies being involved and has criticised Netflix for not giving her sufficient right to reply to the allegations.


inews--2020-05-04--Coronavirus latest: Blood plasma treatment trial ‘off to a promising start’

First plasma infusion was made on Sunday A trial of a Covid-19 blood plasma treatment has got off to a good start , medics report .
The first patient was given an infusion of plasma from a coronavirus survivor at St Thomas ’ hospital on Sunday in the hope that it contains antibodies that will help them fight the disease .
Although it is too early to say whether the trial will succeed the head of the hospital group that includes St Thomas ’ told i that it was going well so far .
“ We ’ ve treated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went smoothly .
I ’ m very pleased about that and hopefully many more patients will be given that treatment , ” said Professor Sir Robert Lechler .
“ There were no adverse effects .
The plasma was extracted [ from a Covid-19 survivor ] and was screened for any potential hazardous pathogens such as HIV and then it was infused into the patient .
It went well , ” he said .
Matt Hancock gives plasma to new UK clinical trial for Covid-19 treatment ( Photo : Matt Hancock/Twitter ) Blood plasma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about half of the blood .
It carries red and white blood cells around as well as platelets and antibodies .
“ The smartest time to do the infusion is in patients who are not yet sick enough to go into intensive care but they 're not yet ventilated .
That 's the time I would say the antibody treatment probably has most promise , helping patients avoid the need to go on to ventilation , ” said Prof Lechler , who is also president of The Academy of Medical Sciences .
'Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take some weeks before it 'll be clear whether it has managed to reduce the number of patients needing ventilation , ” he said .
Professor Lechler is not part of the team conducting the trials but is in regular contact with those who are.There are dangers , experts warn .
Blood infusions could potentially cause infection or allergic reactions – while there is even a slim chance that infusing antibodies could escalate the virus , as it does with dengue , although work carried out so far suggests this will not be @ @ @ @ @

A trial of a Covid-19 blood plasma treatment has got off to a good start, medics report. The first patient was given an infusion of plasma from a coronavirus survivor at St Thomas’ hospital on Sunday in the hope that it contains antibodies that will help them fight the disease.
Although it is too early to say whether the trial will succeed the head of the hospital group that includes St Thomas’ told i that it was going well so far.
“We’ve treated the first patient with convalescent plasma and it went smoothly. I’m very pleased about that and hopefully many more patients will be given that treatment,” said Professor Sir Robert Lechler.
Promising, but no magic bullet
“It’s promising – it’s no magic bullet but I think it’s helpful,” he said.
“There were no adverse effects. The plasma was extracted [from a Covid-19 survivor] and was screened for any potential hazardous pathogens such as HIV and then it was infused into the patient. It went well,” he said.
Blood plasma is a straw-coloured fluid that makes up about half of the blood. It carries red and white blood cells around as well as platelets and antibodies.
“The smartest time to do the infusion is in patients who are not yet sick enough to go into intensive care but they’re not yet ventilated. That’s the time I would say the antibody treatment probably has most promise, helping patients avoid the need to go on to ventilation,” said Prof Lechler, who is also president of The Academy of Medical Sciences.
‘Some weeks before know’
“It’’ll take some weeks before it’ll be clear whether it has managed to reduce the number of patients needing ventilation,” he said.
Professor Lechler is not part of the team conducting the trials but is in regular contact with those who are.
There are dangers, experts warn. Blood infusions could potentially cause infection or allergic reactions – while there is even a slim chance that infusing antibodies could escalate the virus, as it does with dengue, although work carried out so far suggests this will not be the case for Covid-19.
Prof Lechler said he was confident the treatment is safe.


inews--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Amazon vice-president quits in protest over sacking of whistleblowers who criticised sa

Coronavirus: Amazon vice-president quits in protest over sacking of whistleblowers who criticised safety measures

Coronavirus : Amazon vice-president quits in protest over sacking of whistleblowers who criticised safety measures Tim Bray spoke of the moment he 'snapped ' and realised he could longer work at the e-retailer A vice president at Amazon has quit in protest at the sacking of workers who criticised the firm over its coronavirus safety measures .
In a blog post , Tim Bray , who had been at the company for more than five years , voiced his “ dismay ” that the whistleblowers had been fired and called it “ evidence of a vein of toxicity running through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Amazon “ exceptionally well-managed ” and had “ great skill at spotting opportunities ” he wrote that it has “ a corresponding lack of vision about the human costs of the relentless growth and accumulation of wealth and power ” .
His criticisms come after Amazon faces a possible investigation in New York , where the company fired the organiser of a protest about safety conditions at a warehouse there .
And Mr Bray said that the sacking of office staff who had been organising another protest and had been openly critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the point when he “ snapped ” .
Workers have criticised Amazon for not doing enough to protect warehouse staff against Covid-19 ( Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty ) He added that he first relayed his concerns internally but said that he felt he had no option but to leave .
`` Remaining an Amazon [ vice president ] would have meant , in effect , signing off on actions I despised .
So I resigned , '' he wrote adding that the decision would cost him “ over a million ( pre-tax ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ ve ever had ” .
His last day was on 1 May .
The internet giant temporarily shut its six warehouses in France after a court ordered it to stop all but essential deliveries .
Sales for the e-retailer surged 26 per cent year-on-year in the first three months of the year as the coronavirus lockdown boosted demand for online orders .
Amazon said this could rise to 28 per cent in the next quarter .
However , at the end of April Amazon said that it would spend around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures over the next three months .

A vice president at Amazon has quit in protest at the sacking of workers who criticised the firm over its coronavirus safety measures.
In a blog post, Tim Bray, who had been at the company for more than five years, voiced his “dismay” that the whistleblowers had been fired and called it “evidence of a vein of toxicity running through the company culture.”
He added: “I choose neither to serve nor drink that poison.”
While he called Amazon “exceptionally well-managed” and had “great skill at spotting opportunities” he wrote that it has “a corresponding lack of vision about the human costs of the relentless growth and accumulation of wealth and power”.
Safety conditions
His criticisms come after Amazon faces a possible investigation in New York, where the company fired the organiser of a protest about safety conditions at a warehouse there.
And Mr Bray said that the sacking of office staff who had been organising another protest and had been openly critical of the company on climate issues was the point when he “snapped”.
He added that he first relayed his concerns internally but said that he felt he had no option but to leave.
“Remaining an Amazon [vice president] would have meant, in effect, signing off on actions I despised. So I resigned,” he wrote adding that the decision would cost him “over a million (pre-tax) dollars” and “the best job, I’ve ever had”. His last day was on 1 May.
Workers have criticised Amazon for not doing enough to protect warehouse staff against Covid-19.
Sales surge
The internet giant temporarily shut its six warehouses in France after a court ordered it to stop all but essential deliveries.
On Monday France’s labour ministry refused a request by Amazon for emergency funds to pay its employees during the coronavirus crisis.
Sales for the e-retailer surged 26 per cent year-on-year in the first three months of the year as the coronavirus lockdown boosted demand for online orders. Amazon said this could rise to 28 per cent in the next quarter.
However, at the end of April Amazon said that it would spend around $4bn (£3.2bn) on coronavirus measures over the next three months.
Amazon’s chief executive, Jeff Bezos, is one of the world’s richest people with a fortune of $138bn (£111bn).
Amazon said it would not be commenting on Mr Bray’s departure.


inews--2020-05-04--White-tailed eagles soar over UK gardens for the first time in 240 years

White-tailed eagles soar over UK gardens for the first time in 240 years Last year a reintroduction programme of the eagles began on the Isle of Wight During the lockdown , the huge birds of prey have been giving aerial displays to an appreciative audience who have spotted them flying over gardens across England .
Where have they been spreading their wings , which by the way span up to 2.54m ( 8ft ) ?
Trackers worn by eagles , who were initially introduced on the Isle of Wight last year , have logged some impressive flights .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a 256mile ( 427km ) four-day journey along the south-west of England before returning “ home ” to the Isle of Wight .
Another , G393 , flew to the Peak District via Suffolk after spending winter in Oxfordshire .
The third , G318 , has settled in the North York Moors and the fourth eagle , G324 , remains on the Isle of Wight .
What was the reintroduction programme ?
In August six eagles were released onto the Isle of Wight .
It was part of a five-year introduction programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sadly in October one was found dead and another remains missing .
The project will see at least six birds released annually but they are not expected to breed until 2024 .
White-tailed eagles were once widespread across the UK .
The last known breeding pair in England was recorded at Culver Cliff on the Isle of Wight in 1780 .
They were wiped out in the UK about a century ago .
What are these birds like ?
As well as their huge wingspan , they can measure from 66cm-94cm ( 26in-37in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a vocal bird and male and females “ duet ” during early Spring .
They pair for life and feed on mainly fish and water birds .
Also known as the sea eagle , they spend most of their time - up to 90 per cent - perched on trees and crags .
They are the UK ’ s largest bird of prey .
Conservationists ' hearts must be soaring with this latest news .
They are .
A Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation spokesman has asked the public to continue to log @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If you are fortunate to see a white-tailed eagle over your home or garden then please report it , ” he said .
“ But please do remember to stay at home at the present time . ''

