‘Zero’: how the UK papers covered a day without a…

‘Zero’: how the UK papers covered a day without a single reported Covid death

UK newspaper front pages on Wednesday 2 June Composite: Various

Good news is broadcast across Wednesday’s front pages, as editors seize a rare opportunity to report on hope in the battle against the coronavirus.

Many papers suggest that the first day without a single Covid death for 10 months means the complete easing of lockdown restrictions will go ahead in England as planned on 21 June.

The Daily Express says simply “Zero” in large letters, adding that “hopes have been boosted for Freedom Day go-ahead”.

Tomorrow's front page: ZERO - UK records no Covid deaths for first time since pandemic began.#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/A7dk2Op0Nz
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) June 1, 2021

The Daily Mirror takes a similar tack with the headline “Zero Covid deaths in the UK” but warns in its story that thousands of fresh daily cases have led to calls to delay the easing of restrictions.

Tomorrow's front page: Zero Covid Deaths In The Uk #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/xzFDlfdqzw pic.twitter.com/ZoDakIJMGJ
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) June 1, 2021

The Daily Telegraph says Boris Johnson is now under pressure to lift restrictions on 21 June. It notes with concern the move by Nicola Sturgeon to slow an easing of Covid measures in parts of Scotland. Leader writer Philip Johnston cites the example of Melbourne to argue against trying to eliminate Covid for fear of creating a “perpetual to-ing and fro-ing” out of restrictions. (The Australian state of Victoria has been in a week-long lockdown to tackle a fast-spreading outbreak – you can read more here.)

The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:

'PM under pressure to deliver on June 21'#TomorrowsPapersToday

Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/6kHipqPNTS
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 1, 2021

The Guardian marks the good news across the bottom of its front page, but focuses on concerns the £1.4bn programme to help children catch up at school post-Covid is not enough.

Guardian front page, Wednesday 2 June 2021: Covid tuition catch-up plan dismissed as 'inadequate' pic.twitter.com/ynhcHUdCjv
— The Guardian (@guardian) June 1, 2021

The Times also features concerns about the education package but gives the zero deaths story the biggest treatment. “Fresh hope for June 21 as deaths fall to zero” it says, but does note that this may just be a blip as a result of the bank holiday weekend.

TIMES: Fresh hope for June 22 #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/qszrKSfvks
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 2, 2021

The Daily Mail has a two-part headline: “Zero deaths .. nothing to fear from freedom”. It reports the existence of “an insidious campaign” to delay the easing of restrictions and makes clear to Johnson that he should resist such calls.

Wednesday's @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/aLf1GWjpUr
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) June 1, 2021

The i carries health secretary Matt Hancock’s joy that the vaccination programme appears to be working, and his warning for people to keep following the rules. “Hopes rise for 21 June after zero UK deaths” is the headline. It also includes the line that the UK is to buy an AstraZeneca vaccine adapted to tackle the Beta variant (the one first found in South Africa).

Wednesday's front page: Hopes rise for 21 June after zero UK deaths #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/nBA70twY6I
— i newspaper (@theipaper) June 1, 2021

Metro goes straight with “Not a single Covid death in UK” but reports a doubling of daily cases in the space of a month, and Sturgeon’s decision to slow the easing of Covid measures.

Tomorrow's paper tonight 📰

NOT A SINGLE COVID DEATH IN THE UK 👏

🟥 The first time since start of pandemic
🟥 But scientists urge caution as cases rise
🟥 And Scots slow down lockdown easing #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/OzjTj3RNlL
— Metro (@MetroUK) June 1, 2021

In Scotland, the Daily Record cannot resist an 80s band reference with “Tiers for beers” as it reports that Glaswegians will be permitted to drink inside from Saturday as part of a move to level 2 restrictions.