Chris Whitty has symptoms

I don't worry about any of them. I like the poster in the window opposite, though. It says 'Help the NHS - Don't vote Tory!'

We are all worrying about Chris Whitty having not heard anything. Anyone worrying about Dominic Cummings?

Yes, I’m worrying about him too. Matt Hancock seemed to recover quickly.

I wonder how Chris is now? We've not heard anything about him since the news that he had symptoms. I am worried about him - I like him!

They have clearly said that the lockdown is to slow the virus so we don't all become ill at the same time. It won't stop it. It's obvious everyone will get it eventually unless they remain in self isolation, which most people can't do indefinitely. I am prepared to do so until there is a vaccine, but I will so miss my dear children and grandchildren until then.

Jane10: the voice of reason. Thank you!

My DD is a Community Nurse. Very, little in the way of PPE has come their way. Their Trust sent out an edict that no nurses should travel home in their uniform (sensible) but when they enquired whether they should attempt to change in their cars, or strip off by the roadside, answer came there none..!! ?
Her manager also requested disposable seat covers, as used in garages, so that they could throw them away before anyone else (e.g. DGC) got into the car - and was met with a puzzled look, and the question, 'What do you need those for?'...!! She says she feels all Ike the poor bloody infantry... I feel furious - and frightened for her ?

Lucky that all three have "mild" symptoms. Interesting to see their sick notes.....

My son and daughter in law are GPs and my grandson works in the surgery, doing clerical work. I worry for them all.

Those videos of the House of Commons debates make it very clear that members of parliament sit almost on top of each other. "No one is invincible," said Boris....

Saw Chris Whitty making a brief national information broadcast and thought has he been given too much TV make up or is he just looking flushed? Now I know the answer.

I hope Jenny Harries doesn't come down with it. She's been standing closer than she should have to others (eg Matt Hancock) and I too like her calm, clear tones.

You said it, you couldnt make it up,I hope Jenny Harries doesnt get it, she is so calm, and explains in simple terms what this is all about and what we should all do.I hope the guys get better soon.

test them, not treat. Predictive text.

Laibek NHS staff in Scotland aren’t all being tested for CV. My dd and eleven of her medic/nurse colleagues have been in isolation for nine days now because no one will treat them.

It just follows on from all the conflicting 'advice' the government have been giving out.

Maybe they are a bit daft (or arrogant).

Seems a bit daft to me that those in charge haven't followed their own rules x

How does the new coronavirus compare to influenza?

fullfact.org/health/coronavirus-compare-influenza/

Panic doesn't get anybody anywhere, but nor does complacency.

A big difference between seasonal flu and this virus is that the most vulnerable are vaccinated against known strains of flu and pneumonia.

Polnan, in answer to your question, the virus lives on cardboard for 24 hours.

I feel sorry for Chris Whitty as a human being and wish him a speedy recovery. However, where his job is concerned, I hold him partially responsible for the fiasco of the government's initial response to this crisis. Precious time was wasted when we could have been on lockdown, as strongly advised by the Italians, for instance. We were also advised by the WHO, who were clearly baffled by our response, and we still aren't following their guidance to test, test, test.

The government accounted for its change of. direction by saying that the scientific data now indicated much higher numbers than previously predicted. Other scientists were saying, before the government's change, that the data was there, and begging them to act. However, we were going to - in Boris's words - "take it on the chin."

And now we hear that NHS staff in Wales and Scotland have been tested for the past week, but English staff have had to wait till next week [although some are being tested in Nottingham today I believe...].

Boris Johnson; so proud of still shaking hands in that hospital, not heading the warnings of what was happening in Italy and Spain, 'losing' the email that would have taken us into the EU procurement for ventilators. I hope all of your wonderful families who are out there doing essential work, be they medics, or care staff, or shop assistants, Police, ambulance, refuse collectors, people who are keeping our electricity supplies going and our water flowing, I hope they all get through this safe and well.

We can stay at home now and avoid it but unfortunately as soon as restrictions are lifted and without a vaccine we will all be vulnerable to a second wave.

Are you sure? 26,000 seems a huge amount

Just found out that Chris Whitty is the eldest son of my English teacher at secondary school in the 50s. He looks nothing like her - she had a mass of red curls! His father was murdered in Athens by terrorists when Chris was young.

So many armchair experts! The sheer logistics of it all are astoundingly complicated. Its amazing what is being done.
Just be glad that we have a functioning health service, economy and a government that is taking expert advice as to what to do and, crucially, when to do it.