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secondOris Johnson’s struggles began no later than Monday night’s press conference. A journalist asked the government’s top scientific adviser, Chris Whitty, if the “three-step system” Johnson just introduced was adequate to slow the spread of corona infections. With a quick sideways glance at the Prime Minister, Whitty said: “I’m not sure, no one is sure that the proposals for the highest level three, if we just follow the basic measures and don’t do more, will be enough to get things down. control . There he was back in the room, the dangerous accusation that Johnson was doing too little, too late – raised by his top adviser, of all people.
For many, this impression was reinforced when an excerpt from Corona’s official advisory committee was published a little later. It was dated September 21 and claimed that scientists had recommended significantly stricter measures three weeks ago. They advised an immediate blockade for a limited time to reduce the level of infection. Johnson should ban members of different households from meeting indoors and close all bars, restaurants and businesses, such as hair salons. On top of that, the scientists hit him on the neck. The test and contact tracking system, which Johnson had touted as a “world leader,” had only a “marginal influence” in slowing infections.
A sign on the other side?
There are only two possible explanations for advertising the newspaper. Either the government hoped the unusual timing of the publication would prevent anyone from noticing, or Johnson deliberately wanted to send a signal the other side. There are those who accuse him of being too gentle. The others, who consider Johnson’s measures too extensive, are not so great in number, but politically at least as dangerous. You sit in the pews of his faction, in the editorial offices of publications related to the conservatives, but also in some offices of the mayor. With the Sept. 21 document, it is now on record that Johnson could have gone much further.
Johnson is clearly trying to get the middle position. Already on Monday, he had argued in front of the parliamentarians that he did not believe in a second blockade or in the idea of leaving the pandemic to its own devices and only protecting groups at risk. Instead of following one of these “extremes”, he opted for a “moderate approach.” Following criticism from the Labor Party, Housing Minister Robert Jenrick said Tuesday that the government may well continue to “listen to the science.” But it is important to make a “balanced judgment” and include all considerations.
The opposition had accused Johnson of having succumbed to the influence of his finance minister, Rishi Sunak. This is said to represent the interests of the economy very successfully internally as well. He is seen as an opponent of Health Minister Matt Hancock, who in turn has a focus on the number of infections.
Discontent in the regions
It is being decided on the street whether Johnson can keep the closure demands at bay. He called on the mayors of the cities particularly affected to ensure that the measures are implemented in place. So far only Liverpool has settled on level three, but other municipalities are likely to follow soon. Discontent can be observed even in regions that only have to meet the requirements of level two.
Andy Street, for example, the mayor of Greater Birmingham, does not think his city is on par with Manchester, although the infection rate there is more than double. In both cities, friends and family who do not live in the same household can no longer meet in bars or restaurants. In Birmingham, however, there is no evidence that the virus is spreading through the restaurant industry, Street says.
The number of infections has increased to more than 14,000 per day and the number of patients is also growing every day. The death rate is ten times lower than in the April peak, but according to the National Statistics Office it doubles every 14 days. The Labor Party on Tuesday accused Johnson of “not going far enough” and Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned against being “too soft” on Johnson in sight. He is now working on a “level four” for Scotland.
