Boris Johnson evokes Blitz spirit as he says coronavirus is ‘national challenge’ for British public
BORIS Johnson has evoked the Blitz spirit as he declared the coronavirus a "national challenge" for the British public.
The Prime Minister issued a rallying cry to the public to keep calm and carry on in the midst of the crisis.
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Unveiling the Government’s battle plan, Mr Johnson was asked if the nation “still have that bulldog spirit to fight this on the beaches”.
Boris today backed Brits to do their bit, labelling it a “national challenge”.
In a rally cry, he said: "The potential is there for something that our country has to get through.
“I have absolutely no doubt we have the resources, the health services, the expertise to do it.
"I am very confident that British public understand that and can see exactly what the balance of risk is.
“I think we will get through it in very good shape.”
What are the next phases in tackling the outbreak?
DELAY PHASE
- Publicity campaigns to promote good hygiene measures among the British public
- Population distancing measures will be considered such as school closures, encouraging people to work from home and cancelling large scale gatherings like concerts and sports matches
- Measures to protect vulnerable individuals or those with illnesses and who are more at risk will be looked at
RESEARCH PHASE
- Prepare for multiple waves of the virus to occur.
- Gather evidence about which interventions have so fat been effective at containing the spread.
MITIGATE STAGE
- Drawing down on stockpiles of drugs and required medicines if needed
- Early discharge from hospital and look after people in their own homes instead
- Non urgent care could be delayed to prioritise more sick people
- Calling on NHS staff who have left to return back to help fight the epidemic
- Work with local councils to provide advice on increase in deaths
- Distributing the UK's stockpiles of key medicines and equipment
- Possible new laws to keep systems working like ensuring doctor's licenses are valid and making sure class sizes can be bigger if needed
The PM has this morning launched his battle plan to save as many lives as possible while ensuring Britain goes about business as usual.
It includes sweeping measures which will be considered in the coming weeks, such as shutting down schools, banning mass gatherings, cancelling NHS operations and encouraging people to work from home.
The PM told a packed press conference at No10 earlier as the number of cases stood at 39: "The army is of course always ready as and when, but that is under the worst case scenario."
Mr Johnson insisted the most important thing was washing your hands for at least 20 seconds - or the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.
He said: “Crucially, we must not forget what we can all do to fight this virus, which is to wash our hands, you knew I was going to say this, but wash our hands with soap and water.
“And forgive me for repeating this but there will be people who will be tuning into this for the first time: wash your hands with soap and hot water for the length of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.
“It’s simple advice but it’s the single most important thing we can do, as I think our experts would attest.”
Mr Johnson also insisted the vast majority of people who get the disease will be fine.
He said “Let me be absolutely clear that for the overwhelming majority of people who contract the virus, this will be a mild disease from which they will speedily and fully recover as we’ve already seen.
“Our country remains extremely well prepared, as it has been since the outbreak began in Wuhan several months ago.
“But at this stage, and with the exception of all of the points I have just mentioned, I want to stress that for the vast majority of the people of this country, we should be going about our business as usual.”
His battle plan includes:
- Urging millions of Brits to work from home to reduce the risk of catching it
- Schools could be shut for up to three months
- Pensioners who are most at risk from the disease could be advised to stay away from public events like the VE Day celebrations in May
- Large scale events like concerts and sports matches could be cancelled
- Plans to call retired doctors and nurses back into the NHS
- Giving schools permission to have larger class sizes
- Emergency laws to tackle the outbreak - including allowing border officials to refuse entry to Britain of anyone accused of carrying the viru
There will be a focus on helping vulnerable groups as medical experts think this is best way to reduce the number of deaths.
Local authorities will have advice on how deal with increased deaths if the outbreak reaches a crisis point.
One in one hundred Brits could die from the virus - and older people face even higher risks, the Government's top doctor said today.
Professor Chris Whitty said "probably around 1 per cent of people who get this virus might end up dying".
The PM added: "Most people will unquestionably get through it."
Officials think the virus could take six weeks to peak before gripping the country for months.
A 12-week window is being examined from the start of a possible epidemic, until the country is able to get it back under control.
Multiple peaks could be possible too, the top scientists warned.
Shaking hands won't spread virus
BRITS should have no fears about shaking hands with people as its unlikely to affect spreading of coronavirus, the Health Secretary said today.
As the virus continues to spread across the country, Matt Hancock insisted people were not putting themselves at risk by greeting others.
It comes after videos of members of the public tapping their feet together as a greeting instead have gone viral online.
Mr Hancock told the BBC earlier: "The advice is the impact of shaking hands is negligible. As long as you wash your hands, shaking hands is OK.
"The end of handshaking is not something the scientists are recommending."
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Today Matt Hancock revealed there are now 53 cases in the UK.
He said: "We prepare for the worst and work for the best. We commit to ensuring that the agencies responsible for tackling this outbreak are properly resourced, have the people, equipment and the medicine they need and that any new laws they need are brought forward as and when required.
"This is a national effort, we need everyone to listen to and act on the official medical advice. We need employers to prioritise the welfare of their staff and the single most important thing that everyone can do and I make no apologies for repeating this, is to use tissues when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands more often.
"It's in your interest, your family's interest and in the national interest. We will get through this and everyone has a part to play."
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