theweekuk--2020-10-05--Why Covid cases soared by 23,000 in a day amid track-and-trace data chaos

The total number of coronavirus cases recorded in the UK jumped by almost 23,000 on Sunday as a result of a glitch in the NHS Track-and-Trace app .
A technical issue with the app resulted in thousands of cases initially reported over the previous week being left out of the reported daily coronavirus figures , according to Public Health England ( PHE ) .
The government confirmed today that the figures reported over the weekend had been “ artificially high for England and the UK ” - an admission that has fuelled widespread criticism of what Labour shadow health secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” track-and-trace system .
What are the most recent figures ?
PHE says that between 25 September and 2 October , around 15,841 new infections reported to the app were omitted from the official tally of daily coronavirus cases .
After these cases were added to the official figures , the daily total for the UK rose by a record 12,872 on Saturday , followed by an even bigger spike of 22,961 on Sunday .
By contrast , on Friday the total stood at 6,968 positive cases , which was on a par @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
A further 33 deaths - the recording of which were not impacted by the technical issue - were also confirmed on Monday .
The surge in recorded new cases takes the total for the UK to more than 500,000 , according to latest figures .
The technical issue was caused by the names of people reporting positive test results exceeding the maximum file size of the Microsoft Excel sheet in which they were recorded .
This prevented new names being added by an automated process .
PHE says the files have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent the error from being repeated .
But health officials are still struggling to correct the faulty data caused by the fault , which “ also means that daily totals reported on the UK government ’ s coronavirus dashboard over the last week have been lower than the true number ” , The National .
For example , 4,786 cases that should have been reported on 2 October were not included in the total for that day , when the figure was given as 6,968 .
Boris Johnson admitted this morning that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was lost ” , but added that health authorities had “ contacted all the people who were identified as having the disease ” and “ are now working through all the contacts as well ” .
“ The key thing , I would say , and it goes for everybody , is that if you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace then you must self-isolate , if you are told you have been in contact with somebody who has the virus , ” Johnson told reporters .
The glitch has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government modellers to accurately predict future outbreaks .
The reporting delays “ play havoc with data streams and make them very difficult to analyse in real time ” , tweeted Professor Graham Medley , an outbreak modeller at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) .
“ If the delays change or vary by group then they can distort a lot .
Wonder what these will do to the R [ value ] estimates next week , ” Medley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jonathan Read , a biostatistician at Lancaster University who sits on the Sage outbreak modelling subgroup .
Speaking to The Guardian , Read said : “ An apparent surge in cases due to a change in reporting delays , unless accounted for , will look like the epidemic is growing and so the reproduction number could be overestimated .
”

The total number of coronavirus cases recorded in the UK jumped by almost 23,000 on Sunday as a result of a glitch in the NHS Track-and-Trace app.
A technical issue with the app resulted in thousands of cases initially reported over the previous week being left out of the reported daily coronavirus figures, according to Public Health England (PHE).
The government confirmed today that the figures reported over the weekend had been “artificially high for England and the UK” - an admission that has fuelled widespread criticism of what Labour shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth described as the “shambolic” track-and-trace system.
What are the most recent figures?
PHE says that between 25 September and 2 October, around 15,841 new infections reported to the app were omitted from the official tally of daily coronavirus cases. After these cases were added to the official figures, the daily total for the UK rose by a record 12,872 on Saturday, followed by an even bigger spike of 22,961 on Sunday.
By contrast, on Friday the total stood at 6,968 positive cases, which was on a par with the levels reported previously in the week.
A further 33 deaths - the recording of which were not impacted by the technical issue - were also confirmed on Monday.
The surge in recorded new cases takes the total for the UK to more than 500,000, according to latest figures.
What went wrong?
The technical issue was caused by the names of people reporting positive test results exceeding the maximum file size of the Microsoft Excel sheet in which they were recorded. This prevented new names being added by an automated process.
PHE says the files have now been split into smaller batches to prevent the error from being repeated.
But health officials are still struggling to correct the faulty data caused by the fault, which “also means that daily totals reported on the UK government’s coronavirus dashboard over the last week have been lower than the true number”, The National.
For example, 4,786 cases that should have been reported on 2 October were not included in the total for that day, when the figure was given as 6,968.
Boris Johnson admitted this morning that “some of the data got truncated and it was lost”, but added that health authorities had “contacted all the people who were identified as having the disease” and “are now working through all the contacts as well”.
“The key thing, I would say, and it goes for everybody, is that if you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace then you must self-isolate, if you are told you have been in contact with somebody who has the virus,” Johnson told reporters.
The glitch has also further thrown into doubt the ability of government modellers to accurately predict future outbreaks.
The reporting delays “play havoc with data streams and make them very difficult to analyse in real time”, tweeted Professor Graham Medley, an outbreak modeller at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage).
“If the delays change or vary by group then they can distort a lot. Wonder what these will do to the R [value] estimates next week,” Medley added.
Those concerns were echoed by Jonathan Read, a biostatistician at Lancaster University who sits on the Sage outbreak modelling subgroup.
Speaking to The Guardian, Read said: “An apparent surge in cases due to a change in reporting delays, unless accounted for, will look like the epidemic is growing and so the reproduction number could be overestimated.”


theweekuk--2020-10-06--Instant Opinion: the ‘unsinkable Boris Johnson’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
“ Pundits continually predict that the laws of political gravity will kick in for Johnson , that this is the time he has finally been found out .
And so , here we are again .
As Johnson geared up for the annual Conservative Party conference—his second as Conservative leader and prime minister—the rumor mill began to churn anew : Johnson is on the wane , we hear ; the jokes just aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time it really is different , his critics contend—forget Brexit , or the proroguing of Parliament , or all that has come before .
Johnson ’ s handling of the pandemic has exposed his failings in a way that nothing else quite has .
Britain ’ s COVID-19 death count is just too high .
Johnson himself felt obliged to address these concerns in his set-piece conference speech today , dismissing as ‘ nonsense ’ speculation that his hospitalization with the disease had robbed him of his mojo and insisted that weaknesses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had revealed long-term problems in the health of the country , rather than his government.
” on the battle over coronanomics Capitalism , not socialism is the only thing that can fix this mess “ The battle between free markets and socialism that played out in the election last year felt like the battle of a generation .
As important as it felt then , we could have never predicted just how important it would be , mere months later , to have politicians who believe in the power of markets and enterprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do so : it must start putting these beliefs into actions.
” 3 .
Alexander Fitzgerald and Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis in City AM on broadband for the masses Internet is an essential — so why is it still taxed as a luxury ?
“ The broadband tax hits the country ’ s lowest income households , with hard pressed families spending three times as much of their disposable income on broadband compared to richer families in London .
It also exacerbates the regional disparity which the Conservatives promised to address in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ households in the north spend 3.6 % of disposable income on broadband , three times that of the average London household , at 1.2 % .
Fixing this injustice should have been a priority before Covid-19 struck .
Now , it is an imperative .
The pandemic has accelerated the UK ’ s shift to a digital-first economy .
Workplaces , healthcare services , businesses , and families have never been so reliant on the internet for everyday essential services , not to mention receiving the vast amount of health information and guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the internet Online harassment of girls has become normalised “ Harassment is not just a problem in and of itself , but a barrier to girls ’ leadership and participation in modern life .
Harmful gender norms have long pervaded every corner of our societies , undermining girls ’ confidence , leadership potential and bodily autonomy .
Girls are already driven from public spaces by street harassment and shut out of decision-making spaces by social norms that tell us they are not leaders .
Online violence reinforces these norms in violent and explicit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us online abuse lowers self-esteem and 38 % say it creates significant mental and emotional stress .
18 % say it can cause problems at school .
We can not allow this to continue in the online spaces once predicted to be a great equaliser.
” on the legacy of a mascot Goodbye for now , Gunnersaurus , your departure is a lesson and a warning to us all “ The joy of Gunnersaurus , and the reason his demise was mourned beyond N5 , is his idiosyncrasy .
Why is he a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s no obvious connection to Arsenal .
At other British clubs , mascots tend to the cutesy , with a tenuous and/or lame punning connection to the club .
Who can forget Manchester City ’ s bizarre Moonchester and Moonbeam , aliens from the planet Blue Moon ?
Or West Ham ’ s ‘ Hammerhead ’ , a kind of robot hooligan .
Spurs have a large bird called ‘ Chirpy Cock ’ , which sounds about right .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Tom McTague in The Atlantic
on a teflon PM
The Unsinkable Boris Johnson
“Pundits continually predict that the laws of political gravity will kick in for Johnson, that this is the time he has finally been found out. And so, here we are again. As Johnson geared up for the annual Conservative Party conference—his second as Conservative leader and prime minister—the rumor mill began to churn anew: Johnson is on the wane, we hear; the jokes just aren’t funny anymore, they say. This time it really is different, his critics contend—forget Brexit, or the proroguing of Parliament, or all that has come before. Johnson’s handling of the pandemic has exposed his failings in a way that nothing else quite has. Britain’s COVID-19 death count is just too high. Johnson himself felt obliged to address these concerns in his set-piece conference speech today, dismissing as ‘nonsense’ speculation that his hospitalization with the disease had robbed him of his mojo and insisted that weaknesses in Britain’s response to the pandemic had revealed long-term problems in the health of the country, rather than his government.”
2. Kate Andrews in The Telegraph
on the battle over coronanomics
Capitalism, not socialism is the only thing that can fix this mess
“The battle between free markets and socialism that played out in the election last year felt like the battle of a generation. As important as it felt then, we could have never predicted just how important it would be, mere months later, to have politicians who believe in the power of markets and enterprise leading the way. Britain is lucky to do so: it must start putting these beliefs into actions.”
3. Alexander Fitzgerald and Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis in City AM
on broadband for the masses
Internet is an essential — so why is it still taxed as a luxury?
“The broadband tax hits the country’s lowest income households, with hard pressed families spending three times as much of their disposable income on broadband compared to richer families in London. It also exacerbates the regional disparity which the Conservatives promised to address in their manifesto last year: the poorest households in the north spend 3.6% of disposable income on broadband, three times that of the average London household, at 1.2%. Fixing this injustice should have been a priority before Covid-19 struck. Now, it is an imperative. The pandemic has accelerated the UK’s shift to a digital-first economy. Workplaces, healthcare services, businesses, and families have never been so reliant on the internet for everyday essential services, not to mention receiving the vast amount of health information and guidance from the government.”
4. Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, CEO of Plan International, in Al Jazeera
on troubles on the internet
Online harassment of girls has become normalised
“Harassment is not just a problem in and of itself, but a barrier to girls’ leadership and participation in modern life. Harmful gender norms have long pervaded every corner of our societies, undermining girls’ confidence, leadership potential and bodily autonomy. Girls are already driven from public spaces by street harassment and shut out of decision-making spaces by social norms that tell us they are not leaders. Online violence reinforces these norms in violent and explicit ways. 39% of girls told us online abuse lowers self-esteem and 38% say it creates significant mental and emotional stress. 18% say it can cause problems at school. We cannot allow this to continue in the online spaces once predicted to be a great equaliser.”
5. Ed Cumming in The Independent
on the legacy of a mascot
Goodbye for now, Gunnersaurus, your departure is a lesson and a warning to us all
“The joy of Gunnersaurus, and the reason his demise was mourned beyond N5, is his idiosyncrasy. Why is he a dinosaur? Why is he green? There’s no obvious connection to Arsenal. At other British clubs, mascots tend to the cutesy, with a tenuous and/or lame punning connection to the club. Who can forget Manchester City’s bizarre Moonchester and Moonbeam, aliens from the planet Blue Moon? Or West Ham’s ‘Hammerhead’, a kind of robot hooligan. Spurs have a large bird called ‘Chirpy Cock’, which sounds about right.”