During the lockdown, the huge birds of prey have been giving aerial displays to an appreciative audience who have spotted them flying over gardens across England.
Where have they been spreading their wings, which by the way span up to 2.54m (8ft)?
Trackers worn by eagles, who were initially introduced on the Isle of Wight last year, have logged some impressive flights. One of the birds, known as G274, made a 256mile (427km) four-day journey along the south-west of England before returning “home” to the Isle of Wight. Another, G393, flew to the Peak District via Suffolk after spending winter in Oxfordshire. The third, G318, has settled in the North York Moors and the fourth eagle, G324, remains on the Isle of Wight.
What was the reintroduction programme?
In August six eagles were released onto the Isle of Wight. It was part of a five-year introduction programme by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation. Sadly in October one was found dead and another remains missing. The project will see at least six birds released annually but they are not expected to breed until 2024. White-tailed eagles were once widespread across the UK. The last known breeding pair in England was recorded at Culver Cliff on the Isle of Wight in 1780. They were wiped out in the UK about a century ago.
What are these birds like?
As well as their huge wingspan, they can measure from 66cm-94cm (26in-37in) in length. The white-tailed eagle is a vocal bird and male and females “duet” during early Spring. They pair for life and feed on mainly fish and water birds. Also known as the sea eagle, they spend most of their time – up to 90 per cent – perched on trees and crags. They are the UK’s largest bird of prey.
Conservationists’ hearts must be soaring with this latest news.
They are. A Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation spokesman has asked the public to continue to log sightings, but with a lockdown caveat. “If you are fortunate to see a white-tailed eagle over your home or garden then please report it,” he said. “But please do remember to stay at home at the present time.”


inews--2020-05-04--Isolation Stories, ITV, review: A strong start to the lockdown focused drama

Sheridan Smith — who is herself isolation while pregnant — was warm and relatable as lonely Mel ITV ’ s high-concept new series , Isolation Stories , provides 15-minute glimpses into lives in lockdown .
Executive produced by Bafta-winning screenwriter Jeff Pope ( See No Evil : The Moors Murders ) and airing every night this week , it is intended both to entertain and document this extraordinary time .
Things got off to a strong start , helped largely by the presence of Sheridan Smith in the lead role .
Smith , herself heavily pregnant , played a pregnant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her due date and furious with everyone , from her well-meaning colleagues to her father , who had refused to invite her to share his house during isolation .
Mel wasn ’ t best pleased with the father of her child , either , a married man whose status she had not initially been aware of .
She found herself leaving furious messages on his phone late at night .
A tight script from Gaby Chiappe ( Misbehaviour ) touched on everything from the hideousness of the Zoom conference call to how easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting that everything is fine , particularly at a time when the majority of your communication is happening online .
Sheridan Smith starred in the first episode of Isolation Stories ( Photo : ITV ) At this episode ’ s heart was a conversation between Mel and a stranger who had called her back offering support after she called the wrong number and left a distraught message to a school friend .
This stranger turned out to have a secret of her own ( shouting heard towards the conversation ’ s end hinted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here that you couldn ’ t help wishing the format had been longer .
Chiappe ’ s point that we can never know what is happening behind closed doors was carefully made but the power of the revelation was lessened by its abruptness .
Still , there was no denying Smith ’ s warmth .
A touching ending in which she sang to her unborn child will have resonated with many who are similarly alone .

Isolation Stories, ITV, 9pm ★★★
ITV’s high-concept new series, Isolation Stories, provides 15-minute glimpses into lives in lockdown. Executive produced by Bafta-winning screenwriter Jeff Pope (See No Evil: The Moors Murders) and airing every night this week, it is intended both to entertain and document this extraordinary time.
Things got off to a strong start, helped largely by the presence of Sheridan Smith in the lead role. Smith, herself heavily pregnant, played a pregnant woman called Mel, three weeks off her due date and furious with everyone, from her well-meaning colleagues to her father, who had refused to invite her to share his house during isolation.
Mel wasn’t best pleased with the father of her child, either, a married man whose status she had not initially been aware of. She found herself leaving furious messages on his phone late at night.
A tight script from Gaby Chiappe (Misbehaviour) touched on everything from the hideousness of the Zoom conference call to how easy it is to put up a façade suggesting that everything is fine, particularly at a time when the majority of your communication is happening online.
At this episode’s heart was a conversation between Mel and a stranger who had called her back offering support after she called the wrong number and left a distraught message to a school friend.
This stranger turned out to have a secret of her own (shouting heard towards the conversation’s end hinted at domestic violence) and it was here that you couldn’t help wishing the format had been longer. Chiappe’s point that we can never know what is happening behind closed doors was carefully made but the power of the revelation was lessened by its abruptness.
Still, there was no denying Smith’s warmth. A touching ending in which she sang to her unborn child will have resonated with many who are similarly alone.


inews--2020-05-04--Coronavirus latest: 'Selectively lifting lockdown measures' could lead to public anger

Expert on group set up to rival the Government 's scientific advisory board said over-70s should be treated differently to anybody else Officials are considering how coronavirus restrictions could be lifted , and later this week Boris Johnson is expected to set out a road map out of the lockdown .
One policy being considered is that specific groups , such as the over-70s , will be asked to stay in lockdown while others are not .
Behavioural scientists explain why we are happy to stick to coronavirus social distancing and lockdown rules ( Photo : Hollie Adams/Getty ) '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown it 's going to be a very different situation because in the lockdown similar measures were being carried out across the whole population , by and large , '' she said .
`` But what we 're going to be seeing is different measures for different sections of the population and so this has the potential for undermining the collective solidarity that has been so important for trust , for adherence , for helping each other , and if it 's not handled well , risks potential division between groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which can lead to resentment and anger and people getting alienated from the collective and what 's being asked of them .
`` Really a lot of thought needs to be given to how this is going to be managed and managed in such a way that all sections of the population are being looked after and their needs are being met . ''
Sir David King has decided to set up an 'independent ' scientific advisory group to rival Sage .
( Photo : NIKLAS HALLE ' N/AFP/Getty ) The Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) but it has been accused of lacking transparency for not publishing minutes of meetings .
In response Sir David King , government chief scientific adviser between 2000 and 2007 under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown , convened a separate 12-strong `` independent '' panel of experts who met for the first time on Monday .
“ We don ’ t know what advice is coming from the scientists on Sage into the government , ” Sir David said .
“ There is no transparency in the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that they are simply following the science advice all the time , we the public don ’ t have any check on that.
” What will the new group discuss ?
Whereas the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) refuses to publish minutes of its meetings , it is highly likely to cover the same topics of discussion as Sir David King 's new group .
Some of the areas the former government chief scientific adviser 's new `` independent '' body will cover include : The test , trace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incredibly successfully in countries such as South Korea , enabling that country to avoid the thousands of deaths seen in the UK .
The Government abandoned its contact tracing policy in March but will now return to it in a bid to stay ahead of the virus .
Whereas the UK Government recommends a 2 metre space the World Health Organisation says 1 metre is safe , while others suggest 1.5m or 1.8m .
Ministers are reported to be considering whether to relax the two metre rule for social distancing in workplaces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get back to jobs where it is not always feasible to stay apart .
All over-70s , regardless of their health , are still considered `` clinically vulnerable '' by the Government .
Alleged plans to stop people in that age group from leaving their homes while restrictions on younger people are eased has been met with fury by many .
One idea floated by ministers is to have a list akin to a `` BT friends and family '' group where up to 10 close family and friends can visit each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Selectively lifting lockdown measures could lead to resentment and anger among the population which has otherwise shown solidarity, an expert on the group set up to rival the Government’s scientific advisory board has said.
Susan Michie, professor of health psychology and Director of the Centre for Behaviour Change at University College London, said there was a risk of the measures causing division if, as expected, different sections of the population need to adhere to different measures.
Officials are considering how coronavirus restrictions could be lifted, and later this week Boris Johnson is expected to set out a road map out of the lockdown. One policy being considered is that specific groups, such as the over-70s, will be asked to stay in lockdown while others are not.
Professor Michie said the public’s adherence to restrictions had been surprising, but largely down to a collective solidarity.
“Going forward, in terms of lifting the lockdown it’s going to be a very different situation because in the lockdown similar measures were being carried out across the whole population, by and large,” she said.
“But what we’re going to be seeing is different measures for different sections of the population and so this has the potential for undermining the collective solidarity that has been so important for trust, for adherence, for helping each other, and if it’s not handled well, risks potential division between groups, risks perceived inequality and injustice and unfairness, which can lead to resentment and anger and people getting alienated from the collective and what’s being asked of them.
“Really a lot of thought needs to be given to how this is going to be managed and managed in such a way that all sections of the population are being looked after and their needs are being met.”
She added that if specific groups such as the over-70s are asked to stay in lockdown while others are not, the message would have to be much more “nuanced”.
Transparent?
The Government is being guided by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) but it has been accused of lacking transparency for not publishing minutes of meetings. In response Sir David King, government chief scientific adviser between 2000 and 2007 under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, convened a separate 12-strong “independent” panel of experts who met for the first time on Monday.
It will focus on seven key points, including how testing and tracing can work, and the future of social distancing. Their findings will be shared with the public by streaming meetings on YouTube.
The meeting came as Sage finally published a list of 50 advisers on the Government group, led by chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and the chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty. Two members of Sage did not give permission for their names to be made public.
“We don’t know what advice is coming from the scientists on Sage into the government,” Sir David said. “There is no transparency in the process. When ministers and the prime minister say that they are simply following the science advice all the time, we the public don’t have any check on that.”
Hot topics — Subjects occupying the scientists
What will the new group discuss?
Whereas the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) refuses to publish minutes of its meetings, it is highly likely to cover the same topics of discussion as Sir David King’s new group. Some of the areas the former government chief scientific adviser’s new “independent” body will cover include:
Testing and tracing
The test, trace, isolate policy for tackling Covid-19 worked incredibly successfully in countries such as South Korea, enabling that country to avoid the thousands of deaths seen in the UK. The Government abandoned its contact tracing policy in March but will now return to it in a bid to stay ahead of the virus.
Social Distancing
Whereas the UK Government recommends a 2 metre space the World Health Organisation says 1 metre is safe, while others suggest 1.5m or 1.8m. Ministers are reported to be considering whether to relax the two metre rule for social distancing in workplaces, which could make it easier for people to get back to jobs where it is not always feasible to stay apart.
Over-70s
All over-70s, regardless of their health, are still considered “clinically vulnerable” by the Government. Alleged plans to stop people in that age group from leaving their homes while restrictions on younger people are eased has been met with fury by many. One idea floated by ministers is to have a list akin to a “BT friends and family” group where up to 10 close family and friends can visit each other’s households, including the elderly.
Vaccines
Matt Hancock played down suggestions that the Government may have to make vaccination compulsory once an effective vaccine became available. However, he has previously advocated making childhood vaccinations compulsory due to the UK’s falling rates.


