Covid-19 test
On March 12, British Government Chief Technical Adviser Chris Whitty declared: “We do not need to identify each case to be tested again. In the future, only those requiring hospitalization will need the Covid-19 test. ”
According to Mr. Whitty, the UK is moving from a period of disease control to a period of reducing the spread of Covid-19. Whitty asserts that the number of cases and deaths from Covid-19 will be "much lower" than the models predicted by experts.
Nearly two months later, the British Government Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance said: “I think it is of great benefit that we can greatly enhance our testing capacity. However, you know, for many reasons, this did not happen. I think it’s important for us to conduct mass testing.
I think that if we can test and track suspected Covid-19 subjects and implement good social spacing, we can avoid the second wave of disease spread. ”
Community immunity
On March 13, Mr. Vallance stated, “Our goal is to limit Covid-19 to its climax, not to completely eradicate this epidemic because most people with Covid-19 have only a mild fever. Building community immunity will help more and more people become immune to the disease, reduce the risk of infection, and we can protect the most vulnerable people. Those are the most important things we need to do. ”
However, nearly two months later, the official changed his position: "I want to clarify what I want to say, and I am sorry if what I say is not really clear. What I want to emphasize here is that, when there is no clear cure, the only way to prevent infection in the community is to build the immune system and this immune system can only be achieved by vaccinations or plasma extracts of people who have had Covid-19 are now cured. "
Number of deaths from Covid-19
"If we can keep the Covid-19 deaths to below 20,000, then we have done a really good job of preventing this disease," said National Health Director Stephen Powis on March 28.
According to Powis, now is not the time to lament and that the UK National Health Agency is fully competent to achieve this goal: “If we can guarantee that each of the authorities assume its responsibilities, it is completely feasible ”.
More than a month later, on April 30, when the number of Covid-19 deaths in the UK stood at 26,711, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We can avoid the possibility of the Covid-19 pandemic becoming uncontrollable and catastrophic catastrophes can be caused if the number of deaths from Covid-19 can be kept in the worst scenario at 500,000.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made conflicting statements with experts and health officials in the country regarding Covisd-19. Photo: AP
Personal medical protective equipment
British Health Minister Matt Hancock on 11 April declared: “The main challenge comes from the distribution of personal protective equipment and not from the provision. The unprecedented low level of distribution of personal protective equipment has caused many difficulties in preventing Covid-19.
Exactly a week later, the Minister of Housing, Community and Local Government, Robert Jenrick said: “The provision of personal protective equipment, especially protective clothing and some types of masks , there is a serious shortage at this time and frontline health workers are very worried. However, they need to understand that we are doing our best to resolve the situation and provide them with all the necessary medical equipment. ”
Wearing a mask in public has been deemed unnecessary by British officials. Photo: AP
Use masks in public places
British Medical Deputy Director Jonathan Van Tam said on April 3, "From very strong evidence and from the recommendations of the British Government, we do not encourage people to wear masks in public places."
According to Professor Jonathan Van Tam, wearing a mask is a "cultural form" of Southeast Asian countries and there is no evidence that this helps prevent the spread of Covid-19: "This is a problem." controversial topic during the past 15 years in preparing for prevention. "
“I called a colleague, Professor in Hong Kong, who had just completed a review of scientific evidence on the impact of masks on disease prevention for the World Health Organization (WHO) and We agree that there is no evidence that wearing a mask has a positive effect on preventing the spread of disease. What is more important now is our focus on implementing social spacing. ”
Meanwhile, on April 30, British Prime Minister Borish Johnson emphasized: “I think that Sage (Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies) made the recommendation and obviously I agree with the plan. radiating them. I also think that wearing masks is necessary not only for reasons of preventing diseases but also for people to be confident that they can return to work as before. ”