theweekuk--2020-10-06--Five things we learned from the Conservatives’ first virtual party conference

Following months of criticism over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic , Boris Johnson has used the Conservative ’ s first virtual party conference to show that he has not lost his “ mojo ” .
Delivering his closing speech to the four-day event , Johnson this morning outlined a string of planned reforms for the UK economy , which he insisted was “ in pretty good shape ” but has some “ chronic underlying problems ” .
After the party ’ s resounding victory in last year ’ s general election , the conference was “ supposed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead often resembled a “ rather lonely Zoom-based wake ” amid growing concerns about rising coronavirus cases , says The Independent .
But such gloom aside , what did we learn from the event ?
In a speech “ light on policy but heavy on vision ” , the prime minister pledged to “ use the coronavirus crisis as a catalyst for change ” , The Guardian reports .
Pointing to Winston Churchill ’ s Second World War coalition government as a model , Johnson described how they “ sketched out a vision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to build ” .
“ That is what we ’ re doing now , in the teeth of this pandemic , ” he added .
Laying out his goals , the PM said he wants to turn “ generation rent into generation buy ” by introducing long -term , fixed-rate mortgages of up to 95 % of the value of a home for first-time purchasers .
Johnson also pledged that offshore wind would power every UK home in ten years , in what The Telegraph describes as an “ optimistic and forward-looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the future ” .
Rounding off his keynote address , Johnson offered a message of hope , saying that “ it seems tough now ... but I believe it is a measure of the greatness of this country that we will not let it hold us back or slow us down .
“ Even in the darkest moments we can see a bright future ahead.
” One of the most talked about moments of the conference has stoked speculation that the future may be very different to that outlined by Johnson .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ hard choices ” would need to be made to pay down the debt incurred during the pandemic , and made a George Osborne-style commitment to honour the government ’ s “ sacred responsibility ” to balance the books .
“ We will protect the public finances , ” Sunak said .
“ If instead we argue there is no limit on what we can spend , that we can simply borrow our way out of any hole , what is the point in us ?
” Although some commentators believe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts , rumours in Westminster suggest that he may opt instead for tax increases in order to avoid alienating the party ’ s new “ red wall ” voters .
However , economists have warned that both approaches - cutting spending or raising taxes to tackle record debt levels - “ would be counterproductive , because it would risk choking off Britain ’ s economic recovery , and would damage future income for the Exchequer ” , says The Guardian ’ s economics correspondent Richard Partington .
Home Secretary Priti Patel used her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tactics of some Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion protestors , says The Telegraph .
Criticising the “ hooliganism and thuggery ” seen on the UK ’ s streets , Patel said there was “ no excuse ” for violent behaviour from protesters , adding that police had the “ backing of the government , backing of our party , our government and our prime minister ” in their efforts to tackle the demonstrations .
“ This government will always defend the right to protest , ” she told the conference on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundamental pillar of our democracy , but the hooliganism and thuggery we have seen is not - it is indefensible .
“ There is no excuse for pelting flares at brave police officers , for throwing bikes at police horses , for disrespecting the Cenotaph or vandalising the statue of Sir Winston Churchill , one of the greatest protectors of our freedoms who has ever lived.
” Health Secretary Matt Hancock used the conference stage on Sunday to reveal government plans to tackle misinformation online about vaccines .
“ Sadly , there a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active case against vaccines , ” said Hancock , who is currently under fire over a track-and-track glitch that saw the number of reported new Covid cases soar by almost 23,000 on Sunday .
“ We have got a programme of work under way to get the counter narrative out there to explain the importance and safety of vaccines.
” Having touted their virtual conference platform as a technological solution to problems posed by social distancing , the Tories got off to a bumpy start as viewers reported that the website crashed during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Viewers who had paid to register for the conference “ posted screenshots on social media of error messages received as they logged in to watch the ‘ fireside chat ’ between Mr Gove and West Midlands mayor Andy Street ” , Metro reports .
But the glitch “ seemed to be sorted out within around half an hour , with viewers able to access the conference to catch the end of Mr Gove ’ s appearance ” , The Independent adds .

Following months of criticism over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Boris Johnson has used the Conservative’s first virtual party conference to show that he has not lost his “mojo”.
Delivering his closing speech to the four-day event, Johnson this morning outlined a string of planned reforms for the UK economy, which he insisted was “in pretty good shape” but has some “chronic underlying problems”.
After the party’s resounding victory in last year’s general election, the conference was “supposed to be a champagne-soaked victory rally”, yet instead often resembled a “rather lonely Zoom-based wake” amid growing concerns about rising coronavirus cases, says The Independent.
But such gloom aside, what did we learn from the event?
Johnson’s fighting talk
In a speech “light on policy but heavy on vision”, the prime minister pledged to “use the coronavirus crisis as a catalyst for change”, The Guardian reports.
Pointing to Winston Churchill’s Second World War coalition government as a model, Johnson described how they “sketched out a vision of the post-war new Jerusalem that they wanted to build”.
“That is what we’re doing now, in the teeth of this pandemic,” he added.
Laying out his goals, the PM said he wants to turn “generation rent into generation buy” by introducing long-term, fixed-rate mortgages of up to 95% of the value of a home for first-time purchasers.
Johnson also pledged that offshore wind would power every UK home in ten years, in what The Telegraph describes as an “optimistic and forward-looking speech that ended with a utopian vision of the future”.
Rounding off his keynote address, Johnson offered a message of hope, saying that “it seems tough now... but I believe it is a measure of the greatness of this country that we will not let it hold us back or slow us down.
“Even in the darkest moments we can see a bright future ahead.”
A return to austerity?
One of the most talked about moments of the conference has stoked speculation that the future may be very different to that outlined by Johnson.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak told delegates on Monday that “hard choices” would need to be made to pay down the debt incurred during the pandemic, and made a George Osborne-style commitment to honour the government’s “sacred responsibility” to balance the books.


theweekuk--2020-10-06--Why everybody’s talking about Donald Trump’s ‘triumphalist’ White House return

