At the start of the coronavirus outbreak, countries were urged by the World Health Organisation to make testing a priority.
Some nations, such as Germany and South Korea, quickly set up programmes to test and track the transmission of Covid-19. Our Government has now thankfully woken up to the need for this approach.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday claimed that tracing was “critical” to keeping the virus under control. Yet, just a few weeks ago we were told that tracing not appropriate.
While the change of heart is welcome, the public will want convincing that the Government, which has a poor record on delivering PPE, has the ability to implement this new “test, track and trace” strategy.
Ministers are still reluctant to provide a route map out of the lockdown.
This is in stark contrast with Scotland’s Nicola Sturgeon, who yesterday explained the trade-offs involved in lifting the restrictions. We could do with such honesty from our politicians in England.
Slashed budget
The shocking rise in knife crime is a human tragedy and a political scandal.
Last year saw the highest number of knife offences since records began. Behind each statistics is a person who lost their life or was seriously wounded. With the focus on Covid-19, this may not get it attention deserves.
But do not let the Government off the hook. The rise in knife crime is the direct result of a decade of austerity, in which police numbers were cut and youth centres were shut.
Boris Johnson is now promising to recruit more police. But the PM deserves no gratitude for simply replacing the number of officers the Tories have cut. The Tories can never again claim they are the party of law and order.
Zimmer of hope
Captain Tom’s heroic and inspiring fundraising walk for the NHS has earned him a special place in the nation’s heart.
Few people are Moore deserving of a Pride of Britain Award than the pensioner who did 100 laps of his garden on a walking frame.
