Boris Johnson unveils his strategy for “living with Covid” on Monday, despite criticism surrounding the expected end of the latest restrictions such as compulsory isolation for the sick.
Advanced by a month by a Boris Johnson threatened by the black cloud of “partygate”, the presentation of the plan to “live with the Covid” comes as Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday. But according to Buckingham Palace, the 95-year-old sovereign is only suffering from “mild” symptoms.
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This Monday “marks a moment of pride after one of the most difficult periods in the history of our country as we begin to learn to live with the Covid”, declared the head of government in a press release, welcoming caregivers and experts. , on the front line in the fight against the virus. “The pandemic is not over but thanks to the incredible deployment of the vaccine, we are taking one more step towards a return to normal,” he added.
Among the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, the United Kingdom has deplored more than 160,000 deaths from the virus in the past two years. According to the latest figures, 85% of the population over the age of 12 have received two doses of vaccines, 66% a booster After a cabinet meeting in the morning, Boris Johnson must make a statement to Parliament in the afternoon .
“Effet domino”
But the prospect of ending the legal obligation to isolate oneself in the event of a positive test and the abandonment of free tests has been sharply criticized. “This week, a 95-year-old lady caught Covid. Having been tested early, she can be prescribed antivirals that must be taken within three to five days of infection to be effective,” noted Stephen Reicher, a highly critical expert on government health policy. “Next week, another 95-year-old lady may catch Covid, without having the means to buy tests…” and will only discover it “too late”, continued the professor of social psychology at the University of Saint Andrews. “Her story won’t make the headlines. She won’t get the Prime Minister’s wishes. But her life matters too.”
“The government cannot wave a magic wand and pretend the threat is gone entirely,” said Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which brings together leaders of the public health system, recently. World Health Organization (WHO) envoy for Europe David Nabarro has meanwhile expressed concern that the country is “choosing a line that goes against the public health consensus”. , which would create “a domino effect in the world”. In matters of health, government decisions in London are restricted to England because of devolution which gives powers to the Parliaments of the other three nations. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have often taken a more cautious approach.
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