Stepping out onto the White House lawn from a helicopter before tearing off his face mask and telling Americans “ to get out there ” and not fear Covid-19 - Donald Trump the showman was out of hospital and back on the world stage last night .
Ascending the South Portico staircase , the “ contagious ” US leader stopped in front of an illuminated entrance and “ brazenly removed his mask ” in a “ triumphalist ” homecoming three days after being flown to Maryland ’ s Walter Reed military hospital for treatment for coronavirus , The Guardian reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between The Apprentice and Apocalypse Now , says Politico London Playbook ’ s Alex Wickham - and “ set the tone ” for the rest of the presidential election campaign .
Arriving at the White House , Trump waved , gave two thumbs up and saluted as Marine One lifted off from the South Lawn .
Having discarded his mask , he then walked inside where staff were visible , before later re-emerging “ for what appeared to be a film shoot ” , The Guardian reports .
Video footage of the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , and swayed on the spot while watching the helicopter leave the lawn , adds the newspaper .
But the president maintained his defiant stance about the virus , which has killed more than 210,000 Americans , according to latest figures .
In a video subsequently shared on his Twitter account , he said : “ Don ’ t let it dominate you .
Don ’ t be afraid of it .
You ’ re gon na beat it .
We have the best medical equipment .
We have the best medicines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has openly questioned public health guidelines , added : “ Nobody that ’ s a leader would not do what I did .
And I know there ’ s a risk , there ’ s a danger , but that ’ s OK. “ And now I ’ m better and maybe I ’ m immune – I don ’ t know !
But don ’ t let it dominate your lives .
Get out there .
Be careful.
” The film was a return to “ campaign mode ” , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The New York Times notes , the president ’ s “ regret-nothing approach ” shows that he does not intend to “ pivot in his handling of the pandemic despite his own medical crisis and the growing number of infections among his inner circle ” .
On the campaign trail Health officials had hoped that Trump would be “ chastened ” by his personal coronavirus battle and those of his White House staff , says The New York Times says .
Whispers had circulated that the experience might even lead him to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing masks and social distancing were essential to protecting themselves and their loved ones ” , the paper continues .
But judging by his first full public appearance since being admitted to hospital last Friday , most commentators believe the US leader has been emboldened by his partial recovery .
Despite still being infectious , Trump has continued “ downplaying the virus ” , says The Washington Post .
In a tweet shortly before leaving hospital , he wrote : “ Don ’ t be afraid of Covid .
Don ’ t let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I feel better than I did 20 years ago !
” The president ’ s messaging has been condemned by scientists .
The nation ’ s leading infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci , a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force , has warned that Trump could suffer a “ reversal ” in his progress .
“ I ’ m not involved in his primary care , ” Fauci told CNN .
“ But the issue is that he ’ s still early enough in the disease that it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the clinical course of people sometimes , when you ’ re five to eight days in , you can have a reversal.
” Harald Schmidt , an assistant professor of health policy at the University of Pennsylvania , told The Washington Post that he was “ struggling for words ” following the president ’ s “ utterly irresponsible ” performance after returning to the White House .
But with mask wearing and adherence to social distancing firmly established as political issues in the run-up to the November election , Trump is signalling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ cavalier attitude to the virus ” , The Guardian reports .
With Trump out of the hospital , Joe Biden was free to begin attacking the president again , after suspending negative campaigning last week .
Wasting no time , the Democratic candidate led the criticism of the president ’ s theatrical White House homecoming , describing the removal of his mask as needlessly “ macho ” .
“ Anybody who contracts the virus by essentially saying , ‘ masks don ’ t matter , social distancing doesn ’ t matter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happens to them , ” Biden said .
“ What is this macho thing , ‘ I 'm not going to wear a mask ?
’ What ’ s the deal here ?
Big deal , does it hurt you ?
Be patriotic for god ’ s sake .
Take care of yourself , but take care of your neighbours , ” he added .
Trump ’ s team received another blow to their election hopes during the incumbent ’ s hospitalisation , with a NBC/Wall Street Journal survey giving Biden a 53 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with FiveThirtyEight polling also showing that the majority of Americans are unhappy with the response to the pandemic , the “ transformation of the White House into a vector of a deadly pathogen ” will do little to calm Team Trump ’ s nerves , The Washington Post says .

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theweekuk--2020-10-06--Rebel Tories plotting with Labour to end 10pm nationwide curfew

Boris Johnson may be forced to call time on his 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants amid reports that dozens of rebel Tories are planning to vote against the measure .
The insurgents “ have been emboldened ” by Chancellor Rishi Sunak ’ s public comments questioning the move , and by Labour ’ s refusal to commit to supporting the curfew until it has seen the scientific evidence behind the decision , according to The Telegraph .
An unnamed Conservative MP told the newspaper that “ if it transpires that Labour is going to oppose it then I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who would be inclined to vote against it ” .
Speculation is reportedly growing in Westminister that government whips may pull the curfew vote in order to allow more time to work on “ bringing the rebels to heel ” .
Coronavirus lockdown measures must be approved by MPs within weeks of coming into force .
In keeping with this rule , two key votes on lockdown restrictions in England are set to take place in the next two days .
The Commons will vote this evening on the “ rule of six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 September .
And on Wednesday , the chamber is due to vote on the 10pm curfew , which came into force on 24 September .
The “ rule of six ” is expected to pass easily , but the passage of the curfew is looking far less certain .
A total of 43 Tory MPs would need vote with Labour against the measure in order to overturn the government ’ s 85 working majority .
Senior Tory MP Desmond Swayne has described the curfew as “ a huge mistake ” , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell the time .
It is just absurd to impose this across the country.
” Fellow Tory MP Graham Brady , who is also expected to rebel , told BBC Radio 4 ’ s Westminster Hour yesterday that patience with local lockdowns was starting to “ wear thin ” .
His comments echo those of Sunak , who told The Sun last week that “ everyone is very frustrated and exhausted and tired about all of this ” .
The rebel Tory MPs are meeting today to discuss the curfew vote as Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative Party conference .
Backbench Conservatives have previously accused the prime minister of presiding over an “ utter shitshow ” in the UK ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic , warning that Downing Street needs to “ get a grip ” of its restriction policies and messaging .

Boris Johnson may be forced to call time on his 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants amid reports that dozens of rebel Tories are planning to vote against the measure.
The insurgents “have been emboldened” by Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s public comments questioning the move, and by Labour’s refusal to commit to supporting the curfew until it has seen the scientific evidence behind the decision, according to The Telegraph.
An unnamed Conservative MP told the newspaper that “if it transpires that Labour is going to oppose it then I would think there would be enough of us who would be inclined to vote against it”.
Speculation is reportedly growing in Westminister that government whips may pull the curfew vote in order to allow more time to work on “bringing the rebels to heel”.
Coronavirus lockdown measures must be approved by MPs within weeks of coming into force. In keeping with this rule, two key votes on lockdown restrictions in England are set to take place in the next two days.
The Commons will vote this evening on the “rule of six”, which was applied nationally on 14 September. And on Wednesday, the chamber is due to vote on the 10pm curfew, which came into force on 24 September.
The “rule of six” is expected to pass easily, but the passage of the curfew is looking far less certain. A total of 43 Tory MPs would need vote with Labour against the measure in order to overturn the government’s 85 working majority.
Senior Tory MP Desmond Swayne has described the curfew as “a huge mistake”, adding: “The virus can’t tell the time. It is just absurd to impose this across the country.”
Fellow Tory MP Graham Brady, who is also expected to rebel, told BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour yesterday that patience with local lockdowns was starting to “wear thin”.
His comments echo those of Sunak, who told The Sun last week that “everyone is very frustrated and exhausted and tired about all of this”.
The rebel Tory MPs are meeting today to discuss the curfew vote as Johnson delivers his closing speech at the virtual Conservative Party conference.
Backbench Conservatives have previously accused the prime minister of presiding over an “utter shitshow” in the UK’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, warning that Downing Street needs to “get a grip” of its restriction policies and messaging.


theweekuk--2020-10-06--Covid ‘circuit breaker’: how Scotland is tackling rise in cases

