Boris Johnson’s three key tests as scientists deliver stark warning – The Yorkshire Post says

Sir Patrick Vallance and Professor Chris Whitty’s additional assertion that up to 200 people a day could die from the virus by November now paves the way for the Prime Minister to act now to curtail the virus’s second wave.

But Boris Johnson’s task, a week after the advent of the ‘rule of six’ to limit social gatherings, is as grim as it was six months ago when he first addressed the nation and announced a national lockdown.

First, he needs to regain the nation’s trust – the goodwill that did exist at the start of the pandemic, and when Mr Johnson himself was taken ill, can no longer be taken for granted.

Next, the PM has to square off the country’s public health needs against an economy in deep recession and targeted help will still be needed to protect jobs.

Third, the Government has to accept that its programme of testing – as well as track and trace – is not the ‘world-beating’ policy promised by Ministers. This means addressing the self-evident flaws while empowering councils and making the most of their local expertise – too often they’re being held back by Government indecision and funding concerns.

And it’s also a question of tone from Mr Johnson. Threats of draconianism don’t appear to be working. Yet the public might be more compliant if families are, as now proposed, afforded leeway over childcare, and looking after the elderly, provided they do so in a reasonable way.

There are no easy answers – and rarely has a PM’s task been so invidious. But it is clear that the Government has to act now if Britain is to avoid an even greater societal and economic calamity this winter.

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Thank you

James Mitchinson