inews--2020-05-04--Coronavirus lockdown: Boris Johnson dismisses calls from Conservative MPs calling for an early relax

Coronavirus lockdown: Boris Johnson dismisses calls from Conservative MPs calling for an early relaxation of measures

Coronavirus lockdown : Boris Johnson dismisses calls from Conservative MPs calling for an early relaxation of measures PM : Easing controls too early would 'risk a second peak' His backbench critics argue that the restrictions threaten long-term damage to Britain ’ s economy as well as the health of people kept cooped up indoors for a lengthy period .
Several Cabinet ministers are known privately to share their fears .
But Mr Johnson warned that easing up too soon would be the “ worst thing we could do ” and risk a second peak of the virus .
The Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five-week lockdown on Thursday and will set out a plan on Sunday for how Britain can adjust to a “ new normal ” during the summer and autumn .
It is clear that Mr Johnson will not announce any major loosening of the rules this weekend despite pressure from business chiefs and Tory MPs to begin lifting the shutdown .
Boris Johnson said that he would unveil ' a road map ' out of lockdown in the coming days ( Photo : Getty ) The number of deaths from coronavirus in UK rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase since the end of March , reinforcing suggestions that the peak of the disease has passed .
However , England 's deputy chief medical officer , Jonathan Van-Tam , told the daily Downing Street press conference that only two of the five tests for easing the lockdown had so far been achieved .
Nicola Sturgeon , the Scottish First Minister , appeared to pre-empt the Prime Minister ’ s decision by indicating that the lockdown is set to continue for several weeks .
She said the infection rate is still too high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the restrictions on Thursday .
But Steve Baker , the former Brexit minister , said : “ Millions of people in our country have been plunged into idleness at public expense and unemployment , facing financial and psychological hardship on a scale never seen before .
“ Thousands of people have missed life-prolonging health appointments .
Vulnerable people are isolated and domestic violence has soared .
Soon will come the full economic impact on all our lives.
” The former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said : “ The public is adult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not continue indefinitely.
” But Mr Johnson said in a video message : “ The worst thing that we could do now is ease up too soon and allow a second peak of coronavirus.
” Other Conservatives are opposed to the new powers given to ministers and police to enforce the lockdown and have civil liberties worries over plans for a contact tracing app .

Boris Johnson has resisted growing demands from senior Conservative MPs for an early relaxation of the United Kingdom’s stringent coronavirus lockdown.
His backbench critics argue that the restrictions threaten long-term damage to Britain’s economy as well as the health of people kept cooped up indoors for a lengthy period. Several Cabinet ministers are known privately to share their fears.
But Mr Johnson warned that easing up too soon would be the “worst thing we could do” and risk a second peak of the virus.
The Prime Minister is legally required to review the five-week lockdown on Thursday and will set out a plan on Sunday for how Britain can adjust to a “new normal” during the summer and autumn.
It is clear that Mr Johnson will not announce any major loosening of the rules this weekend despite pressure from business chiefs and Tory MPs to begin lifting the shutdown.
Smallest death increase
The number of deaths from coronavirus in UK rose by 288 to 28,734, the smallest increase since the end of March, reinforcing suggestions that the peak of the disease has passed.
However, England’s deputy chief medical officer, Jonathan Van-Tam, told the daily Downing Street press conference that only two of the five tests for easing the lockdown had so far been achieved.
Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, appeared to pre-empt the Prime Minister’s decision by indicating that the lockdown is set to continue for several weeks. She said the infection rate is still too high to allow “any meaningful change” to the restrictions on Thursday.
But Steve Baker, the former Brexit minister, said: “Millions of people in our country have been plunged into idleness at public expense and unemployment, facing financial and psychological hardship on a scale never seen before.
“Thousands of people have missed life-prolonging health appointments. Vulnerable people are isolated and domestic violence has soared. Soon will come the full economic impact on all our lives.”
He added: “This is absurd, dystopian and tyrannical. The sooner it is ended, the better.”
Civil liberties fears
The former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: “The public is adult enough to understand that this situation cannot continue indefinitely.”
But Mr Johnson said in a video message: “The worst thing that we could do now is ease up too soon and allow a second peak of coronavirus.”
Other Conservatives are opposed to the new powers given to ministers and police to enforce the lockdown and have civil liberties worries over plans for a contact tracing app.
Early guidance for businesses being prepared by the Government for easing restrictions include plans to end hot-desking and either place tape or paint on the ground to keep workers apart.


inews--2020-05-04--Coronavirus in the UK: Teachers could refuse to return to work if they think it is not safe as Gover

Coronavirus in the UK: Teachers could refuse to return to work if they think it is not safe as Government targets 1 June date for reopening schools

Coronavirus in the UK : Teachers could refuse to return to work if they think it is not safe as Government targets 1 June date for reopening schools Year 6 pupils are set to be the first group of children to return to school — but teachers want more information to show its safe Teachers could be advised they have the right not to attend work under health and safety legislation if they do not feel it is safe to return to school , i understands .
The UK Government could be considering reopening primary schools on 1 June ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are reopened without the profession being on board , then education unions will not be able to encourage teachers to stay at home because they could leave themselves open to accusations of backing illegal strikes .
However , it is understood that teachers could be reminded of Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 , which protects an employee ’ s right to withdraw from a workplace if they believe it is unsafe .
Geoff Barton , the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders , said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is underpinned by public health and scientific advice that the timing is right , and that there is clear guidance to schools and colleges on the measures which will need to be put in place to protect staff and pupils from the risk of infection .
It will be necessary to build confidence that it is safe to return to schools , because otherwise parents will vote with their feet , and they will not send their children to school .
`` For all these reasons , we would urge that any date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if more time is needed then the date is changed accordingly . ''
Schools could reopen in June as part of plans to ease the lockdown ( Photo : Christopher Furlong/Getty ) “ Schools aren ’ t built for social distancing , nor is our education system built for not having lots of contact with kids , ” she said .
“ There are massive questions around cleaning , around personal protective equipment , and around the science , and we haven ’ t had answers to those yet.
” “ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss of learning in this crucial year for pupils and support them as best we can in their move to secondary school , '' she said .
`` Leaving primary school is a really important milestone , and so the lovely benefit of having Year 6s back in school means that we can also properly celebrate their last weeks in primary before they take that exciting next step .
But of course , all of this must only be done if we can be confident of the safety of our children and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were the right pupils to prioritise for return .
“ Are we trying to achieve an important goodbye to primary ?
...
The vast majority of saying goodbye to primary doesn ’ t really involve social distancing , it involves lots of hugs , signing shirts , the production .
He added : “ It ’ s possibly not about year groups , it ’ s about characteristics and context and so for me , it ’ s more important that we ’ re getting [ back ] those children who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are in circumstances that are more challenging around their wellbeing .