The Scottish government is reportedly considering a two-week “ circuit breaker ” lockdown for the entire country in an attempt to curb a sudden uptick in Covid-19 infections .
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to hold meetings with key advisers , cabinet ministers and senior figures in the UK government over the next 24 hours to discuss the response to the outbreaks .
But the possibility of a fresh lockdown has already triggered concern among business leaders .
Tim Allan , president of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce , has warned that Sturgeon “ simply can not continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on and off ” .
How many new cases has Scotland reported ?
The Scottish authorities reported 697 new cases of coronavirus on Monday - which equates to 12.8 % of all the people newly tested .
The country has also seen a “ sharp increase ” in the number of Covid patients requiring hospital treatment in recent weeks , with 218 currently in hospital and 22 in intensive care , the BBC reports .
The number of coronavirus infections among people aged between 75 and 84 is now the highest since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And Sturgeon admitted last week that Scotland ’ s R number could be as high as 1.7 - exceeding that in England , which stands at between 1.2 and 1.6 .
Where are the hotspots ?
The outbreaks in Scotland are largely concentrated in major cities , government figures show .
Glasgow City has been worst hit , with 1,224 positive cases ( 193.3 per 100,000 people ) over the past week , followed by the City of Edinburgh , with 750 cases ( 142.9 per 100,000 people ) .
The two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland ’ s new cases between 27 September and 3 October .
“ At the bottom of the scale ” are the islands of Shetland and Orkney , both of which reported zero cases , says The Scotsman .
Sturgeon and other Scottish ministers and advisers reportedly began floating the prospect of a circuit breaker two weeks ago , but MSPs have “ not been invited to debate nor scrutinise plans ” , The Times reports .
Business leaders have warned that any new lockdown would cost jobs and take the economy “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , following her decision last week to implement a ban on visiting other people ’ s homes and a 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants , Sturgeon told reporters that a lockdown could mean a “ number of things ” .
The public and Holyrood would be given “ as much notice as possible ” over any new restrictions , she added .
Meanwhile , the country ’ s national clinical director , Professor Jason Leitch , said that further restrictions were being “ seriously considered ” , but that they would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March .
“ The idea is that a two-week , roughly , circuit-breaker , would buy you 28 days , ” he told BBC Scotland ’ s Seven Days programme .
“ You don ’ t know that for sure , because it ’ s not an exact science , but it would buy you about a month in the pandemic.
” Leitch stressed that no decision had been taken .
However , a Scottish government source told the Daily Mail that the NHS has been briefed that a new lockdown could come @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Scottish government is reportedly considering a two-week “circuit breaker” lockdown for the entire country in an attempt to curb a sudden uptick in Covid-19 infections.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to hold meetings with key advisers, cabinet ministers and senior figures in the UK government over the next 24 hours to discuss the response to the outbreaks.
But the possibility of a fresh lockdown has already triggered concern among business leaders. Tim Allan, president of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, has warned that Sturgeon “simply cannot continue to keep switching the lights of the economy on and off”.
How many new cases has Scotland reported?
The Scottish authorities reported 697 new cases of coronavirus on Monday - which equates to 12.8% of all the people newly tested. The country has also seen a “sharp increase” in the number of Covid patients requiring hospital treatment in recent weeks, with 218 currently in hospital and 22 in intensive care, the BBC reports.
The number of coronavirus infections among people aged between 75 and 84 is now the highest since the middle of May, officials figures show. And Sturgeon admitted last week that Scotland’s R number could be as high as 1.7 - exceeding that in England, which stands at between 1.2 and 1.6.
Where are the hotspots?
The outbreaks in Scotland are largely concentrated in major cities, government figures show.
Glasgow City has been worst hit, with 1,224 positive cases (193.3 per 100,000 people) over the past week, followed by the City of Edinburgh, with 750 cases (142.9 per 100,000 people). The two cities alone make up 43% of Scotland’s new cases between 27 September and 3 October.
“At the bottom of the scale” are the islands of Shetland and Orkney, both of which reported zero cases, says The Scotsman.
Emergency measures
Sturgeon and other Scottish ministers and advisers reportedly began floating the prospect of a circuit breaker two weeks ago, but MSPs have “not been invited to debate nor scrutinise plans”, The Times reports.
Business leaders have warned that any new lockdown would cost jobs and take the economy “back to square one”.
However, following her decision last week to implement a ban on visiting other people’s homes and a 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants, Sturgeon told reporters that a lockdown could mean a “number of things”.
The public and Holyrood would be given “as much notice as possible” over any new restrictions, she added.
Meanwhile, the country’s national clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch, said that further restrictions were being “seriously considered”, but that they would not be as extreme as those implemented in March.
“The idea is that a two-week, roughly, circuit-breaker, would buy you 28 days,” he told BBC Scotland’s Seven Days programme. “You don’t know that for sure, because it’s not an exact science, but it would buy you about a month in the pandemic.”
Leitch stressed that no decision had been taken. However, a Scottish government source told the Daily Mail that the NHS has been briefed that a new lockdown could come into effect at 7pm on Friday.


theweekuk--2020-10-06--Explained: which drugs has Donald Trump been prescribed and why?

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theweekuk--2020-10-06--Face masks may not protect against coronavirus in rain, say WHO and PHE


theweekuk--2020-10-06--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 6 Oct 2020

At least 14 million tonnes of plastic , each piece less than 5mm wide , are sitting at the bottom @ @ @ @ @ oceans , scientists has discovered .
Following analysis of ocean sediments from as deep as @ @ @ @ @ The Guardian that finding microplastic in such a remote location and at such depths “ @ @ @ @ @ plastics , no matter where you are in the world ” .

Study finds 14m tonnes of plastic at bottom of oceans
At least 14 million tonnes of plastic, each piece less than 5mm wide, are sitting at the bottom of the world’s oceans, scientists has discovered. Following analysis of ocean sediments from as deep as 3km, a researcher told The Guardian that finding microplastic in such a remote location and at such depths “points to the ubiquity of plastics, no matter where you are in the world”.


theweekuk--2020-10-06--‘Donald Trump survived Covid’ coins go on sale

Coins commemorating Donald Trump “ surviving Covid-19 ” are available for pre-order at the White House Gift Shop .
The designer says the coins “ include more than a hint of superhero qualities in history ’ s most fascinating president ” .
Trump yesterday made a dramatic return to the White House to continue his treatment for coronavirus after a three-night hospital stay .
A man and two geese walk into a pub ... A man in Leeds has taken to visiting his local pub alongside two pet geese wearing nappies .
Sven Kirby adopted his birds , Norbert and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the trips to his local , Kirby said : “ When we went to the pub Norbert and Beep Beep just stood by my side as I drunk a pint , it was good fun and everyone there loved it.
” An Italian man has broken his own Guinness World Record for most ice cream scoops balanced on a cone .
Dimitri Panciera originally set the record in 2013 , when he balanced 85 scoops of ice cream on a single cone .
After American Ashrita Furman set a new record with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot , managing 125 scoops .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Coins commemorating Donald Trump “surviving Covid-19” are available for pre-order at the White House Gift Shop. The designer says the coins “include more than a hint of superhero qualities in history’s most fascinating president”. Trump yesterday made a dramatic return to the White House to continue his treatment for coronavirus after a three-night hospital stay.
A man and two geese walk into a pub...
A man in Leeds has taken to visiting his local pub alongside two pet geese wearing nappies. Sven Kirby adopted his birds, Norbert and Beep Beep, during lockdown. Speaking of the trips to his local, Kirby said: “When we went to the pub Norbert and Beep Beep just stood by my side as I drunk a pint, it was good fun and everyone there loved it.”
Man recaptures his ice cream scoop record
An Italian man has broken his own Guinness World Record for most ice cream scoops balanced on a cone. Dimitri Panciera originally set the record in 2013, when he balanced 85 scoops of ice cream on a single cone. After American Ashrita Furman set a new record with 123 scoops, Panciera reclaimed the top spot, managing 125 scoops.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-10-05--Best Netflix shows of 2020

