 |
|
|
|
Finally, the UK Government has issued what it calls it’s ‘Action Plan’ detailing how it will tackle the inevitable increasing infection rate in the UK of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and the action it intends to take to try and minimise infections and deaths from this new virus. In the introduction to the 28 page document, the Government claims to have planned well ahead for this type of incident: ‘The UK Government and the Devolved Administrations, including the health and social care systems, have planned extensively over the years for an event like this, and the UK is therefore well prepared to respond in a way that offers substantial protection to the public.' It goes on to say:
• how we have planned for an infectious disease outbreak, such as the current coronavirus outbreak • the actions we have taken so far in response to the current coronavirus outbreak • what we are planning to do next, depending upon the course the current coronavirus outbreak takes. • the role the public can play in supporting this response, now and in the future. In launching the document, Boris Johnson moved to try and curtail the public image of a Government that has moved slowly in dealing with this forthcoming crisis, and to paint what many will see as a picture viewed through rosy glasses, of the NHS and it’s ability to cope when this virus gets a true hold on the population. Here are his words in full:
The plan has four strands. Containing the virus, delaying its spread, researching its origins and cure, and finally mitigating the impact should the virus become more widespread. That is, contain, delay, research, mitigate. And 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. But I fully understand public concern, your concern, about the global spread of this virus. And it is highly likely that we will see a growing number of UK cases. And that’s why keeping the country safe is the government’s overriding priority. And our plan means we’re committed to doing everything possible based on the advice of our world leading scientific experts to prepare for all eventualities. Let’s not forget – we already have a fantastic NHS, fantastic testing systems and fantastic surveillance of the spread of disease. We will make sure the NHS gets all the support it needs to continue their brilliant response to the virus so far. The plan does not set out what the government will do, it sets out the steps we could take at the right time along the basis of the scientific advice. Our country remains extremely well prepared, as it has been since the outbreak began in Wuhan several months ago.
It’s simple advice but it’s the single most important thing we can do, as I think our experts would attest. 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." However, the use of Donald Trump – like superlatives, will do nothing to assuage the fears of working people who may well find they are being badly treated by employers through loss of pay, increased sickness record despite not being ill, but merely self-isolating (e.g. after coming into close vicinity of someone who subsequently gets infected, or traveling back from a country already infected) in order to follow Government and NHS advice and to avoid the potential spreading of the virus to workplace colleagues; in the event they too were found to be infected with the virus. Nothing in the plan, nor in what any politician has said so far, actually deals with the economic practicalities of the negative affects the virus may have upon those on shift and part time work, zero hours contacts and self-employed. It has fallen to the TUC to make clear what action the Government and employers should be taking to protect the financial life of those affected. You can downloads the full document from the Unionsafety E-Library by using search word 'Coronavirus' or 'Covid-19' Source: Gov.UK / TUC / Manchester Evening News See also: TUC Calls On Employers And Government To Support Workers Affected By Coronavirus
|
 |
"Good morning and thank you for coming along, and I am very glad to be joined this morning by the government’s Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Advisor.
Finally, 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.