Teachers could be advised they have the right not to attend work under health and safety legislation if they do not feel it is safe to return to school, i understands.
The Government is believed to be targeting 1 June to start the return to school in England. The decision is expected to be confirmed by Boris Johnson on Sunday.
Year 6 pupils are expected to be the first group of children to return to school, but some teachers and school leaders are sceptical about reopening classes on that date.
Ten and 11-year-old pupils in Year 6 of primary school are expected to be the first cohort going back, with secondary school students in Years 10 and 12 to follow.
School transition
If schools are reopened without the profession being on board, then education unions will not be able to encourage teachers to stay at home because they could leave themselves open to accusations of backing illegal strikes. However, it is understood that teachers could be reminded of Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, which protects an employee’s right to withdraw from a workplace if they believe it is unsafe.
Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The overriding concern is that any decision is underpinned by public health and scientific advice that the timing is right, and that there is clear guidance to schools and colleges on the measures which will need to be put in place to protect staff and pupils from the risk of infection. It will be necessary to build confidence that it is safe to return to schools, because otherwise parents will vote with their feet, and they will not send their children to school.
“For all these reasons, we would urge that any date is kept under review, and that if more time is needed then the date is changed accordingly.”
The NASUWT teaching union has said the Government needs to give “clarity about the purpose of reopening schools”, and schools need “much more detail and sufficient time to enable them to prepare”.
Mary Bousted, the joint general secretary of the National Education Union – the UK’s biggest teaching union – accused the Government of a lack of transparency in developing its plans.
“It would be really great if they could come clean with us about what their plans are,” she told i.
Dr Bousted said mixed messages on when and how schools will reopen had been “damaging and really unhelpful”, and “as a public relations strategy it seems to me to be wholly counterproductive.”
She said her union had repeatedly pressed the Government to share the latest scientific evidence about children’s role in spreading Covid-19, along with current thinking about how to mitigate the spread, to no avail.
“Schools aren’t built for social distancing, nor is our education system built for not having lots of contact with kids,” she said. “There are massive questions around cleaning, around personal protective equipment, and around the science, and we haven’t had answers to those yet.”
Dr Bousted said the NEU wanted schools to reopen but the union needed to know “what the risks are and what the mitigation of those risks are”.
‘Important milestone’
Cathie Paine, the deputy chief executive of Reach2, the largest primary school chain in England, told i that starting with Year 6 pupils made sense.
“It’s absolutely essential that we stem any loss of learning in this crucial year for pupils and support them as best we can in their move to secondary school,” she said. “Leaving primary school is a really important milestone, and so the lovely benefit of having Year 6s back in school means that we can also properly celebrate their last weeks in primary before they take that exciting next step. But of course, all of this must only be done if we can be confident of the safety of our children and our staff.”
Dan Morrow, the chief executive of the Woodland Academies Trust – which runs four primary schools in London and north Kent – told i that practising social distancing with Year 6 pupils would be “potentially easier” than younger years.
However, he questioned whether they were the right pupils to prioritise for return. “Are we trying to achieve an important goodbye to primary?… The vast majority of saying goodbye to primary doesn’t really involve social distancing, it involves lots of hugs, signing shirts, the production.
“The absolute glory of the end of Year 6 is somewhat smashed by the social distancing rules.”
He added: “It’s possibly not about year groups, it’s about characteristics and context and so for me, it’s more important that we’re getting [back] those children who have got speech and language delays, or who are in circumstances that are more challenging around their wellbeing.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: “Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has not set a date for schools reopening.
“Schools will remain closed, except for children of critical workers and vulnerable children, until the scientific advice indicates it is the right time to re-open and the five tests set out by Government to beat this virus have been met.”
“We are also working closely with the sector as we consider how to reopen schools, nurseries and colleges and will ensure everyone has sufficient notice to plan and prepare.”


inews--2020-05-04--Mosquitoes in Kenya carry a special microbe that could stop spread of malaria

Mosquitoes in Kenya carry a special microbe that could stop spread of malaria Mosquitoes carrying the microbe Microsporidia MB can not carry malaria — or pass it on to humans Scientists have discovered a microbe that blocks any transmission of malaria in a breakthrough that could unlock a way to eradicate the disease .
The microbe - named Microsporidia MB - lives in the stomach and genitals of mosquitoes .
It completely prevents mosquitoes from being infected with malaria or transmitting the disease to humans , according to the team at Kenya 's International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about five per cent of mosquitoes living around Lake Victoria in Kenya , where the research was conducted , but the scientists hope more microbe-carrying mosquitoes could be bred .
“ We were excited to find that the Microsporidia MB symbiont is transmitted from mother mosquitoes to their offspring , and that the microbe does not compromise the ability of mosquitoes to survive , ” explained Lilian Mbaisi , a Kenyan scholar involved in the study .
The scientists could infect male mosquitoes with the microbe , which would then pass it on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 40 per cent of a regional mosquito population is carrying the microbe , malaria infection rates should start to fall .
Fumigation and nets are the two main strategies for controlling malaria infection currently ( Photo : LUIS ACOSTA/AFP/Getty ) Although progress has been made in controlling and treating malaria in recent years , the disease is still responsible for the deaths of around 400,000 people a year .
Prevention methods are still crude , relying on spraying insecticide and distributing bed nets to affected areas .
Such measures are vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organisation warned deaths from the disease could double in Africa this year because of the disruption and travel restrictions wrought by Covid-19 .
Controlling the prevalence of malaria at the source could be a much more effective , and resilient , means of curbing infection rates .
More work is needed to understand how the infection spreads , but because the microbe is already circulating among mosquitoes in Kenya it should be straightforward to increase its prevalence .

Scientists have discovered a microbe that blocks any transmission of malaria in a breakthrough that could unlock a way to eradicate the disease.
The microbe – named Microsporidia MB – lives in the stomach and genitals of mosquitoes. It completely prevents mosquitoes from being infected with malaria or transmitting the disease to humans, according to the team at Kenya’s International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology.
Breeding malaria-free mosquitoes
The microbe is only carried by about five per cent of mosquitoes living around Lake Victoria in Kenya, where the research was conducted, but the scientists hope more microbe-carrying mosquitoes could be bred.
“We were excited to find that the Microsporidia MB symbiont is transmitted from mother mosquitoes to their offspring, and that the microbe does not compromise the ability of mosquitoes to survive,” explained Lilian Mbaisi, a Kenyan scholar involved in the study.
The scientists could infect male mosquitoes with the microbe, which would then pass it on to females and their offspring. Once at least 40 per cent of a regional mosquito population is carrying the microbe, malaria infection rates should start to fall.
Controlling infection
Although progress has been made in controlling and treating malaria in recent years, the disease is still responsible for the deaths of around 400,000 people a year .
Prevention methods are still crude, relying on spraying insecticide and distributing bed nets to affected areas. Such measures are vulnerable to disruption – last month the World Health Organisation warned deaths from the disease could double in Africa this year because of the disruption and travel restrictions wrought by Covid-19.
Controlling the prevalence of malaria at the source could be a much more effective, and resilient, means of curbing infection rates.
More work is needed to understand how the infection spreads, but because the microbe is already circulating among mosquitoes in Kenya it should be straightforward to increase its prevalence.
The microbe has “provides attractive prospects for malaria control,” the paper published in Nature Communications, concluded.


inews--2020-05-04--Coronavirus in the UK: University students react with anger as government rules out tuition fees reb

Coronavirus in the UK: University students react with anger as government rules out tuition fees rebate for online courses

Coronavirus in the UK : University students react with anger as government rules out tuition fees rebate for online courses The NUS said it was 'disappointing ' the Government had not included 'tuition fee debt write offs ' in its package for universities University students have reacted with anger to the news that they will have to pay full tuition fees this year despite the disruption to their courses caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
The universities minister , Michelle Donelan , confirmed that universities will continue to be able to charge students full tuition fees of £9,250 a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered online .
She said students would not be “ entitled to reimbursement if the quality is there '' , but added they could make complaints if they felt online teaching was inadequate .
The Government has agreed a financial support package for universities in England which includes allowing them to continue charging full fees ( Photo : Chris Radburn/PA Wire ) Sosienski Smith , vice president for higher education at the National Union of Students , said : “ Students are the heart of the higher education sector , and it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans for a bailout without tackling many of the urgent questions of tuition fee debt write offs and reimbursements.
” Ms Smith also criticised the fact that the package did not involve any new money for students experiencing financial distress , although the Government has given universities permission to dip into other funding pots to top up their hardship funds .
“ The Government needs to stop ignoring the plight of students who are our nurses , midwives , pharmacists and essential workers of the future , and give us all the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost , or have our debt and costs written off or reimbursed , ” she said .
Eve Alcock , the president of the University of Bath ’ s student union , told i that the Government was “ hugely underestimating ” the impact of Covid-19 on the higher education sector and its students .
“ We have students who are in serious financial hardship , students who are paying full fees for low quality online provision and students whose mental health and wellbeing is deteriorating further under the stress and anxiety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The absence of any central government funding for student hardship , and the no-compromise on fees shows just how out of touch the Government are with students ’ circumstances.
” The University and College Union said cutting tuition fees could only happen if the Government made up the difference with extra funding .
Jo Grady , the union 's general secretary , said : “ The market-driven approach hasn ’ t worked and there will be sympathy for students - forced to see themselves as consumers - not getting what they thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not simply cut off further funding for universities at this time , so any reduction would need to be made up by the Government .
The priority for the Government now must be a support package that underwrites lost income for universities and provides vital protection and guarantees for staff and students.
” In 2020-21 English universities will be able to admit full-time undergraduate UK and EU students up to a set level based on their forecasts for the next academic year , plus an extra 5 per cent .