Best Netflix shows of 2020

It ’ s been quite the year for Netflix .
With its back catalogue of smash-hit series , films and documentaries , the streaming service has welcomed millions of new customers in 2020 .
During lockdown 12 million house-bound Brits signed up for a new subscription streaming service and Netflix , distributors of hit shows such as The Money Heist ( pictured ) , took top spot with a 45 % share of the market , according to Ofcom ’ s Media Nations 2020 report .
Split into different categories such as action , comedy , drama and horror , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stream on Netflix in 2020 .
Video of The Umbrella Academy | Official Trailer [ HD ] | Netflix This sci-fi hit charts the exploits of seven siblings , all with superpowers , reunited by the death of their adoptive father .
Back with a “ bigger , brighter ” second series released this year , the “ flawless ” show “ doesn ’ t put a foot wrong ” according to NME .
The Letter to The King An “ eerily well timed ” offer of an alternative reality , says The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follows the quest of teen squire Tiuri , a messenger tasked with securing the safe passage of a titular letter , set against a host of “ impressively sweeping backdrops ” .
Devised by Alex Pina , this action series - called La Casa de Papel in Spanish - has become Netflix ’ s “ biggest global hit ” , The Guardian ’ s Ellen Jones reports .
It ’ s had such an impact that the heist gang ’ s Salvador Dali masks have already been used in a real-life robbery in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests around the world .
As Alvaro Morte , one of the stars of the series , says : “ Once you see the first chapter of the show , you are lost in it.
” Best TV crime dramas to watch in 2020 A spin-off of the much-revered Children ’ s Hospital , The Medical Police is a well-crafted parody of classic medical and crime dramas .
Everything from the camera angles to the narrative structure is “ impressively executed ” , says the LA Times , and makes for an enthralling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rarity nowadays , and Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz ’ s special makes a strong case for this to change .
Writing in The Guardian , comedian Rachel Parris said : “ These two guys are amazing together .
You can tell when two improvisers have been working together for donkey ’ s years , because they ’ re just so good at riffing off each other.
” It ’ s been around since 2015 , but the latest series of Schitt ’ s Creek broke the record for most Emmys awarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , and has perhaps “ the most impressive cast of any comedy on television ” according to The Guardian ’ s Stuart Heritage .
Video of The Rain | Official Trailer [ HD ] | Netflix Now on its third series , The Rain is set in a post-apocalyptic future where a virus spread by rainfall wipes out almost the entire population of Denmark and wider Scandinavia .
Interestingly , the film represents “ one of Netflix ’ s most successful non-English series to date ” , according to the streaming service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events , the drama focuses on four individuals ’ experiences at an Australian immigration detention centre , where they are all either detained or working .
Put together with a “ sure hand ” that ensures it can be seen “ avoiding all the common traps ” , The Guardian says this series does well to not “ become about one man ’ s guilt , but interrogates a system that relies on complicity , blind eyes and a lack of political will to change it ” .
Written and produced by Downton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is full of “ strong performances ” and most importantly , says RadioTimes , has its “ roots in sport ” but “ won ’ t alienate anyone who is not a season ticket holder ” .
In this ten-part sci-fi drama series , Hilary Swank stars as the ship commander leading the first manned mission to Mars .
Although not blessed with the biggest budget , The Daily Telegraph says the film “ majors in soul and melancholy , big musical moments and formulaic bonding ” , which keeps the audience interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flight | Official Trailer | Netflix A combination of old news footage , archive material and interviews with those who worked on the 1968 Challenger mission that ended in terrible disaster , this docuseries “ commemorates a tragedy with grace ” , Variety says .
An “ awe-inspiring ” documentary that charts the progress of a cheerleading team at a small junior college in Texas .
The focus and dedication of the students is admirable , and the series ’ refreshing focus on “ the graft , not the glamour ” makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Guardian ’ s Lucy Mangan .
Pandemic : How to Prevent an Outbreak Coincidentally released on Netflix back in January – and filmed in 2019 before the first cases of Covid-19 were reported – this series explains exactly how a viral outbreak makes its way around the global population .
While it failed to register at the time of release , the chance to “ chillingly see scientists discuss the theory that the world ‘ was due ’ a new virus ” means the heavily-searched TV show does not disappoint , The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of police interest after his son died in a drug-related shooting , pharmacist Dan Schneider put together his own investigation to find out what happened .
His efforts slowly morph into a “ rapidly expanding narrative of medical , corporate and law-enforcement corruption ” as America ’ s opioid crisis takes centre stage backed up by a “ truly great documentary protagonist ” , The Guardian says .
Originally produced by the BBC and now available to stream on Netflix , Steven Moffat ’ s “ dazzling ” take on Bram Stoker ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , allusive and often hideous ” according to The Times .
This is a fete that only could have been achieved by a creator “ steeped up to their neck in vampire lore ” .
The Guardian says at first glance this is an “ optimised Netflix megamix ” .
It ’ s a story about three children ’ s brush with the supernatural after their father ’ s death .
Most importantly , as well as an excellent score and production design , there are enough “ disconcerting and oddball moments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Set in Amsterdam , Ares is a short horror series involving a medical student who gets inducted into a secret society .
It is “ worth sticking with until the end ” , says Forbes ’ Paul Tassi .
With only eight episodes - none of which stray over the half an hour mark - this “ complex ” Dutch language series will take an evening to finish and is “ interesting enough to not overstay its welcome ” .
Another foreign language investment , director Sho Miyake ’ s “ artful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horror is “ unusually , mostly restrained , ” says Benjamin Lee in The Guardian .
However , Miyake ’ s avoidance of horror movie tropes is “ admirable ” and the “ effectively staged gore will leave its mark ” .
Nurse Mildred Ratched , played by the “ brilliantly menacing ” Sarah Paulson , arrives at a mental asylum whilst trying to find work and discovers some unsettling experiments taking place .
The Guardian says American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy ’ s trademark style can be seen everywhere .
Ratched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but rigorously worked out underneath ” .
An ice age makes the world ’ s surface uninhabitable , so a few thousand of the last humans board a train bound to traverse the Earth indefinitely in order to avoid freezing .
With carriages divided into a strict class system , an uprising is never far away .
Described as a “ thrillingly mad futuristic creation ” by The Daily Telegraph , the “ main joy of both the film and the TV series is exploring each vividly realised carriage , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they go ” .
An adaption of a Harlan Coben novel directed by Danny Brocklehurst , The Stranger is “ macabre and gruesome – but it ’ s also funny ” says The Independent .
Starring Jennifer Saunders , the plot centres around a woman – called The Stranger – who finds out secrets and threatens to reveal them unless you pay up .
Another BBC original , The Fall is “ wowing audiences all over again ” with its arrival on Netflix , RadioTimes reports .
Originally on air between 2013 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Northern Ireland stars Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan .

It’s been quite the year for streaming service Netflix. With a back catalogue of smash-hit series, films and documentaries, it has welcomed millions of new customers in 2020.
During lockdown 12 million house-bound Brits signed up for a new subscription streaming service and Netflix, distributors of hit shows such as The Crown (pictured) and The Money Heist, took top spot with a 45% share of the market, according to Ofcom’s Media Nations 2020 report.
Split into different categories such as drama, action, comedy and horror, we pick out the best shows to stream on Netflix in 2020.
Drama
The Crown
It opens with the shooting of a stag that spends the next three episodes “limping” in agony across our screens – and that’s not the most “explosively nasty” thing in the fourth season of The Crown, said Camilla Long in The Sunday Times. Covering 1979 to 1990, it is the best series yet, rescued from the “sentimentality and bad acting” of the third by two new characters – Princess Diana (Emma Corrin) and Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson). Through their stories, we see the “femily” in a far-from-flattering light – cold-hearted and casually cruel. It may be largely fiction, but it makes for “electrifying” TV. Diana is portrayed as the real victim, seen early on as a “nervous teenager” humiliated by a “monstrous” Princess Margaret for failing a test of etiquette, said Carol Midgley in The Times. Corrin is superb, and Peter Morgan’s dialogue for Diana and Charles (Josh O’Connor) is “nuanced and heartfelt”. Thatcher is convincingly “humanised” by Anderson, said Anita Singh in The Daily Telegraph. She, too, is belittled by these “raging snobs”, and moves from deference to open scorn in her meetings with the Queen – delicious scenes that provide light relief in this “riveting soap”.
The Rain
Now on its third series, The Rain is set in a post-apocalyptic future where a virus spread by rainfall wipes out almost the entire population of Denmark and wider Scandinavia. Interestingly, the film represents “one of Netflix’s most successful non-English series to date”, according to the streaming service.
Stateless
A six-part series based on true events, the drama focuses on four individuals’ experiences at an Australian immigration detention centre, where they are all either detained or working. Put together with a “sure hand” that ensures it can be seen “avoiding all the common traps”, The Guardian says this series does well to not “become about one man’s guilt, but interrogates a system that relies on complicity, blind eyes and a lack of political will to change it”.
The English Game
Written and produced by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, this drama is full of “strong performances” and most importantly, says RadioTimes, has its “roots in sport” but “won’t alienate anyone who is not a season ticket holder”.
Away
In this ten-part sci-fi drama series, Hilary Swank stars as the ship commander leading the first manned mission to Mars. Although not blessed with the biggest budget, The Daily Telegraph says the film “majors in soul and melancholy, big musical moments and formulaic bonding”, which keeps the audience interested.
Action and adventure
The Umbrella Academy
This sci-fi hit charts the exploits of seven siblings, all with superpowers, reunited by the death of their adoptive father. Back with a “bigger, brighter” second series released this year, the “flawless” show “doesn’t put a foot wrong” according to NME.
The Letter to The King
An “eerily well timed” offer of an alternative reality, says The Guardian, The Letter to The King follows the quest of teen squire Tiuri, a messenger tasked with securing the safe passage of a titular letter, set against a host of “impressively sweeping backdrops”.
The Money Heist
Devised by Alex Pina, this action series - called La Casa de Papel in Spanish - has become Netflix’s “biggest global hit”, The Guardian’s Ellen Jones reports. It’s had such an impact that the heist gang’s Salvador Dali masks have already been used in a real-life robbery in France, as well as appearing at protests around the world. As Alvaro Morte, one of the stars of the series, says: “Once you see the first chapter of the show, you are lost in it.”


