Second coronavirus wave is a “six-month problem” says Professor Chris Whitty
Professor Chris Whitty, England's Chief Medical Officer, and scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, hosted a televised presentation of the recent coronavirus data on Monday morning (21 September).
Professor Chris Whitty has called the second wave of coronavirus in Britain a “six-month problem” – warning that cases could potentially rise to 50,000 per day if trends continue.
“What we’re seeing is a rate of increase across the majority of the country,” he said on Monday.
“As we go through in time, any [region in the UK] which was falling is beginning to rise.
“This is not someone else’s problem; this is all of our problem.
“We have, in a bad sense, turned a corner. The seasons are against us.
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“We should see this as a six-month problem.”
England’s Chief Medical Officer and the government’s Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance delivered the message during a televised presentation on Monday morning (21 September) to address the second wave of coronavirus which has appeared across the UK in recent weeks.
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Looking at other countries to “learn lessons”, Vallance stated: “We’ve seen increase in cases across Europe. It started with younger people in their twenties and spread gradually to older people as well.
“This has translated to an increase in hospitalisations.
“Sadly, but not unexpectedly, deaths are also increasing.”
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The number of cases in Britain is now over 3,000 per day on average; the highest levels seen since May.
But Vallance said this could grow very quickly, and that every age group is now beginning to see an increase in cases.
“I’d like to remind you how quickly this can move,” he added.
“We think the epidemic is doubling roughly every seven days. If that continues unabated… by mid-October we would end up with something like 50,000 cases per day.
“The vast majority of the population remain susceptible and therefore you’d expect spread.”
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Vallance reiterated that whilst this was not a prediction, it should serve as a warning as to what could potentially happen.
Currently, as many as 11 million people in the UK are living under tighter restrictions – which include curbs on socialising and visiting family and friends.
Certain businesses have also had their opening hours reduced, whereas the hospitality sector in Bolton – the town with the highest rate of cases in the country – has been asked to revert to takeaway-only.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously stated that he did not want a national lockdown, but admitted measures would likely have to go further than the recently-imposed Rule of Six.
More local restrictions have been introduced since, and from 28 September anyone who has either tested positive or been contacted by Test & Trace must self-isolate or risk a fine of up to £10,000.
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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps called Monday’s briefing “very stark,” claiming the UK is now at a “tipping point“.
Whitty and Valance were familiar figures in the early part of the pandemic, having flanked the Prime Minister during his daily updates in spring.
Whilst they’ve largely appeared calm and collected, the subject matter of the briefings has meant the pair’s presence on the podium has since come to symbolise the imminent arrival of bad news.
And indeed, the message on Monday was a foreboding one: The UK could be set for a very challenging winter period unless the tide begins to turn soon.
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Law requiring landlords to repair hazards within 24 hours comes into effect
Emily Sergeant
Landlords will now have 24 hours to repair hazards reported to them as a new law comes into effect across England.
The law taking effect today comes after a ‘landmark’ new social housing bill – which was given the Royal Ascent to become law in July 2023 – was proposed and approved in early January last year.
‘Awaab’s Law’ is named after Greater Manchester toddler Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in 2020 as a result of prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home, a coroner ruled back in 2022, and following his death, the Government had been pledging to deliver the new reforms.
But today (Monday 27 October), the first part of the law finally comes into effect.
This means that all social landlords – generally the local council, or a housing association – will from now be required to repair any hazards which are reported to them within 24 hours.
Landlords must also investigate ‘significant’ damp and mould within 10 working days of being notified, and then make properties safe in five working days.
For both types of hazards, they must also write the findings to tenants within three working days of inspection.
On top of that, as part of the reforms, landlords now must also consider the circumstances of tenants which could put them at risk – including young children and those with disabilities or health conditions – and alternative accommodation must also be offered if homes cannot be made safe within the required timeframes.
Awaab’s Law is being called a ‘lasting legacy’ to the two-year-old.
“Everyone deserves a safe and decent home to live in and Awaab Ishak is a powerful reminder of how this can sadly be a matter of life or death,” commented Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, as Awaab’s Law comes into effect today.
“Awaab’s family has fought hard for change and their work to protect millions of tenants’ lives will live on as a legacy to their son.
“Our changes will give tenants a stronger voice and force landlords to act urgently when lives are at risk, ensuring such tragedies are never repeated.”
More of Awaab’s Law will be phased in both next year and in 2027 to make homes safer from more hazards, the Government has confirmed.
Featured Image – GMP / Family Handout
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The Greater Manchester high street that now has THREE great wine bars in a 200m stretch
Daisy Jackson
A popular suburb of Greater Manchester seems to be having a bit of a wine bar moment – and for once, we’re not talking about Stockport.
Prestwich has a buzzing little food and drink scene, and just this week has welcomed a brand-new wine bar.
That brings the total number of wine bars in the village to three – and they’re all in just a 200m stretch of the high street.
The latest addition is Cellar Door, headed up by siblings Ben and Sarah and sitting side-by-side with acclaimed neighbourhood restaurant The Pearl.
Cellar Door joins long-standing favourite Whole Bunch Wines (formerly known as Grape to Grain) and the new-ish Chin Chin, which comes from the same team behind Elnecot in Ancoats.
And beyond that, The Pearl has a ‘wine window’ where they’ll pass your drink out to you to drink on their pavement bistro tables.
If you much prefer a decent glass of wine instead of a pint, Prestwich is becoming the new hotspot for a bar crawl.
Read on for more on each of these brilliant independent businesses.
Cellar Door
Cellar Door is the newest wine bar to open in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group
The newest wine bar on the Prestwich high street is Cellar Door, opened just this month by brother and sister Ben and Sarah.
It’s their first project together and is stocked with more than 200 different wines, plus plenty of beers (including some local names), selected batched cocktails served ice-cold, and a menu of nibbles too.
Spanning two floors, there’s a sunny balcony upstairs for sunnier days, but in the meantime, get cosy in a booth with a glass of something from their VAST vino collection.
Whole Bunch Wines (formerly Grape to Grain) wine shop in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc GroupWhole Bunch Wines (formerly Grape to Grain) wine shop in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group
An ‘off licence with a difference’, Whole Bunch Wines (which used to be known as Grape to Grain) is Prestwich’s original spot for a wine.
Almost a decade old now, Whole Bunch Wines has a proper enomatic wine machine which means you can have a glass of their chosen bottles each week (without committing to a full bottle – though no judgement if you do want to do that too).
They also have a counter stuffed with cheese, meat and fresh bread so you can customise yourself a deli board.
There’s not much better than grabbing a bottle to take away from Whole Bunch, then changing your mind and cracking it open sat on one of the barrel tables outside instead.
Last but definitely not least on this mini wine crawl around Prestwich is Chin Chin.
This lovely spot comes from the team behind Elnecot, who initially opened it as Dokes Pizzeria (but then Rudy’s opened up opposite and honestly, who can be arsed) before pivoting it to be a wine bar.
There’s jazz vinyls playing, an enormous selection of rotating wines, a smart interior of tiled tabletops and moody red paint, and – a weekly highlight for locals – Sunday Sessions with roast dinner-inspired sandwiches and £4 pints.
The Manc -
21st September 2020 
