This is our generation’s polio, says professor who helped save his life
A LEADING doctor who helped save Boris Johnson’s life has likened coronavirus to ‘this generation’s polio’ and warned it will have longterm effects on patients.
In the first week of lockdown, Professor Nicholas Hart, an expert in respiratory and critical care medicine, tweeted: ‘Covid-19 is this generation’s polio. Patients have mild, moderate and severe illness.
‘Large numbers of patients will have physical, cognitive and psychological disability post critical illness that will require long-term management. We must plan ahead.’
On March 22, the day before the UK went into lockdown, Professor Hart had posted: ‘A plea for help. I have been working for 18 hours a day, like many others, to ensure we can protect all our patients and all our fabulous NHS team.
‘Coronavirus is a serious illness and I want everyone to take care and stay safe and this requires you to please stay inside.’
The Prime Minister credits Professor Hart and consultant Dr Nick Price with helping him to overcome the virus.
After Mr Johnson gave his son the middle name Nicholas after them, the doctors said they were ‘honoured and humbled to have been recognised in this way’.
Polio is a viral illness which can cause paralysis and death. There has been a global eradication drive but it still affects Asia and Africa.