At last, Boris calms deadly virus concerns
DURING the anxious days of the Second World War, the British people subscribed to one morale-boosting aphorism: Keep Calm and Carry On.
Not even Boris Johnson’s most slavish disciples could sensibly argue he channelled Churchill yesterday while putting the country at battle stations to fight the coronavirus outbreak.
But the Prime Minister made absolutely clear he has no doubt the public, imbued with an indomitable bulldog spirit, will meet the onerous challenges thrown up by the virulent disease.
Not before time, he appeared before the nation to spell out exactly how the Government intends to keep its citizens safe from the most serious public health scare for a generation – 51 infected so far.
Britain, he warned, must hope for the best but prepare for the worst. And the worst is very bleak indeed.
In a severe Covid-19 epidemic, says Downing Street, normal life would be disrupted almost beyond recognition.
Up to four in five people could fall sick, with vast numbers dying. Millions would be absent from work – harming business.
Public services would come under extreme pressure, with the NHS scrapping countless operations and care homes in crisis.
Police would respond only to grievous crimes and riots (although exasperated critics might say, not uncharitably, that’s already the case).
To curb the contagion, schools could be closed. Public gatherings – such as the VE Day celebrations and the London Marathon – banned. And even martial law- style lockdowns introduced in cities.
Of course, none of this may come to pass. The illness, spawned in a market selling live beasts for the cooking pot in China, might prove less deadly than normal winter flu.
But by treating the public like grown-ups, and communicating the drastic – but sensible – restrictions that may need to be imposed, Boris finally offered the leadership for which Britain has been crying out.
Impressively authoritative, he reassured an increasingly jittery country that matters were firmly in hand – staving off panic.
It begs the question: Why in Heaven’s name has it taken him so long to confront head-on arguably the sternest challenge of his stint in No10?
(Now, this paper respectfully suggests, perhaps the PM can find space in his diary to visit the stricken winter flood victims as well as spending time with his wife-to-be at his official country mansions.)
His prudent contribution contrasts starkly to Nicola Sturgeon’s. The preposterous SNP leader claimed Scotland’s failing NHS, which she runs, could cope with an extra 250,000 coronavirus patients on the wards.
When people die from inhaling a fungus from pigeon droppings at its newest hospital, this simply doesn’t wash.
While the Government appears to have robust plans to tackle the health emergency, it must also toil to avoid economic collapse. Stock markets are plunging and businesses have been damaged. Demand is falling and countless firms risk going bust. Some experts predict the epidemic will trigger a 2008-style credit crunch.
So it is relieving (if not surprising) to hear Bank of England governor Mark Carney calm nerves by pledging ‘all necessary steps’ to support Britain’s straining economy.
To stimulate demand, he has hinted at an interest rate cut. That would be welcome. Chancellor Rishi Sunak could aid recovery in next week’s Budget by lowering taxes.
Mind you, tackling coronavirus isn’t just the responsibility of governments and banks. Everyone can do their bit.
The greatest defence against a menace that could potentially ruin innumerable lives is the simplest: Wash your hands more.
If we all pull together, conjuring up a spirit of national unity, Britain can indisputably defeat this viral enemy.