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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David Dixon / Geograph
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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Heartbreaking new figures show 35% of all children in the North West are living in poverty
Emily Sergeant
35% of all children in the North West are currently living in poverty, some heartbreaking new figures have revealed.
Some new research carried out to understand regional levels of child poverty, conducted by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition, has sadly revealed over a third (35%) of all children in the North West are living in what is called ‘relative poverty’, after the cost of housing is considered – which is higher than the national average standing at 31%.
Over in the Lancashire authority of Pendle, this figure reaches 45%, making it the second highest rate of all local authorities in the country.
In Greater Manchester, both Oldham and Manchester join Pendle in the list of the 10 council areas with the highest child poverty rates in the UK, as well as Blackburn with Darwen, and Hyndburn, and to make matters worse, the North West features on the list more times than any other region nationwide.
Rusholme was identified as the Manchester area with the highest percentage rating – with more than half (51.3%) of all children there living in poverty.
88% of constituencies across the North West have a quarter of children in poverty.
This could lead to things like families being forced to use food banks, children going without warm clothes in winter, or living in cold or unsafe housing.
As a result of these shocking statistics being revealed, the End Child Poverty Coalition – which represents more than 135 organisations across the UK – is calling on the Government to meet its manifesto commitment to address these high levels of child poverty, not just in the North West but also across the rest of country.
“These figures should demonstrate to Government just how important it is to quickly address this so to prevent another generation of children from growing up in low-income families,” commented Rachel Walters, who is the End Child Poverty Coalition Manager.
“The Government’s strategy to tackle child poverty must invest in children in areas with higher levels of poverty, like the North West.”
Graham Whitham, who is a End Child Poverty Coalition spokesperson and the Chief Executive of Resolve Poverty, added: “No child should go without the things they need to be healthy and happy.
“The Government’s forthcoming national Child Poverty Strategy must demonstrate a clear ambition to ending child poverty in this country, backed by specific targets and immediate investment in social security.”
Featured Image – RawPixel
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Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road to close for annual safety checks this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road is set to close this weekend while annual safety checks are carried out, it has been confirmed.
As Manchester City Council looks to maintain and improve what is, by far, one of Manchester’s busiest and most-used roads, given the fact it is the main thoroughfare in and out of the city centre, it has been confirmed that Mancunian Way is set to close overnight this weekend for its annual inspection.
Carried out every year, the Council explains that these closures ensure that ‘vital’ safety inspections can be conducted to allow the major road to continue operating as normal.
The overnight closure will take place from 7-8 June.
From 5am on Saturday (7 June), Mancunian Way will be closed in both directions along its entire length, including all slip roads, between the Chester Road roundabout and Fairfield Street, and this will last until 7pm on Sunday (8 June), after which the road will be open to traffic again as normal.
In the meantime while the closures are underway, the Council assures that a signed diversion route will be in place via the north and eastern ring road sections – Trinity Way and Great Ancoats Street – and a local diversion route will be signed via Bridgewater Street, Whitworth Street West, Whitworth Street, and Fairfield Street.
Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road Mancunian Way is closing for annual safety checks this weekend / Credit: Pixabay
During this period there will also be a lane closure east/westbound at the Deansgate Interchange between 6:30-9:30am, and the inbound lane of Princess Road (heading towards Manchester) between 6:30am and 11:15am.
As is to be expected with these kinds of tasks, Councillors say they are preparing for a ‘level of disruption’ but are intending to keep it to a minimum.
“The annual inspection of the Mancunian Way is a vital job which ensures that the tens of thousands of daily users of this road can go about their journey in safety,” explained Councillor Tracey Rawlins, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment, and Transport.
“We do expect a level of disruption throughout this process so wherever possible we’d advise people to travel via public transport, or plan an alternate route ahead to avoid the work locations.
The Manc -
21st September 2020 