University students have reacted with anger to the news that they will have to pay full tuition fees this year despite the disruption to their courses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
On Monday, the Government unveiled a financial support package to help English universities weather the Covid-19 crisis.
The universities minister, Michelle Donelan, confirmed that universities will continue to be able to charge students full tuition fees of £9,250 a year, even if all the teaching is delivered online.
She said students would not be “entitled to reimbursement if the quality is there”, but added they could make complaints if they felt online teaching was inadequate.
‘Disappointing’ package
A House of Commons petition calling on the Government to reimburse this year’s fees because of the coronavirus has attracted over 330,000 signatures.
Sosienski Smith, vice president for higher education at the National Union of Students, said: “Students are the heart of the higher education sector, and it is disappointing to see the government release their plans for a bailout without tackling many of the urgent questions of tuition fee debt write offs and reimbursements.”
Ms Smith also criticised the fact that the package did not involve any new money for students experiencing financial distress, although the Government has given universities permission to dip into other funding pots to top up their hardship funds.
“The Government needs to stop ignoring the plight of students who are our nurses, midwives, pharmacists and essential workers of the future, and give us all the opportunity to redo the year at no additional cost, or have our debt and costs written off or reimbursed,” she said.
Financial hardship
Eve Alcock, the president of the University of Bath’s student union, told i that the Government was “hugely underestimating” the impact of Covid-19 on the higher education sector and its students.
“We have students who are in serious financial hardship, students who are paying full fees for low quality online provision and students whose mental health and wellbeing is deteriorating further under the stress and anxiety of the pandemic,” she said.
“The absence of any central government funding for student hardship, and the no-compromise on fees shows just how out of touch the Government are with students’ circumstances.”
The University and College Union said cutting tuition fees could only happen if the Government made up the difference with extra funding. Jo Grady, the union’s general secretary, said: “The market-driven approach hasn’t worked and there will be sympathy for students – forced to see themselves as consumers – not getting what they thought they were paying for.
“You cannot simply cut off further funding for universities at this time, so any reduction would need to be made up by the Government. The priority for the Government now must be a support package that underwrites lost income for universities and provides vital protection and guarantees for staff and students.”
Student cap
To help universities manage their cashflow, the Government has brought forward £2.6bn of forecast tuition fee payments, along with £100m of research funding.
But the package comes with conditions, including a cap on the number of students which universities can recruit.
In 2020-21 English universities will be able to admit full-time undergraduate UK and EU students up to a set level based on their forecasts for the next academic year, plus an extra 5 per cent.
The idea of the cap is that it will stop a scramble for students which could cause less popular institutions to go bust.


inews--2020-05-04--Coronavirus latest: China and US snub Boris Johnson's international Covid-19 vaccine summit

Prime Minister warns no country can battle virus alone The US and China ignored Boris Johnson ’ s pleas for world leaders to pull together in a “ truly global effort ” to find a Covid-19 vaccine after they snubbed a major summit on the virus .
The Prime Minister said a mass-produced vaccine was the only way for the world to “ win the battle ” against the coronavirus , as he warned that no one country could do it alone .
“ The race to discover the vaccine to defeat this virus is not a competition between countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our lifetimes , ” Mr Johnson told an international conference co-hosted by the UK via video link .
“ It ’ s humanity against the virus.
” Despite his appeals , neither of the world ’ s two biggest superpowers were involved in the summit , raising significant doubts over the international community coming together to develop a vaccine .
Human trials have begun on a vaccine in China , the US and UK but relations have plunged between Beijing and Washington in recent weeks as a result of the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The truth is that none of us can succeed alone .
“ To win this battle , we must work together to build an impregnable shield around all our people , and that can only be achieved by developing and mass producing a vaccine.
” And he added : “ The more we pull together and share our expertise , the faster our scientists will succeed.
” The UK is the biggest donor to the efforts of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to find a vaccine , including £388m for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The UK continues to work closely with all our international partners including the US and China to stop the spread of the virus .
It 's a truly global effort and nobody will be able to do this alone , ” the PM ’ s spokesman said .
No 10 also said there were questions to be answered about the “ origin ” of the coronavirus pandemic , following claims by the US about China ’ s role in the spread of the virus .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that this came from that laboratory in Wuhan ” , the Chinese city at the centre of the initial outbreak .
But he added : “ Clearly there are questions that need to be answered about the origin and spread of the virus , not least so we can ensure we are better prepared for future global pandemics .
”

The US and China ignored Boris Johnson’s pleas for world leaders to pull together in a “truly global effort” to find a Covid-19 vaccine after they snubbed a major summit on the virus.
The Prime Minister said a mass-produced vaccine was the only way for the world to “win the battle” against the coronavirus, as he warned that no one country could do it alone.
“The race to discover the vaccine to defeat this virus is not a competition between countries, but the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes,” Mr Johnson told an international conference co-hosted by the UK via video link. “It’s humanity against the virus.”
No shows
Despite his appeals, neither of the world’s two biggest superpowers were involved in the summit, raising significant doubts over the international community coming together to develop a vaccine.
Human trials have begun on a vaccine in China, the US and UK but relations have plunged between Beijing and Washington in recent weeks as a result of the pandemic.
Mr Johnson said in his speech: “The truth is that none of us can succeed alone.
“To win this battle, we must work together to build an impregnable shield around all our people, and that can only be achieved by developing and mass producing a vaccine.”
And he added: “The more we pull together and share our expertise, the faster our scientists will succeed.”
The UK is the biggest donor to the efforts of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to find a vaccine, including £388m for the research and development of vaccines.
Downing Street dismissed concerns over both China’s and the US’s decision to snub the summit.
“The UK continues to work closely with all our international partners including the US and China to stop the spread of the virus. It’s a truly global effort and nobody will be able to do this alone,” the PM’s spokesman said.
Questions of origin
No 10 also said there were questions to be answered about the “origin” of the coronavirus pandemic, following claims by the US about China’s role in the spread of the virus.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said there is “a significant amount of evidence that this came from that laboratory in Wuhan”, the Chinese city at the centre of the initial outbreak.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I’m not going to comment on intelligence matters.”
But he added: “Clearly there are questions that need to be answered about the origin and spread of the virus, not least so we can ensure we are better prepared for future global pandemics.”


inews--2020-05-05--This Morning, Four in a Bed and no BBC before Pointless: the beginner's guide to daytime TV