theweekuk--2020-10-07--Instant Opinion: Boris Johnson’s ‘tone-deaf lies fall flat’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
“ The country has grown up in the time of coronavirus .
Tens of thousands have died ; hundreds of thousands have become ill ; millions are feeling frightened and insecure about their jobs .
Yet even though the prime minister has had time to move on , he appears to have learned nothing .
Boris may himself have wound up in intensive care , yet he still wants to be Mr Good Time Guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arm-wrestling .
But it ’ s becoming more and more of a struggle .
His eyes that used to sparkle from the acclaim are now mere dead hollows .
It ’ s possible that not even Boris believes in Boris .
The scepticism is contagious.
” on not being ‘ afraid ’ of Covid-19 This is Trump ’ s worst tweet ever .
No , really .
“ The president is playing with fire .
Sure , this specific tweet may get swallowed up in the insanity of the news cycle .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus and his followers can , too , has already been amplified by voices ranging from Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-Ga. ) , who tweeted an edited video of Trump at a professional wrestling match to make that argument , to Fox News .
They ’ re speaking to a huge base of people who trust and support Trump .
The drumbeat of this flawed argument , combined with the signals Trump and his supporters and family send by their failures to wear masks at official functions , adds up , sending mixed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broader public and impeding nationwide efforts to fight the virus.
” Macron ’ s fight with the far-left over extremism “ The majority response in France to Macron 's promise to combat Islamic extremism is scepticism .
Of the 121,000 people who responded to a poll in the centre-right Le Figaro , 74 % believed his attempt will end in failure .
Not so much because of an unwillingness on Macron 's part but because much of the apparatus for fighting Islamic extremism is still dominated by the left .
For example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two journalists outside the former offices of Charlie Hebdo had arrived in France three years ago claiming to be an unaccompanied minor but social services suspected he was older .
They sought permission from a child 's court to conduct a medical examination to determine his exact age but were refused.
” 4 .
Pritish Nandy in The New York Times The campaign to silence Bollywood “ India today is like the Mad Hatter ’ s tea party - partly funny , partly weird - and hidden behind it is an incredibly tragic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million confirmed coronavirus cases .
About 100,000 deaths .
The economy expected to contract by 12 % .
China trying to take over territory on a disputed border .
Yet if you had switched on news television in India in the past two months , you would have found a country obsessed with a singular subject : the taming of Bollywood , supposedly a wild , drug-addled place where horrible things happen to outsiders ; India ’ s Gomorrah , infested with vile liberals and Muslims.
” The history of art is full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were taken seriously “ The surge of emotion I felt standing in front of Susannah and the Elders – painted by a 17-year-old Artemisia Gentileschi in the same year she was raped by the artist who was hired by her father Orazio to teach her – was as powerful as any I have felt in my life .
In it , a nude Susannah twists away from the two old letches with horror and disgust ; unlike many of the nudes painted by male artists , her body is not an exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though it could have been carved from marble : it is living , moving flesh .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. John Crace in The Guardian
on a downtrodden Britain
Boris Johnson's tone-deaf lies fall flat as UK grows up
“The country has grown up in the time of coronavirus. Tens of thousands have died; hundreds of thousands have become ill; millions are feeling frightened and insecure about their jobs. Yet even though the prime minister has had time to move on, he appears to have learned nothing. Boris may himself have wound up in intensive care, yet he still wants to be Mr Good Time Guy, with gags about losing weight and arm-wrestling. But it’s becoming more and more of a struggle. His eyes that used to sparkle from the acclaim are now mere dead hollows. It’s possible that not even Boris believes in Boris. The scepticism is contagious.”
2. David Byler in The Washington Post
on not being ‘afraid’ of Covid-19
This is Trump’s worst tweet ever. No, really.
“The president is playing with fire. Sure, this specific tweet may get swallowed up in the insanity of the news cycle. But the message that Trump fought off the coronavirus and his followers can, too, has already been amplified by voices ranging from Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), who tweeted an edited video of Trump at a professional wrestling match to make that argument, to Fox News. They’re speaking to a huge base of people who trust and support Trump. The drumbeat of this flawed argument, combined with the signals Trump and his supporters and family send by their failures to wear masks at official functions, adds up, sending mixed messages to both his devotees and the broader public and impeding nationwide efforts to fight the virus.”
3. Gavin Mortimer in The Spectator
on a French conundrum
Macron’s fight with the far-left over extremism
“The majority response in France to Macron's promise to combat Islamic extremism is scepticism. Of the 121,000 people who responded to a poll in the centre-right Le Figaro, 74% believed his attempt will end in failure. Not so much because of an unwillingness on Macron's part but because much of the apparatus for fighting Islamic extremism is still dominated by the left. For example, a Pakistani immigrant who last month attacked two journalists outside the former offices of Charlie Hebdo had arrived in France three years ago claiming to be an unaccompanied minor but social services suspected he was older. They sought permission from a child's court to conduct a medical examination to determine his exact age but were refused.”
4. Pritish Nandy in The New York Times
on Modi tackling the elites
The campaign to silence Bollywood
“India today is like the Mad Hatter’s tea party - partly funny, partly weird - and hidden behind it is an incredibly tragic soliloquy of pain. More than six million confirmed coronavirus cases. About 100,000 deaths. The economy expected to contract by 12%. China trying to take over territory on a disputed border. Yet if you had switched on news television in India in the past two months, you would have found a country obsessed with a singular subject: the taming of Bollywood, supposedly a wild, drug-addled place where horrible things happen to outsiders; India’s Gomorrah, infested with vile liberals and Muslims.”
5. Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett in The Guardian
on male violence in art
The history of art is full of female masters. It's time they were taken seriously
“The surge of emotion I felt standing in front of Susannah and the Elders – painted by a 17-year-old Artemisia Gentileschi in the same year she was raped by the artist who was hired by her father Orazio to teach her – was as powerful as any I have felt in my life. In it, a nude Susannah twists away from the two old letches with horror and disgust; unlike many of the nudes painted by male artists, her body is not an exercise in containment, static and mannered as though it could have been carved from marble: it is living, moving flesh.”


theweekuk--2020-10-07--Coalition of scientists call for herd immunity plan - so could it work for the UK?

Thousands of health experts and researchers across the world are backing a campaign for coronavirus lockdown restrictions to be ditched in favour of a herd immunity strategy .
The so-called Great Barrington Declaration - an open letter named after the US town where it was written - has also been signed more than 65,000 citizens of countries all over the globe who want members of less vulnerable demographics to be allowed to return to normal life .
However , a new report published from the UK ’ s independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) warns that herd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try ” .
What do the scientists say ?
The Great Barrington Declaration has been signed by experts from a number of UK universities , and advocates for letting the virus spread in low-risk groups in the hope of achieving herd immunity .
Sunetra Gupta of Oxford University , Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford University and Martin Kulldorff of Harvard University authored the open letter , which says that lockdown restrictions are having “ devastating effects ” on physical and mental health .
The scientists write that lockdowns are resulting in “ lower childhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fewer cancer screenings and deteriorating mental health - leading to greater excess mortality in years to come , with the working class and younger members of society carrying the heaviest burden ” .
The letter calls for a strategy of “ focused protection ” for people in higher risk groups , but argues that “ the most compassionate approach ... is to allow those who are at minimal risk of death to live their lives normally to build up immunity to coronavirus through natural infection ” .
What do we know about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectivness of herd immunity has yet to be reached , but almost all experts agree that the strategy is dangerous .
Critics have “ warned that the declaration ignores the growing evidence on long Covid – whereby thousands of fit and young people who contract the virus have been left with debilitating symptoms months after a mild infection ” , says the London Evening Standard .
And Dr Jeremy Rossman , a senior lecturer in virology at the University of Kent , notes that research suggests protective antibodies may “ decay rapidly ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rossman also points out that countries such as Sweden , which decided against locking down during the first wave of coronavirus , “ were not able to successfully protect the vulnerable population ” .
Gregg Gonsalves , an epidemiologist at Yale University , goes a step further , arguing that herd immunity strategies mean “ culling the herd of the sick and disabled ” , and describing the defence of such an approach as “ grotesque ” .
Will it work in the UK ?
In early March , World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghebreyesus issued a statement warning against herd immunity as a strategy for beating the pandemic .
“ Covid-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity .
That means more people are susceptible to infection , and some will suffer severe disease , ” Tedros said .
“ There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.
” In August , WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan said that at least 70 % of the world population would need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chain of transmission ” .
“ If you allow this to happen naturally , it will take a long time , of course , but more importantly , it ’ s going to do a lot of collateral damage , ” Swaminathan explained , adding that “ even if 1 % of people who get infected are ultimately going to die , then this can add up to a huge number of people , if we look at the global population ” .
In the UK , a 1 % death rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - more than ten times the current tally - while worldwide it would equate to upwards of 54 million deaths .
Tests involving 20,000 people carried out by India ’ s National Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ) in July found that 23.4 % of Delhi residents had antibodies to the virus after the pandemic hit the city hard .
And Manaus , a coronavirus outlier located deep in the Amazon rainforest , also saw “ excess deaths ” - deviations in mortality from the expected level - drop from about 120 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero ” in August , as The Washington Post reported at the time .
But like Delhi , the Brazilian city also paid the price of achieving something resembling herd immunity , recording a huge number of deaths in the early months of the pandemic , when “ burials were running at five times their normal rate ” , according to The Times .


theweekuk--2020-10-07--Cabinet split: the lockdown hawks and doves in Boris Johnson’s top team

