Coronavirus testing is clearly inadequate and far from the “world-beating” system promised but never delivered by the Prime Minister.
The call by Children’s Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, for routine weekly testing of pupils and teachers to prove schools are safe is understandable but in truth probably impractical – and the Prime Minister will need to work harder to reassure sceptics.
With schools due back within weeks, the education of a generation is an issue of supreme national importance.
Yet the PM and Education Ministers must do more to show practical safeguards are a priority. His insistence on a return demands deeds as well as words.
Schools versus pubs might be a false choice or, if the virus erupts locally and nationally, a call which should come down on the side of education.
Nervous parents as well as pupils and staff demand and deserve reassurance schools will be safe. Sadly, too many feel they’re still waiting.
Keep your cool
Good weather and heatwaves clearly make Covid restrictions more tolerable.
Yet in the summer sunshine, either we keep our distance or the plague will spread and lockdowns will be reimposed.
Nobody should pretend it’s easy to stay apart on beaches, parks, cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Mixed messages from the Government don’t help and most families are no longer clear on what they should and shouldn’t do.
But if we take personal responsibility, we protect to a degree ourselves, families, neighbours, colleagues and communities – whatever strategic mistakes Boris Johnson makes.
Si-cle shocker
Simon Cowell will be heartened by all the kind wishes after breaking his back in a fall from an electric bike in California.
Seeking a healthier lifestyle is not without risk and let’s hope the pop mogul behind BGT and X Factor makes a full and speedy recovery to get back on his feet – and on two wheels.