This Morning , Four in a Bed and no BBC before Pointless : the beginner 's guide to daytime TV In lockdown , the joy and madness of daytime TV is impossible to resist .
Addict Sarah Carson guides newcomers through a day on her sofa I ’ m 60 quid down and it ’ s Andi Peters ’ fault .
Why ?
He told me to , from his garage .
He asked me if I wanted £95,000 in tax free cash and a Jaguar with 24-inch alloy wheels and yes , I do , so I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in with a chance to win this very special prize .
Yes - since you asked - I ’ m stuck in my house and watching daytime TV again .
For me , daytime TV is the great casualty of capitalism .
Being forced out of the house to earn a living precludes me from indulging this enduring obsession .
One positive of a pandemic restricting me to my sitting room , then , is that I no longer have to choose .
Oh , I might listen to the Today Programme and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss what ’ s going in tomorrow ’ s paper .
But in my head , I know that just beyond my webcam the real news is unfolding on the television screen .
Police are making music videos on TikTok !
SHOULD we be scared of planes ?
How CAN I make my own KFC ?
Do my editors know how many divorces are being filed during lockdown ?
And do they have any idea just how much cash is in the attic ?
As anyone who ’ s ever been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home , bored , bereaved , ill , on night shifts , pregnant , freshly delivered of a child or skiving , knows , there ’ s a hierarchy when it comes to daytime TV and I ’ m afraid to say the BBC ’ s pre-teatime output pales in comparison to its commercial rivals - ITV is the premium , it ’ s prestige .
The structure of a daytime TV day varies little .
You ’ ve most likely slept through Good Morning Britain and BBC Breakfast , but as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to catch the back end of Lorraine Kelly wearing a Holby City fleece and taking the clippers to her resigned husband ’ s head on the patio , you ’ re off to a flying start .
Do not take your foot off the pedal - if you stray over to the BBC at any point in the day before Pointless , momentum is lost - The Customer is Always Right is far too much a reminder of a world and a life beyond .
Today ’ s episode features a super absorbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his tea towel while cooking a breakfast muffin live on This Morning ( Photo : ITV/This Morning ) No - you ’ ve got to keep things live , and it goes without saying , but I will , This Morning , at 10.30am , is unmatched .
Where else can I watch a video about an orphaned squirrel ( more captive than rescued ) being stroked so hard by its new foster human that Phillip Schofield screams at her to stop and an anxiety helpline number flashes across the screen ?
Where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his kitchen on fire while making DIY McDonald ’ s ?
It ’ s undeniably a downgrade on Fridays when Eamonn and Ruth take over , but still worth tuning in as Britain can always count on Holmes to pose the big questions .
“ Has the birdsong always been there , or has it just come back ?
” he asks a doctor who has been brought on to talk about hayfever .
“ Do you know how to stop your fingers smelling fishy ?
” he asks Phil Vickery , hovering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guides us through at-home hair removal in isolation : “ Upper lip , chin , where do I begin ?
” “ Ruth , do you find waxing painful ?
” Holmes asks his wife .
Every day , This Morning proves deserving of its NTAs anew .
Then it ’ s onto Loose Women which - thank God - is back in a socially distanced studio after an unsettling run of repeats ( roaring crowd , grossly out-of-date discussion topics like “ Would you spy on your kids on holiday ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take care of you in old age ?
” , “ Could a Misteeq reunion be on the cards ?
” ) .
Loose Women connects its viewers with their fellow woman as we sit otherwise alone with the curtains drawn .
“ Rip off those nipple pads and run for the hills !
Is ‘ new mum advice ’ a help or a hindrance ?
” That ’ s the next hour sorted .
Then the mid afternoon lull , when the live broadcasts stop and choices must be made .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , desperation and doubt creep in .
Why am I sitting alone in the day watching adverts for Injury Lawyers 4 U ( currently irrelevant ) , Donkey Sanctuary ( “ terrible things are happening to donkeys ” - and humans right now , TBH ) , and Tena ( “ a little bit of wee ’ s not going to stop me ” ) ?
Should I start volunteering ?
Am I the only one on earth still alive ?
Are there other , more valuable things I could be doing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about your job ? )
Your next moves say much about you as a person .
Bargain Hunt , Dickinson ’ s Real Deal , Flog It !
- you hoard coupons and regularly hand-write letters of complaint to supermarkets .
Escape to the Country , Escape to the Chateau , Sun , Sea and Selling Houses , A Place in the Sun - you ’ re the only family in your Milton Keynes cul-de-sac who ’ s given your house a name .
Judge Rinder , Judge Judy , old Trisha Goddard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you thought the Jeremy Kyle cancellation was blown out of proportion .
Would suggest you read a book .
Whatever you do : do not put on Doctors .
To watch a sub-par drama while the sun still hangs in the sky is to admit defeat and spoil the delights of the evening .
All you need is a quick bump to tide you over til the gameshows get going .
Cable is a risk - Barefoot Contessa repeats on Food Network are a joy but too big a reminder of the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revisiting old Frasier episodes is entertaining , but the 90s are a past both familiarly close yet unreachably far , the effect is disconcerting .
There are always three programmes on at once about Nazi vehicles .
Avoid : an obsession with scale models of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 surely follows .
No - More4 is your saviour and the home of the single greatest competition on British television - Four in a Bed .
Four B & B owners spend a week visiting each other ’ s establishments and use feedback forms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money , and thus worthy of a plaque .
“ You allow customers to smoke in your rooms ?
” “ The scenery could have been better but it ’ s Great Yarmouth , it ’ s good to see - once in your life.
” “ There were vestiges of dog in the rooms !
” ( response : “ I could have missed a few dog hairs .
They could have been my pubic hairs for all I know ” ) .
It is television ’ s closest study of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hysterically funny .
Once Tipping Point starts at 4pm you ’ re on the home straight - Come Dine with Me , The Chase , and the sweet release of nightfall .

I’m 60 quid down and it’s Andi Peters’ fault. Why? He told me to, from his garage. He asked me if I wanted £95,000 in tax free cash and a Jaguar with 24-inch alloy wheels and yes, I do, so I’ve been texting ITV every day to be in with a chance to win this very special prize. Yes – since you asked – I’m stuck in my house and watching daytime TV again.
For me, daytime TV is the great casualty of capitalism. Being forced out of the house to earn a living precludes me from indulging this enduring obsession. One positive of a pandemic restricting me to my sitting room, then, is that I no longer have to choose. Oh, I might listen to the Today programme and sit in our editorial conference every morning to discuss what’s going in tomorrow’s paper. But in my head, I know that just beyond my webcam the real news is unfolding on the television screen. Police are making music videos on TikTok! SHOULD we be scared of planes? How CAN I make my own KFC? Do my editors know how many divorces are being filed during lockdown? And do they have any idea just how much cash is in the attic?
As anyone who’s ever been a student, unemployed, freelance, working from home, bored, bereaved, ill, on night shifts, pregnant, freshly delivered of a child or skiving, knows, there’s a hierarchy when it comes to daytime TV and I’m afraid to say the BBC’s pre-teatime output pales in comparison to its commercial rivals – ITV is the premium, it’s prestige.
The structure of a daytime TV day varies little. You’ve most likely slept through Good Morning Britain and BBC Breakfast, but as long as you crawl downstairs in time to catch the back end of Lorraine Kelly wearing a Holby City fleece and taking the clippers to her resigned husband’s head on the patio, you’re off to a flying start. Do not take your foot off the pedal – if you stray over to the BBC at any point in the day before Pointless, momentum is lost – there’s no going back from The Customer is Always Right. Today’s episode features a super absorbent sponge.
No – you’ve got to keep things live, and it goes without saying, but I will, This Morning, at 10am, is unmatched. Where else can I watch a video about an orphaned squirrel (more captive than rescued) being stroked so hard by its new foster human that Phillip Schofield screams at her to stop and an anxiety helpline number flashes across the screen? Where else can I watch John Torode set his kitchen on fire while making DIY McDonald’s? It’s undeniably a downgrade on Fridays when Eamonn and Ruth take over, but still worth tuning in as Britain can always count on Holmes to pose the big questions. “Has the birdsong always been there, or has it just come back?” he asks a doctor who has been brought on to talk about hayfever. “Do you know how to stop your fingers smelling fishy?” he asks Phil Vickery, hovering over his barbecue. A beauty specialist guides us through at-home hair removal in isolation: “Upper lip, chin, where do I begin?” “Ruth, do you find waxing painful?” Holmes asks his wife. Every day, This Morning proves deserving of its NTAs anew.
Then it’s onto Loose Women which – thank God – is back in a socially distanced studio after an unsettling run of repeats (roaring crowd, grossly out-of-date discussion topics like “Would you spy on your kids on holiday?”, “Do you worry who will take care of you in old age?”, “Could a Misteeq reunion be on the cards?”). Loose Women connects its viewers with their fellow woman as we sit otherwise alone with the curtains drawn. “Rip off those nipple pads and run for the hills! Is ‘new mum advice’ a help or a hindrance?” That’s the next hour sorted.
Read More Loose Women at 20: insult to feminism or women’s safe space? If only men were encouraged to have conversations this honest
Then the mid afternoon lull, when the live broadcasts stop and choices must be made. It is always the point at which fear, desperation and doubt creep in. Why am I sitting silent in the middle of the day watching adverts for Injury Lawyers 4 U (currently irrelevant), Donkey Sanctuary (“terrible things are happening to donkeys” – humans really more my priority at the moment, TBH), and Tena (“a little bit of wee’s not going to stop me”)? Should I start volunteering? Am I the only one on earth still alive? Are there other, more valuable things I could be doing with my time? (Editor: what about your job?)
Your next move is more revelatory than might feel comfortable. Bargain Hunt, Dickinson’s Real Deal, Flog It! – you hoard coupons and regularly hand-write letters of complaint to supermarkets. Escape to the Country, Escape to the Chateau, Sun, Sea and Selling Houses, A Place in the Sun – you’re the only family in your Milton Keynes cul-de-sac who’s given your south-facing semi a name. Judge Rinder, Judge Judy, old Trisha Goddard, Maury, and Jerry Springer – you thought the Jeremy Kyle cancellation was blown out of proportion. Would suggest you pick up a book.
Whatever you do: do not put on Doctors. To watch a sub-par drama while the sun still hangs high in the sky is to admit defeat and spoil the delights of the evening. All you need is a quick bump to tide you over til the gameshows get going. Cable is a risk – Barefoot Contessa repeats on Food Network are a joy, but too great a reminder of the very concept of productivity, of nourishment. Revisiting old Frasier episodes is entertaining, but the 90s are a past both familiarly close yet unreachably far, the effect is disconcerting. There are always three programmes on at once about Nazi vehicles. Avoid: an obsession with scale models of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 surely follows.
No – More4 is your saviour and the home of the single greatest competition on British television – Four in a Bed. Four B&B owners spend a week visiting each other’s establishments and use feedback forms to determine whose is best value for money, and thus worthy of a plaque. “You allow customers to smoke in your rooms?” “The scenery could have been better but it’s Great Yarmouth, it’s good to see – once in your life.” “There were vestiges of dog in the rooms!” (Response: “I could have missed a few dog hairs. They could have been my pubic hairs for all I know”). It is television’s most meticulous study of the British class system and, crucially, hysterically funny. Once Tipping Point starts at 4pm you’re on the home straight – Come Dine with Me, The Chase, and the sweet release of nightfall.


