Health nannies’ official advice: Wrap up, it’s cold!
As Britain gets ready for more snow and temperatures of -5c...
PERHAPS they thought they were giving advice to the residents of a sun-kissed tropical island, rather than to Britons shivering in the depths of winter.
For public health officials have told people how to stay safe in the icy weather – with the rather obvious suggestions of wrapping up warm and turning the heating on.
The ‘patronising’ tips were issued by £157,500-a-year Public Health England boss Paul Cosford yesterday, just as the first flurries of snow were set to fall on the eastern side of the country last night.
Forecasters are warning of chilly days with further wintry showers and overnight frosts through tomorrow and over the weekend. Writing on the agency website, Professor Cosford warned: ‘With more cold weather across all parts of England, now is the time to really think how it could impact you and your family, particularly those who are very young, over 65 or who have heart and lung conditions.
‘Try to keep homes heated to at least 18C, stock up on any essential medicine or food that you need before the cold arrives and remember that you will be warmer wearing several thin layers instead of fewer thick ones.’
Prof Cosford, who is the agency’s medical director and director of health protection, spoke after government statistics showed there were 1,000 more deaths than normally expected during last month’s cold spell, which lasted a week. But Conservative MP Philip Davies last night accused him of making ‘a statement of the bleeding obvious’.
He added: ‘Where would we be without Public Health England? Who would have thought that when it’s cold you would need to wear warmer clothes and put the heating on? It makes you wonder why we pay them such high salaries.’ John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘There’s nothing inherently wrong with offering warnings like this but most people will find it deeply patronising and a waste of time.
‘Public Health England is handed millions of pounds every year and rather than offering anything informative or useful, too often we see taxpayers’ money wasted on campaigns and literature.’
The cold snap is being caused by an area of high pressure over Scandinavia dragging freezing air towards the UK.
The Met Office said night-time temperatures are set to fall over the coming days to five degrees below the February average of 2-3C (36-37F). The high pressure will bring overnight lows of -4C (25F) and even colder temperatures in some isolated spots.
Conditions will also feel raw in the daytime, as snow showers affect the North Sea coast, the Pennines as well as Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and East Anglia.
This morning, eastern England and parts of London could even receive up to half an inch of snow, although it is unlikely to be enough to cause disruption.
A weather warning for ice has also been issued for the North East and East of England, until 10am today.
Age UK urged older people to take precautions in the cold weather to keep themselves ‘safe and well’.
The charity’s director Caroline Abrahams said: ‘We’d also urge people to keep an eye on their older family members, friends or neighbours. Picking up some shopping for them or just popping in and having a friendly chat can be a real help at this time of year.’
‘Statement of the obvious’