Boris Johnson is facing a growing schism within his cabinet over how to respond to a steady rise in coronavirus cases that has triggered calls for further lockdown measures .
The “ deepening split between senior ministers ” sees “ doves ” , who want to protect the UK economy , going up against “ hawks ” , who are calling for tougher restrictions , says the Daily Mail .
The division is yet another headache for the prime minister , who was criticised by the Institute for Government last month for failing to act immediately to curb the initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tank said cost a “ significant ” number of lives .
What is the current state of play ?
The UK recorded 14,542 new coronavirus infections and 76 related deaths yesterday , and the number of Covid-19 patients admitted to hospital has increased steadily over the past month to a current total of 2,833 , according to government figures .
Coronavirus deaths have also been increasing , with a 50 % rise in a single week last month .
Office for National Statistics data shows that 215 people lost their lives to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week ending 25 September , up from 76 the week before .
The figures remain “ well below those reported in the spring ” , but marked the third weekly increase in a row , says The Times .
Who are the lockdown hawks ?
The most notable hawks are Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove and Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
Hancock confirmed today that he will announce changes to the lockdown rules in England , amid speculation that the current system is to be replaced with a three-tier ranking .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would outline a “ more simplified ” approach and acknowledged the need for local action to be “ more consistent ” .
The announcement comes just weeks after he warned that restrictions will get tougher if rules are not followed , telling the BBC ’ s The Andrew Marr Show that the country was facing a “ tipping point ” in its battle with the pandemic .
Gove , meanwhile , has repeatedly refused to rule out further lockdown measures .
Offering a “ major hint ” of what may be to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told a conference of the Blue Collar Conservatism pressure group last week that “ we need to see the rate of infection fall ” .
” At the moment , we know that the infection rate is rising particularly in the North of England but not exclusively , ” Gove said .
“ I think we need to make sure we take all the measures necessary.
” Lockdown “ doves ” are those who believe that protecting the economy by eschewing lockdown measures is the best approach .
Unsurprisingly , the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunak .
Indeed , the chancellor has been busy “ cementing his status ” as the leading cabinet dove , and last night made an “ 11th-hour intervention ” that may delay the expected announcement later this week of the new three-tier Covid alert system , the Daily Mail reports .
Sunak is is “ said to have accepted the need for the new system but is concerned about the mechanism by which the most severe restrictions are imposed ” , The Telegraph adds .
In a bid to tackle that issue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be “ given the final say over when an area is required to enter the top tier of restrictions ” .
The chancellor is proposing that decisions on lockdown measures be made by Johnson , Hancock and himself .
Sunak is also pushing his anti-lockdown approach to voters , telling The Sun : “ I don ’ t think it ’ s wrong for people to want to strive for normality and I don ’ t think it ’ s wrong for the government to want that for people.
” “ Lockdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but they have an impact on many other things , ” he continued , and “ we have to look at this all in the round and beating coronavirus is important and minimising the harm that it causes is important ” .
The chancellor has won the backing of a group of council leaders in the North who have attacked the existing local lockdown system .
The leaders of Leeds , Manchester and Newcastle city councils - Judith Blake , Richard Leese and Nick Forbes - have teamed up with Liverpool Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health secretary saying that while they are “ extremely concerned ” about the rises in Covid cases , they will not back measures that harm their local economies .

Boris Johnson is facing a growing schism within his cabinet over how to respond to a steady rise in coronavirus cases that has triggered calls for further lockdown measures.
The “deepening split between senior ministers” sees “doves”, who want to protect the UK economy, going up against “hawks”, who are calling for tougher restrictions, says the Daily Mail.
The division is yet another headache for the prime minister, who was criticised by the Institute for Government last month for failing to act immediately to curb the initial outbreak - a delay that the think tank said cost a “significant” number of lives.
What is the current state of play?
The UK recorded 14,542 new coronavirus infections and 76 related deaths yesterday, and the number of Covid-19 patients admitted to hospital has increased steadily over the past month to a current total of 2,833, according to government figures.
Coronavirus deaths have also been increasing, with a 50% rise in a single week last month. Office for National Statistics data shows that 215 people lost their lives to the virus in England and Wales in the week ending 25 September, up from 76 the week before.
The figures remain “well below those reported in the spring”, but marked the third weekly increase in a row, says The Times.
Who are the lockdown hawks?
The most notable hawks are Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove and Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
Hancock confirmed today that he will announce changes to the lockdown rules in England, amid speculation that the current system is to be replaced with a three-tier ranking. The health boss said that the government would outline a “more simplified” approach and acknowledged the need for local action to be “more consistent”.
The announcement comes just weeks after he warned that restrictions will get tougher if rules are not followed, telling the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show that the country was facing a “tipping point” in its battle with the pandemic.
Gove, meanwhile, has repeatedly refused to rule out further lockdown measures. Offering a “major hint” of what may be to come, according to the Daily Express, he told a conference of the Blue Collar Conservatism pressure group last week that “we need to see the rate of infection fall”.


theweekuk--2020-10-07--Donald Trump’s herd immunity plan may result in ‘millions’ of US deaths, experts warn

Senior advisers to Donald Trump have met with scientists for advice on pushing a herd immunity strategy that experts say could trigger the deaths of “ millions ” of Americans .
On Monday , Trump ’ s health chief Alex Azar and adviser Scott Atlas consulted three scientists who back the idea that the US “ can quickly and safely achieve widespread immunity to the coronavirus by allowing it to spread unfettered among healthy people ” , Politico reports .
Following the meeting , Health and Human Services Secretary Azar tweeted that they had “ heard strong reinforcement of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting the vulnerable while opening schools and the workplace ” .
The scientists present - or as Azar described them , the “ three distinguished infectious disease experts ” - were Harvard University professor of medicine Martin Kulldorff , Stanford physician and epidemiologist Jay Bhattacharya , and Oxford epidemiologist Sunetra Gupta .
All three are advocates of aggressively reopening up the US economy and sidelining mass testing .
But “ mainstream medical and public health experts say that seeking widespread , or herd , immunity in the manner the scientists prescribe could result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or even millions more US residents ” , Politico says .
The Covid-19 coronavirus has already claimed the lives of more than 210,000 Americans , according to latest figures .
A study published in The Lancet last month found that less than 10 % of the US population had antibodies to the virus .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) director Dr Robert Redfield subsequently told a hearing of the Senate Health , Education , Labor and Pensions Committee that “ a majority of American ” were “ still vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
But “ the idea of allowing the virus to spread uncontrollably is gaining traction in the White House ” , despite experts warning that the move could have “ deadly and dangerous consequences ” , The Hill says .
The US Department of Health and Human Services , headed by Azar , declined to comment to Politico on whether the Trump administration is shifting to a herd immunity strategy .


theweekuk--2020-10-07--Unite cuts Labour funding amid frustration with ‘centrist’ Keir Starmer

Unite has voted to reduce its funding to Labour as the union ’ s boss Len McCluskey warns Keir Starmer that moving Labour too far from the left may result in a further withdrawal of support .
At a meeting last night , the Unite executive agreed to cut its affiliation money to the Labour Party by about 10 % , amid “ anger in the union about Labour ’ s direction ” under Starmer , the BBC reports .
And McCluskey , a close ally of former Labour boss Jeremy Corbyn , has hinted that “ there could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should Sir Keir continue to tack to the centre ” , says The Times .
The union chief told BBC Newsnight yesterday that “ I have no doubt if things start to move in different directions and ordinary working people start saying , ‘ well , I ’ m not sure what Labour stands for ’ , then my activists will ask me , ‘ why are we giving so much money ’ ?
” Unite is Labour ’ s biggest donor , handing the party and its MPs more than £20m since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid claims that Starmer is drifting “ too far from the left-wing course ” set by Corbyn , says the Daily Mirror .
McCluskey had previously threatened to cut Unite funding to Labour in protest against Starmer ’ s decision to pay damages to whistleblowers in the row over the party ’ s handling of anti-Semitism under Corbyn .
Prior to last night ’ s executive meeting , the union chief said that “ funding arrangements is undoubtedly an issue that may come up ” .
He later told Newsnight that his executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was an absolute mistake and wrong to pay out huge sums of money ” in damages to the former staff members “ when Labour ’ s own legal people were saying that they would lose that case if it went to court ” .

Unite has voted to reduce its funding to Labour as the union’s boss Len McCluskey warns Keir Starmer that moving Labour too far from the left may result in a further withdrawal of support.
At a meeting last night, the Unite executive agreed to cut its affiliation money to the Labour Party by about 10%, amid “anger in the union about Labour’s direction” under Starmer, the BBC reports.
And McCluskey, a close ally of former Labour boss Jeremy Corbyn, has hinted that “there could be further cuts in Unite’s donations should Sir Keir continue to tack to the centre”, says The Times.
The union chief told BBC Newsnight yesterday that “I have no doubt if things start to move in different directions and ordinary working people start saying, ‘well, I’m not sure what Labour stands for’, then my activists will ask me, ‘why are we giving so much money’?”
Unite is Labour’s biggest donor, handing the party and its MPs more than £20m since 2016. But fault lines have opened amid claims that Starmer is drifting “too far from the left-wing course” set by Corbyn, says the Daily Mirror.
McCluskey had previously threatened to cut Unite funding to Labour in protest against Starmer’s decision to pay damages to whistleblowers in the row over the party’s handling of anti-Semitism under Corbyn. Prior to last night’s executive meeting, the union chief said that “funding arrangements is undoubtedly an issue that may come up”.
He later told Newsnight that his executive was angry “because they thought it was an absolute mistake and wrong to pay out huge sums of money” in damages to the former staff members “when Labour’s own legal people were saying that they would lose that case if it went to court”.


theweekuk--2020-10-07--Conservatives spent £200,000 on each of 80 majority seats won in 2019 election