inews--2020-05-05--Marks and Spencer food delivery: full list of UK stores offering home delivery with Deliveroo - and

Marks and Spencer food delivery: full list of UK stores offering home delivery with Deliveroo - and how to order

Marks and Spencer food delivery : full list of UK stores offering home delivery with Deliveroo - and how to order Tasks like going to the supermarket to buy groceries has become trickier as life under lockdown continues for residents across the UK This is what you need to know about ordering from M & S via Deliveroo ( Photo : Shutterstock ) Most major supermarkets offer home delivery , however these delivery slots are booked fast - even if you do manage to bag a home delivery , you could be left waiting weeks for your order .
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
“ In order to play our part in feeding the nation , we have partnered with Deliveroo to provide our customers a same-day delivery service of essential productions , ” M & S explained in a statement .
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to keep the UK in lockdown , the chain decided to partner with Deliveroo instead to bring forward its delivery service by four months .
What items am I allowed to order ?
The M & S store on the app even states : “ We ’ re bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to your front door .
From champagne to coffee , tasty snacks to all your essentials , There is a maximum of two products per individual items , and there is limited stock availability , so you might not be able to buy some of the more popular items .
The app says : “ This store is experiencing a high demand right now , so some items may be unavailable and your order could be rejected .
“ We ’ re here to deliver whatever we can , but if you aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need , please check back later.
” You ’ re also able to buy alcohol , like beer , wine , cider and even some spirits .
You ’ ll be expected to show ID upon delivery if you buy any of these restricted items .
How do I order from M & S ?
Ordering groceries from M & S via Deliveroo is the same process as ordering any other food from the app .
Deliveroo offers contact-free delivery , so your order will be left at your front door to collect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track your rider ’ s progress on the app as they make their way to you .
There is also a small order fee in place on the M & S store on Deliveroo which you will be subject to if your order is less than £15 .
For example , if you only wanted to buy a loaf of bread for £1.35 , the small order fee would cost £13.65 , to bring the total cost of your order to £15 , not including the delivery and service cost .

Most major supermarkets offer home delivery, however these delivery slots are booked fast – even if you do manage to bag a home delivery, you could be left waiting weeks for your order.
M&S has partnered with food delivery service Deliveroo to try and make things easier for shoppers, offering same day deliveries for groceries.
Here’s what you should know, and how to order.
Why have M&S partnered with Deliveroo?
M&S have partnered with food delivery company Deliveroo to deliver their groceries to shoppers across the UK.
“In order to play our part in feeding the nation, we have partnered with Deliveroo to provide our customers a same-day delivery service of essential productions,” M&S explained in a statement.
M&S had plans to partner with Ocado to deliver groceries, with an initial launch date of September 2020.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to keep the UK in lockdown, the chain decided to partner with Deliveroo instead to bring forward its delivery service by four months.
What items am I allowed to order?
You’re allowed to order a variety of items from the M&S store on Deliveroo.
The M&S store on the app even states: “We’re bringing all your M&S favourites right to your front door. From champagne to coffee, tasty snacks to all your essentials,
“We’ve got everything you need, whenever you need it.”
There is a maximum of two products per individual items, and there is limited stock availability, so you might not be able to buy some of the more popular items.
The app says: “This store is experiencing a high demand right now, so some items may be unavailable and your order could be rejected.
“We’re here to deliver whatever we can, but if you aren’t able to get what you need, please check back later.”
You’re also able to buy alcohol, like beer, wine, cider and even some spirits. You’ll be expected to show ID upon delivery if you buy any of these restricted items.
How do I order from M&S?
Ordering groceries from M&S via Deliveroo is the same process as ordering any other food from the app.
If you’ve never used Deliveroo before, this is how to order:
Download the Deliveroo app onto your smartphone, or visit the Deliveroo website instead
Enter in your postcode and you’ll be able to see all of the restaurants and stores that are available for delivery
Search for M&S and in the search bar and tap on the store
From here, you’ll be able to browse through all the items available, adding them to your basket as you please
When you’re finished shopping, tap on the ‘checkout’ option to review your order before purchasing
Deliveroo offers contact-free delivery, so your order will be left at your front door to collect. You’ll be able to track your rider’s progress on the app as they make their way to you.
The delivery fee is £4.50, with an additional service fee of 49p.
There is also a small order fee in place on the M&S store on Deliveroo which you will be subject to if your order is less than £15.
For example, if you only wanted to buy a loaf of bread for £1.35, the small order fee would cost £13.65, to bring the total cost of your order to £15, not including the delivery and service cost.
The full list of participating stores
The M&S website states: “If you live within the catchment area of one of the 100+ BP M&S stores offering delivery, you will be able to get everything from milk and bread to pizza and wine straight to your doorstep.”
This is the full list of stores offering delivery:


inews--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: UK death toll passes 32,000 to become highest yet reported in Europe

Coronavirus : UK death toll passes 32,000 to become highest yet reported in Europe ONS figures reveal 32,313 deaths had taken place by April 27 - far worse than the 29,029 in Italy , although the latter 's figures may grow The Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) said 29,648 deaths had taken place by April 27 in England and Wales with Covid-19 mentioned in death certificates .
Deaths in Scotland and Northern Ireland takes the UK ’ s death toll to 32,313 - far exceeding the death toll of 29,029 in Italy which had been until now Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks experts had said the UK had been two weeks behind Italy , the first European country to enter lockdown , in terms of the death toll of the coronavirus outbreak , but experts have warned against international comparisons , saying the figure for excess mortality – the number of deaths from all causes that exceed the average for the time of year – is a more meaningful gauge .
Italy ’ s coronavirus death toll is actually much higher than reported , statistics bureau ISTAT said on Monday in an analysis pointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been officially attributed to Covid-19 .
Nor does Italy ’ s total include suspected Covid-19 cases , which the ONS does include in its data .
England 's deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said comparing death rates between countries is complex because of the different ways data is collected .
She told the Health and Social Care Committee : `` We will have to wait quite some time I think , until the end of this pandemic to do robust comparisons , and even then it will be extremely difficult .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have increased by more than 2,500 in the space of a week , according to the ONS .
There were 5,890 coronavirus-related care home deaths registered up to April 24 in England and Wales , up from just over 3,000 the week before , the ONS said .
Of deaths involving coronavirus up to that point , 19,643 ( 71.8 per cent ) took place in hospitals and 7,713 were elsewhere .
Of these 5,890 took place in care homes , 1,306 took place in private homes , 301 took place in hospices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishments and 111 occurred elsewhere .
There were 2,794 care home deaths linked to Covid-19 and registered in the week ending April 24 , up from 2,050 during the previous seven days - an increase of 36 per cent .
The ONS said the numbers are based on where Covid-19 is mentioned anywhere on the death certificate , including in combination with other health conditions .
The number of registered deaths involving Covid-19 occurring in hospitals fell from 6,107 in the week ending April 17 to 4,841 in the week ending April 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It comes as separate data showed care homes notified the Care Quality Commission ( CQC ) of 6,391 deaths of residents in homes between April 10 and May 1 .
In response to the new ONS data Fiona Carragher , Alzheimer 's Society director of research and influencing said : “ It ’ s heart-breaking to hear just how many more people in care homes across the country have lost their lives to Covid-19 .
Alzheimer ’ s Society is devastated for the family , friends and carers they leave behind .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have risen over 30 per cent in the last week .
“ [ Some ] 70 per cent of care home residents and three fifths of people using home care have dementia .
The Government has listened to our calls to publish daily data on deaths in care homes and the community and these figures are helping us to understand the scale of the crisis in the neglected care sector .
Unfortunately many care homes still have not received the testing and protective equipment promised by the Government .
This need to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The loss of a loved one to coronavirus is even more distressing for family and friends when they are denied the chance to say goodbye in a meaningful way .
This could have a long term and profound effect on those grieving.
” Overall , deaths from all causes registered in England and Wales fell for the first time since March 20 , the ONS figures also showed .
In the week ending April 24 , there were 21,997 deaths , down by 354 from the previous week .
Of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioned `` novel coronavirus ( Covid-19 ) '' .
Nick Stripe , head of health analysis at the ONS , said it was `` reassuring '' to see the overall number of deaths has slightly dropped .
But he cautioned that the number of excess deaths in the week ending April 24 is still the second highest since records began in 1993 .
Over the last five weeks where data has been recorded , he calculated there have been around 42,000 deaths above average in the UK .
He told the BBC : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the timing of these death registrations .
So , these are largely deaths that were taking place up to around the 20th , 21st of April .
That 's about four to five weeks after the lockdown was first advised , and then instructed , so if you think about the timeline of the disease it 's often about three to four weeks from becoming infected to , sadly , death .

