I have a very close friend who’s a researcher studying public health at a major NGO, and he told me that this was THE week to practice as much social distancing as possible, even if you don’t have to go to work. I asked him to explain why. Sharing his answers w/ permission (1/x)

If South Korea (population 51m) can achieve this, why can’t we? Why is UK Gov accepting inevitability of exponential growth, when it can be stopped. Secondary & tertiary outbreaks may occur and be severe, but they can be addressed giving us time to produce a vaccine #coronavirus

All evidence on #coronavirus says the vital thing is to act quickly - and yet we do nothing. Are ‘vulnerable’ people going to have to stay home for 18 months because we won’t inconvenience the general public by requesting social distancing?!

The “science” has not “changed”. Not a single figure in any of this, the R0 (infectiousness), case fatality, ICU rate, NHS capacity. NOT ONE. And WE STILL are not doing full suppression measures. The virus has a TWO WEEK incubation period- we need to act yesterday.

As if we didn’t know there was a monetary motivation for Boris not wanting to ask hospitality venues to close so that they could claim insurance - he was paid £25K to speak at the British Insurance Brokers' Association conference last summer. #coronavirus

If you don’t need protective clothing to deal with Covid patients in hospital wards/doctor’s surgeries/ambulances then Boris Johnson et al won’t mind visiting. I can’t wait to see the footage! #coronavirus #nomaskforboris

Cannot understand why we have done so little for so long. #coronavirus theguardian.com/society/2020/m…

Truth. #BlackLivesMatter

apple.news/AXIQBmhB1TRGg1…

Exclusive: UK govt is paying management consultants the equivalent of million and a half pound salaries to work on Test & Trace. I’ve seen documents showing senior staff from Boston Consulting Group are being paid day rates of around £7k, equivalent to £1.5m on an annual basis.

As MP’s give themselves a pay rise of £3,300 Matt Hancock says Nurses don’t deserve more than £92 a day. #BorisJohnson pays Test and Trace consultants £7,350 a day and Dominic Cummings is let off £50,000 fine. And they wonder why they’ve lost trust. #ToryCorruption

Here we go again... Boris Johnson's 95% mortgages will put Britain back on course for a house price crash theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

“Trump may be losing the election, but he is not the aberration in the history of America . . . much of the world would like to believe. At least 70 million Americans voted [for him], despite witnessing his constant lying, open racism and lethal incompetence” (Patrick Cockburn)

Glad I took down my tree this afternoon or I may have been tempted to keep it up for the whole year. #Lockdown3

What’s the deal with Waitrose & Partners sending out vouchers only to be used ‘in store’ in the midst of a pandemic where everyone is trying not to go to the shops? You used to be able to use these online.

I see now that Matalan kids’ clothes are delivered with enough plastic packaging to deter a repeat order from anyone with a hint of environmental awareness... Every item bagged and hangered!

Waiting in Kefalonia airport since 9.30am with 2 young children. Jet2tweets zero reps here although many in the taverna earlier. No information at the gate.