Country will pray for PM’s speedy recovery

SHORTLY after 8pm yesterday, a shock of seismic proportions was announced by Downing Street.

Boris Johnson, who had been in hospital undergoing medical tests after struggling to shake off coronavirus, had been moved to intensive care.

His condition had deteriorated during the afternoon. For small mercies we are thankful: The Prime Minister was conscious when transferred.

Since the crisis began, our hearts have gone out to every single person who has been stricken down by this cruel disease. Tragically, several thousand – including brave and selfless NHS staff – have lost their lives. But the fact that this wretched infection respects no rank or title could not have been drummed home more starkly than by the grim news that Britain’s leader is desperately poorly.

Like the vast majority of the country, the Mail fervently wishes this extraordinary politician a full and speedy recovery.

Our prayers are with his loved ones, not least his fiancee Carrie Symonds, who is heavily pregnant with their child.

From every corner of the UK – indeed from all over the world – messages of goodwill poured in for Mr Johnson. It was a moving indication of the esteem in which he is regarded.

Only tribal hard-Left ideologues were sufficiently callous to pour vitriol on the man as he languishes in his sickbed. So much for kinder, gentler politics!

Luckily, he could not be in better hands than the selfless doctors and nurses in the Health Service. Earlier in the day, Mr Johnson had sworn he was in good spirits. Was he putting on a brave face? It certainly seems that doctors, alarmed his symptoms weren’t subsiding, feared he might take a turn for the worse.

No 10 had insisted Mr Johnson remained in charge of the Government. It was even suggested he could have ministerial Red Boxes delivered to his bedside.

But someone unwell enough with Covid19 to be admitted to hospital cannot fire on all cylinders. Now, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will deputise.

Since the crisis erupted – and even after catching the malevolent bug – Boris had toiled tirelessly to protect the UK from the pandemic. Yes, there have been slip-ups. Occasionally, he has fallen behind the curve – procrastinating, not purposeful.

Generally, however, he has handled the fast- shifting emergency deftly. Every government on the globe is fumbling blindly for the way to conquer the contagion.

It is a fiendishly demanding responsibility for a person in rude health. For one laid low with the nocuous virus, it was surely impossible. With Mr Johnson in intensive care, we must hope he pulls through. Once he is out of danger, it is imperative he takes time off to convalesce and get match fit.

For everything is in train. A draconian lockdown is established. Social distancing is (fingers crossed) beginning to turn the tide. The Chancellor has launched a monumental lifeboat to rescue stricken businesses and prevent a tidal wave of job losses.

And an exacting plan to test 100,000 people a day for coronavirus is in motion.

How Covid-19 has turned the world upside down! For once, the Mail and Tony Blair are aligned – over the need to appoint a masstesting minister, supported by big players in business, industry and science, to grip the fiasco. Whether these measures bear fruit won’t be known for a couple of weeks.

Now the PM has handed over the reins of power, he must focus on recovering fully.

To a supportive public, it won’t be a sign of weakness that he has had to delegate. They will beseech he is soon on the mend.

The battle against this vile virus is going to be onerous. When Mr Johnson returns to the fray, he must be in the best of health – for his own sake and the country’s.