The UK coronavirus death toll has risen above 32,000 to overtake Italy and become the highest in Europe, according to new official figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 29,648 deaths had taken place by April 27 in England and Wales with Covid-19 mentioned in death certificates. Deaths in Scotland and Northern Ireland takes the UK’s death toll to 32,313 – far exceeding the death toll of 29,029 in Italy which had been until now Europe’s worst-hit country.
For several weeks experts had said the UK had been two weeks behind Italy, the first European country to enter lockdown, in terms of the death toll of the coronavirus outbreak, but experts have warned against international comparisons, saying the figure for excess mortality – the number of deaths from all causes that exceed the average for the time of year – is a more meaningful gauge.
Italy’s coronavirus death toll is much higher than reported, statistics bureau ISTAT said on Monday in an analysis pointing to thousands of fatalities that have never been officially attributed to Covid-19. Nor does Italy’s total include suspected Covid-19 cases, which the ONS does include in its data.
However, the same is true of the UK. Modelling by the Times, comparing daily Covid-19 hospital deaths to how many “excess deaths” have happened since the start of the outbreak, estimates that 55,700 people have died in the UK because of the outbreak. The model takes all excess death figures from UK statistics agencies.
England’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said comparing death rates between countries is complex because of the different ways data is collected. She told the Health and Social Care Committee: “We will have to wait quite some time I think, until the end of this pandemic to do robust comparisons, and even then it will be extremely difficult.”
Care home deaths
Care home deaths linked to coronavirus have increased by more than 2,500 in the space of a week, according to the ONS. There were 5,890 coronavirus-related care home deaths registered up to April 24 in England and Wales, up from just over 3,000 the week before, the ONS said.
Of deaths involving coronavirus up to that point, 19,643 (71.8 per cent) took place in hospitals and 7,713 were elsewhere. Of these 5,890 took place in care homes, 1,306 took place in private homes, 301 took place in hospices, 105 took place in other communal establishments and 111 occurred elsewhere.
There were 2,794 care home deaths linked to Covid-19 and registered in the week ending April 24, up from 2,050 during the previous seven days – an increase of 36 per cent. The ONS said the numbers are based on where Covid-19 is mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, including in combination with other health conditions.
The number of registered deaths involving Covid-19 occurring in hospitals fell from 6,107 in the week ending April 17 to 4,841 in the week ending April 24 – a fall of 21 per cent. It comes as separate data showed care homes notified the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of 6,391 deaths of residents in homes between April 10 and May 1.
‘Heart-breaking’ figures
In response to the new ONS data Fiona Carragher, Alzheimer’s Society director of research and influencing said: “It’s heart-breaking to hear just how many more people in care homes across the country have lost their lives to Covid-19. Alzheimer’s Society is devastated for the family, friends and carers they leave behind. We are appalled that care home deaths have risen over 30 per cent in the last week.
“[Some] 70 per cent of care home residents and three fifths of people using home care have dementia. The Government has listened to our calls to publish daily data on deaths in care homes and the community and these figures are helping us to understand the scale of the crisis in the neglected care sector. Unfortunately many care homes still have not received the testing and protective equipment promised by the Government. This need to be urgently addressed before more lives are lost.
“The loss of a loved one to coronavirus is even more distressing for family and friends when they are denied the chance to say goodbye in a meaningful way. This could have a long term and profound effect on those grieving.”
In total, the ONS figures show 8,828 deaths involving coronavirus outside hospital that occurred up to April 24 and which were registered by May 2.
All causes fall
Overall, deaths from all causes registered in England and Wales fell for the first time since March 20, the ONS figures also showed. In the week ending April 24, there were 21,997 deaths, down by 354 from the previous week. Of these, 37.4 per cent (8,237) mentioned “novel coronavirus (Covid-19)”.
This is 11,539 more deaths than the five-year average of 10,458 and just over 70 per cent of these excess deaths (8,237) involved Covid-19.
Nick Stripe, head of health analysis at the ONS, said it was “reassuring” to see the overall number of deaths has slightly dropped. But he cautioned that the number of excess deaths in the week ending April 24 is still the second highest since records began in 1993. Over the last five weeks where data has been recorded, he calculated there have been around 42,000 deaths above average in the UK.
He told the BBC: “It’s perhaps useful to think about the timing of these death registrations. So, these are largely deaths that were taking place up to around the 20th, 21st of April. That’s about four to five weeks after the lockdown was first advised, and then instructed, so if you think about the timeline of the disease it’s often about three to four weeks from becoming infected to, sadly, death.
“We would kind of expect to see that impact of the lockdown now, so it’s reassuring to see that the number of deaths have slightly dropped from that very high peak.”
Professor James Naismith, Director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute and University of Oxford, said: “We are now well past the peak number of deaths in hospital. The deaths in hospital represent the majority of the deaths from Covid-19 and thus the overall number of daily deaths has peaked.
“There are so called ‘excess’ deaths this year compared to last year, that are not identified as Covid-19. We urgently need to identify the cause of these deaths. There are many plausible theories as to their cause, however, we need real data on this urgently.”


inews--2020-05-05--Normal People ending explained: what the ambiguous finale of the BBC series means - and how it diffe

Normal People ending explained: what the ambiguous finale of the BBC series means - and how it differs from Sally Rooney's book

Normal People ending explained : what the ambiguous finale of the BBC series means - and how it differs from Sally Rooney 's book While most fans are desperate for Marianne and Connell to end up together , the real ending - as in life - is not that easy ...
It follows the love story of Marianne ( Daisy Edgar-Jones ) and Connell ( Paul Mescal ) , a young couple who are forced to overcome a series of obstacles in order to be together , including mental health needs and pressure from friends .
And while most fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end up together , the real ending - as in life - is not that easy ... Marianne and Connell have got back together , and look to finally be able to settle into a long-term relationship , when the carpet gets whipped from under their feet .
Connell is offered a place on a creative writing course in New York , which would mean leaving Marianne behind in Dublin for a year .
Connell and Marianne have to overcome many obstacles ( Photo : BBC ) He is deliberating over whether to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him towards it , not wanting to be the reason why he does not pursue his dreams .
She knows that this might mean Connell ends up living in New York full time , which would likely mean the end of any potential relationship .
Connell eventually decides to uproot his life and move , making the emotional decision while say with Marianne on the bedroom floor .
What does this mean for their future ?
It is left open ended .
The pair do not close the chapter on their love story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long distance .
How does it compare to Rooney 's book ?
The series stays mostly loyal to the book 's ending .
In Rooney 's novel Connell becomes editor of the literary magazine at Trinity College after publishing a short story .
This leads to him being offered a place on a Master 's degree as the prestigious Cornell University in New York .
The book ends without the reader knowing what Connell decides , leaving it up to the imagination whether he decides to chase his dream in New York or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while it does not necessarily give the satisfactory ending some crave , both the book and series have been praised for their more complex and realistic takes on life .

Normal People has become the latest lockdown TV sensation, with people rushing to binge all 12 episodes of the BBC Three show, based on Sally Rooney’s bestselling novel.
It follows the love story of Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell (Paul Mescal), a young couple who are forced to overcome a series of obstacles in order to be together, including mental health needs and pressure from friends.
And while most fans are desperate for Marianne and Connell to end up together, the real ending – as in life – is not that easy…
How the Normal People TV series ends
Marianne and Connell have got back together, and look to finally be able to settle into a long-term relationship, when the carpet gets whipped from under their feet.
Connell is offered a place on a creative writing course in New York, which would mean leaving Marianne behind in Dublin for a year.
He is deliberating over whether to take the offer, and Marianne pushes him towards it, not wanting to be the reason why he does not pursue his dreams.
She knows that this might mean Connell ends up living in New York full time, which would likely mean the end of any potential relationship.
Connell eventually decides to uproot his life and move, making the emotional decision while sat with Marianne on the bedroom floor.
What does this mean for their future? It is left open ended. The pair do not close the chapter on their love story, nor do they commit to continuing long distance.
How does it compare to Rooney’s book?
The series stays mostly loyal to the book’s ending. In Rooney’s novel Connell becomes editor of the literary magazine at Trinity College after publishing a short story.
This leads to him being offered a place on a Master’s degree as the prestigious Cornell University in New York.
The book ends without the reader knowing what Connell decides, leaving it up to the imagination whether he decides to chase his dream in New York or remain in Ireland with Marianne.
Rooney has no plans for a follow-up novel, and intended the story to remain open ended.
And while it does not necessarily give the satisfactory ending some crave, both the book and series have been praised for their more complex and realistic takes on life.