Given the effect of Chris Whitty's comments that he made in the briefing, is anyone else feeling a bit cynical? The science, IMO, always seems to have urged caution at the briefings over the past months (Pat Vallance urged the same in the past few weeks), so what Chris said wasn't that surprising or news worthy. I feel that Boz, knowing that he was losing the party (political not 'let's parrrrrrrttttyyyy') confidence over the freedoms issue, got all his press people to push Chris's comment and even got a couple of pets to rail against a scientist making policy - thereby ensuring that Chris's message hit everywhere. I think Boz knew/knows he had to slow omicron down, but didn't want to be the person to introduce more measures - so made sure Chris's message did some of the work for him. Or is that giving (FOC) vastly toooooo much credence to Boz's ability to plan any more than half a step ahead?
I don't think it was planned, but the effect of Chris making those comments was indeed to deflect a certain amount of negative attention away from Boris. Chris's advice was sensible, clear, easily understood.
Boris's comments are a mess, as he tries to reconcile the various lobby groups and political constituencies. Trying to upset no-one, he actually manages to aggravate people on all sides, generating confusion and weariness that undercut our national response.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
Boris's comments are a mess ... generating confusion and weariness ....
Not helped by his apparent inability to finish a sentence. He seems to just get lost and wander off into 'boffle waffle'. As Martin Clunes commented on HIGNFY last night, 'he can't read out loud, either'.
I sort of wish I believed pushing Chris Whitty to the front to take the flak was a careful strategy to get us to be more compliant. Sadly, I no longer believe our politicians are that smart
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
No wonder this virus is spreading. I saw someone at the Allotments today. We exchanged the usual how are you etc. I mentioned my Granddaughter testing antigen pos and that we are awaiting PCR confirmation. He said oh my wife tested pos and isolated for 10 days, but we didn't get a PCR, as I wouldn't have been able to go out for 10 days too. I just walked away, words fail me. 🤬
@Allotment Boy - The current NHS guidance is that people in the same household as one who has tested positive do NOT have to self isolate IF they are fully vaccinated. However they are advised to take daily LFT's for 7 days and self isolate if they then test positive as well.
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Boris's comments are a mess, as he tries to reconcile the various lobby groups and political constituencies. Trying to upset no-one, he actually manages to aggravate people on all sides, generating confusion and weariness that undercut our national response.
I sort of wish I believed pushing Chris Whitty to the front to take the flak was a careful strategy to get us to be more compliant. Sadly, I no longer believe our politicians are that smart
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I suspect this is most of the country.