Face coverings are ‘probably of no value’ for protection when walking past someone briefly in the street but people may need to start wearing them in outdoor crowds and markets, Sir Patrick Vallance said today. The UK’s chief scientific adviser said masks could become the new normal in some outdoor places and could still be … Read more
We are ALL heading for Tier 4: Science chief’s warning as Chris Whitty says Covid hospital cases could match the April peak by New Year England put on notice for New Year lockdown amid warnings of mutant strain Sir Patrick Vallance said it was likely measures would ‘need to be increased’ Downing Street tried to … Read more
Robert Jenrick says it is a ‘personal decision’ whether to hug family at Christmas despite Chris Whitty grimly warning people must not do so ‘if you want them to survive’ Robert Jenrick said it is a personal choice if people hug relatives at Christmas Prof Chris Whitty said last night people should not ‘if you … Read more
‘Don’t hug granny if you want her to survive to be hugged again’: Downing Street experts are unanimous that just because it’s not illegal to embrace relatives at Christmas doesn’t mean you should Prof Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance said they want people to see their families But they added they would not encourage people … Read more
Prof Chris Whitty ‘told off’ chief scientist Sir Patrick Vallance for pushing too hard for a lockdown in March, confidential emails reveal Sir Patrick Vallance defended his performance in private email to colleagues Scientific officer said he was ‘stronger than anyone’ calling for early lockdown Sir Patrick said he was ‘told off’ by chief medical … Read more
Boris Johnson‘s Covid clampdown has divided his Cabinet, it emerged last night. He faces a fierce Tory backlash over the contentious ‘rule of six’ that bans gatherings of seven or more from Monday. A string of senior ministers opposed the measure at a crunch meeting, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak among those to speak out. A … Read more
1. GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi Pasteur: 60million doses The Government revealed on July 29 it had signed a deal with pharmaceutical giants GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Sanofi Pasteur If the vaccine proves successful, the UK could begin to vaccinate priority groups, such as frontline health and social care workers and those at increased risk from coronavirus, as early … Read more
Dominic Raab today tried to pour cold water on growing claims of a split between Boris Johnson and his top scientist Sir Patrick Vallance over whether the UK could face a second nationwide coronavirus lockdown. Mr Johnson said he ‘certainly’ does not want to impose draconian restrictions again as he likened the ‘tool’ of national … Read more
SAGE scientists told the Government a month ago it would not be possible to return to a ‘pre-Covid normality’ without a vaccine or a far better contact tracing system, it emerged today. In a report submitted to ministers on June 22, scientists advising Number 10 said social distancing will need to be in place until … Read more
So where were Sir Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty? No10 scientific advisers are notably absent as Boris Johnson gives latest Covid address – hours after SAGE chief snubbed PM’s return-to-work plea The experts have become familiar faces at Number 10 podium during the crisis Instead, Mr Johnson was joined by NHS test and trace chief … Read more
Boris Johnson today set out the next phase of his plan to get life in the UK back to normal amid claims he may have watered down his strategy to rip up work from home rules after the bombshell intervention of his top science expert. The Prime Minister used a Downing Street press conference to unveil a … Read more
Coronavirus outcome in the UK ‘has not been good’, Sir Patrick Vallance admits and advice on face masks hasn’t changed since April — despite government only NOW making them mandatory in shops England’s chief scientific adviser said it’s ‘absolutely clear’ UK fared badly By Sam Blanchard Senior Health Reporter For Mailonline Published: 15:41 BST, 16 … Read more
More than 120,000 Britons could die from Covid-19 in hospital this winter, ministers have been warned. Leading academics were asked to predict a ‘reasonable worst-case scenario’ of how a second wave of coronavirus could hit Britain by Number 10‘s chief scientist Sir Patrick Vallance. The group — from the Academy of Medical Sciences — found … Read more