Jonathan Van-Tam

I ❤️ JVT. He is, to me, the voice of calm, experience and reason in this maelstrom of a pandemic.

I`ve been very impressed with Professor Van-Tam recently, but only found out last week that he is a son of our very town here, Boston. A very intelligent man, and human with it.

He was the only one to publicly denounce Dominic Cummings' behaviour during one of the briefings.

Urmstongran Me to.

The questions would perhaps have to be vetted to eliminate the policy and political questions. As he said in the ZOOM recording, he can answer the science ones.

Not sure if there would be enough science question for him for a daily briefing slot but a weekly one would be a reassuring tonic.

I'm always disappointed if he's not one of the medics/scientists at a briefing. He talks sense.
I know its frivolous but I do like to see him wearing his suit with the broad stripes. He looks like a 1930s bandleader. He must be quite a small chap as I see he stands in a box at his lectern.
Again. Sorry for bring frivolous. I'm a big fan.

On a box not in!!

muse

Urmstongran Me to.

The questions would perhaps have to be vetted to eliminate the policy and political questions. As he said in the ZOOM recording, he can answer the science ones.

Not sure if there would be enough science question for him for a daily briefing slot but a weekly one would be a reassuring tonic.

He wouldn't need to answer technical science questions, but interpret scientific issues for people who don't seem to get it. He doesn't preach, but nor does he make light of the situation and make false promises.

He talks sense.
He has said he tries out his turns of phrase and metaphors on his wife first

I like the way he peers over the top of his specs.

That did sound frivolous but yes, he does speak sense.

I love JVT .... and also the Army Brigadier Phil Prosser .... both of them fill me with confidence and reassurance.

Another fan of JVT

Regarding the 'calling out' of Dominic Cummings: I heard that the Chief Nurse did that in practice briefings and that is why she was dropped.
If true - did JVT say nothing during the practice so he could say it in public - or did they feel he was too popular to drop?
And I'm a fan too, but I think a lot of policy shows the absence of nurses.

Man arose, JVT was dropped for quite a while after he said that the rules applied to everyone in response to a question about DC’s trip to Barnard Castle. The government eventually had to bring him back.

Sorry Nannarose!

Nannarose

Regarding the 'calling out' of Dominic Cummings: I heard that the Chief Nurse did that in practice briefings and that is why she was dropped.
If true - did JVT say nothing during the practice so he could say it in public - or did they feel he was too popular to drop?
And I'm a fan too, but I think a lot of policy shows the absence of nurses.

Thought there would be a clip somewhere. Yes and I've just listen to it again. The actual question hasn't been recorded just the answers.

Quote: Asked whether people in authority should obey the rules imposed in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic, Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, said: 'In my opinion the rules are clear and they have always been clear. In my opinion they are for the benefit of all. And in my opinion they apply to all.'

Perhaps the Chief Nurse actually named Cummings.

I think his dad was PM of Vietnam.

I think it was his Grandfather, kircubbin.

Grandfather. His father was a maths teacher at Boston Grammar School.

Yes, that makes sense. Thank you

Urmstongran

I ❤️ JVT. He is, to me, the voice of calm, experience and reason in this maelstrom of a pandemic.

Same here Urmston!

Nannarose

Regarding the 'calling out' of Dominic Cummings: I heard that the Chief Nurse did that in practice briefings and that is why she was dropped.
If true - did JVT say nothing during the practice so he could say it in public - or did they feel he was too popular to drop?
And I'm a fan too, but I think a lot of policy shows the absence of nurses.

Watching his body language during that briefing I’m pretty sure that they weren’t expecting him to do what he did. You could see him physically gearing himself up to dropping a bombshell. We didn’t see him again for ages. I think they only brought him back when they realised that they needed someone up front that people trusted. He did get it wrong about mask wearing, though, so I don’t necessarily take everything anyone says as gospel. I do think he’s wonderful, though.

I’ve always believed that mask wearing wasn’t encouraged at the beginning as they were worried that there would be panic buying and hoarding, leading to shortages for medical and caring staff.

The WHO said that masks didn’t work.