The Conservatives paid £200,000 in campaigning costs for each of the 80 majority seats won by the party in last December general election , newly released data reveals .
In total , the Tories spend £16,486,871 to claim their biggest majority since Margaret Thatcher ’ s 1987 victory , according to the Electoral Commission .
That total included £1,689,000 to CTF Partners , the lobbying firm run by “ Australian dark arts specialist ” Lynton Crosby ’ , says Politico London Playbook ’ s Alex Wickham .
The multimillion investment was less than the amount shelled out on Theresa May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , which cost the party £18.5m .
And the Conservatives spent just £1m on Facebook advertising for last year ’ s vote - less than half what they handed over to the platform in the previous election .
Boris Johnson ’ s team also spent £458,688 on Twitter graphics and videos from New Zealand-based PR firm Topham Guerin , which controversially rebranded the Conservative ’ s Twitter account as FactCheckUK during the leader ’ s debate last November .
And £700,000 was handed over to strategic advisory firm Hanbury Strategy , co-founded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No details of Labour ’ s spending has been published yet , although Politico ’ s Wickham “ imagines the full figures will be released by the Electoral Commission imminently ” .
In 2017 , the Tories were fined a record £70,000 for making false declarations about their election expenses during the 2015 general election , which saw David Cameron defeating Ed Miliband ’ s Labour .
The Tories recorded thousands of pounds spent on a battle bus as national spending when it was actually used to re-elect specific MPs , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Conservatives paid £200,000 in campaigning costs for each of the 80 majority seats won by the party in last December general election, newly released data reveals.
In total, the Tories spend £16,486,871 to claim their biggest majority since Margaret Thatcher’s 1987 victory, according to the Electoral Commission. That total included £1,689,000 to CTF Partners, the lobbying firm run by “Australian dark arts specialist” Lynton Crosby’, says Politico London Playbook’s Alex Wickham.
The multimillion investment was less than the amount shelled out on Theresa May’s 2017 general election campaign, however, which cost the party £18.5m.
And the Conservatives spent just £1m on Facebook advertising for last year’s vote - less than half what they handed over to the platform in the previous election.
Boris Johnson’s team also spent £458,688 on Twitter graphics and videos from New Zealand-based PR firm Topham Guerin, which controversially rebranded the Conservative’s Twitter account as FactCheckUK during the leader’s debate last November.
And £700,000 was handed over to strategic advisory firm Hanbury Strategy, co-founded by ex-Vote Leave communications director Paul Stephenson.
No details of Labour’s spending has been published yet, although Politico’s Wickham “imagines the full figures will be released by the Electoral Commission imminently”.
In 2017, the Tories were fined a record £70,000 for making false declarations about their election expenses during the 2015 general election, which saw David Cameron defeating Ed Miliband’s Labour.
The Tories recorded thousands of pounds spent on a battle bus as national spending when it was actually used to re-elect specific MPs, as The Guardian reported at the time.


theweekuk--2020-10-07--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 7 Oct 2020

Coronavirus hospital admissions have hit a four-month high in England as the UK recorded another 14,542 cases - almost 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ .
Another 76 deaths linked to the virus were also reported yesterday , taking the @ @ @ @ @ , Boris Johnson said : “ Even in the darkest moments we can see the @ @ @ @ @ we can see how to build it and we will build it together .
”

English hospital admissions reach four-month high
Coronavirus hospital admissions have hit a four-month high in England as the UK recorded another 14,542 cases - almost 2,000 more than the previous day. Another 76 deaths linked to the virus were also reported yesterday, taking the total to 42,445. Yesterday, Boris Johnson said: “Even in the darkest moments we can see the bright future ahead. And we can see how to build it and we will build it together.”


theweekuk--2020-10-07--Sex shop gives away toys to ‘make America orgasm again’

A sex shop in the US is offering female customers free red , white , and blue vibrators if they pledge to vote in the upcoming White House election .
The Erotique adult store in Montana says it wants to “ make America orgasm again ” and is giving away 2,200 vibrators in a promotion dubbed The Great American Orgasm .
The toys are accompanied by an American flag sticker that states : “ I came and I voted.
” A “ one in 30 million ” orange Canadian lobster has been saved by a fishmonger and sent to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Atkinson discovered the apricot-hued arthropod in a delivery to his shop in Fleetwood .
“ Its striking and extremely unusual orange colour is actually only found in one in 30 million , ” said Sea Life curator Scott Blacker .
An American teenager has set the world record for the longest female legs .
Maci Currin , 17 , has a right leg that is 134.3cm long and a left leg that is 135.3cm long .
The 6ft 10in Texan is encouraging people with unique physical attributes to “ embrace ” them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspire other tall women .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A sex shop in the US is offering female customers free red, white, and blue vibrators if they pledge to vote in the upcoming White House election. The Erotique adult store in Montana says it wants to “make America orgasm again” and is giving away 2,200 vibrators in a promotion dubbed The Great American Orgasm. The toys are accompanied by an American flag sticker that states: “I came and I voted.”
Rare orange lobster is spared the pot
A “one in 30 million” orange Canadian lobster has been saved by a fishmonger and sent to see out its days in an aquarium. Steve Atkinson discovered the apricot-hued arthropod in a delivery to his shop in Fleetwood. “Its striking and extremely unusual orange colour is actually only found in one in 30 million,” said Sea Life curator Scott Blacker.
Longest-legged teen hopes to inspire others
An American teenager has set the world record for the longest female legs. Maci Currin, 17, has a right leg that is 134.3cm long and a left leg that is 135.3cm long. The 6ft 10in Texan is encouraging people with unique physical attributes to “embrace” them. She hopes her record title will inspire other tall women.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-10-07--How Donald Trump’s ‘regret-nothing’ Covid stance could pay off in US election

Any hope that Donald Trump ’ s hospitalisation with Covid-19 might alter his bullish attitude to the virus were dashed yesterday as the president celebrated his return to the White House by telling Americans to “ get out there ” without fear of infection .
The message , delivered by a maskless Trump , has alarmed doctors and health workers , who condemned the US leader ’ s dismissive attitude to a virus that has already killed more than 210,000 of his citizens .
But with the response to the pandemic now a key issue in the presidential election race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message of strength ” could play well with many voters - and even help him beat Democratic rival Joe Biden in November ’ s vote .
According to Chicago Tribune columnist Dahleen Glanton , Trump knows exactly how to play to his base ” , many of whom are equally dismissive about Covid .
And what the president ” needs more than anything if he has any chance of winning re-election is for his people to be energised ” .
“ He doesn ’ t care what die-hard anti-Trumpers think of his antics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows he ’ ll never get our vote .
So like any savvy politician , he ’ s not wasting time in this final stretch of the campaign trying to win us over.
” The mathematics of the electoral college work in the Republican incumbent ’ s favour , and mean that even with a substantial loss of the popular vote , Trump could still win if he can get enough support in key swing states .
“ It ’ s a small window of opportunity , but if Trump can siphon a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right states , he has a good shot at re-election , ” Glanton says .
Former Republican adviser Hal Lambert points out that Trump is dominating the news agenda - just as he did four years ago against Hillary Clinton - making it “ difficult ” for Biden to get any coverage .
Speaking to talkRADIO , Lambert said : “ I do feel pretty comfortable that President Trump is going to win this and may pick up some states he didn ’ t win last time.
” Asked about Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : “ One of the things it ’ s done is move the cycle back to President Trump 100 % of the time .
It ’ s really difficult for Biden to get a message out there when all the focus is on President Trump.
” To assess how Trump ’ s reaction to his illness has played with voters , the BBC spoke to people across the US , revealing a range of differing attitudes .
Neil Melton , a construction-project manager from Prairie Village in Kansas , applauded the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see that winning spirit , ” he told the broadcaster .
“ They don ’ t want to live with this Covid lifestyle forever.
” But Paul Kearns-Stanley , a funeral director from Queens , New York , condemned the president ’ s minimisation of his illness as reckless .
“ People hear that message and they act on it , and it ’ s our behaviour that ’ s going to help us or hurt us now , ” Kearns-Stanley said .
In Moorsville , North Carolina , which backed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington correspondent Henry Zeffman found Republican voters “ in despair over Trump ’ s antics ” .
“ I wish Trump would just shut his mouth , ” hairdresser Barb Pfefer told Zeffman .
“ I ’ m a Republican , but I won ’ t vote for the wrong man if the Republican is the wrong man ” , she continued , adding that she had considered Trump the “ lesser of two evils ” but is now not sure .
That verdict was echoed by Cristina Juhasz , who is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ stupid ” decision to stage a drive-by to greet well-wishers outside Walter Reed military hospital during his three-day stay in the Maryland medical facility .
“ Driving past to talk to his supporters .
Why did he put our servicemen in danger like that ?
Sure , he ’ s wearing a mask but he ’ s on steroids .
Hey , your supporters would rather see you get well than see you in a car , ” she said .
Trump continues to trail his Democratic rival in the polls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for defying the projections of pollsters .
Since his inauguration four years ago , “ few people seem to have really changed their minds about America ’ s 45th president , ” with his approval ratings moored stubbornly between around 45 % and 55 % , The Telegraph says .
But “ having defied political gravity four years ago , the jury ’ s out as to whether he can do the same again against his new Democrat opponent ” .
Polling on the partisan response to the coronavirus offers another insight into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ regret-nothing approach ” to his infection .
“ By many measures , Democrats are still a bit more concerned about the virus outbreak than Republicans , ” says FiveThirtyEight , which points to a Civiqs survey that found 65 % of Democrats were “ extremely concerned ” infections in their area , compared with just 21 % of Republicans .
But it is a risky gambit for the president to stake his campaign on , with “ the partisan divide on these issues that seemed more apparent in early and mid-March ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more similarly to Democrats and independents ” , the polling analysis site adds .