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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Touching tribute paid to man and his dog who died together in fatal collision
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who was killed in a fatal collision last month, alongside his beloved dog, have paid tribute to him.
Andrew Old, 61, had been walking along Greenwood Road in Wythenshawe when he was struck by a vehicle that had been involved in a collision.
He had been waking his ‘lovely’ dog, Liddy, who also died at the scene.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Sunday 9 March but tragically both Andrew and his beloved pet passed away.
Paying tribute to him, Andrew’s family said: “Andrew was our happy go lucky brother and he is so sadly missed by us all.
“We miss his smiles, his laughter, his jokes and his hourly phone calls.
“Words cannot describe the shock and disbelief that we feel due to the loss of Andrew, we are absolutely devastated.
“Andrew tragically died only metres from his home, whilst walking his lovely dog Liddy.
“The only solace we have is that Andrew and Liddy were not alone at such a horrific time and that they were together. Andrew and Liddy will always be in our hearts.”
You can live in a Greater Manchester manor house from the 1700s
Thomas Melia
There’s a manor house which dates back to the 1700s that’s just gone on the market in Greater Manchester.
Now, obviously, we know Manchester is the best place on Earth and, naturally, people have been wanting to live here since the 18th century (and even earlier).
Westerhill House in Ashton is a property that dates back to 1764, and now you could be the next lucky owner to live in this five-bedroom property, which really is a piece of living history.
The legacy of this property spans more than just this country house site, as the previous tenants – who inhabited the house until 1964 – actually provided the rivets for the Eiffel Tower on behalf of their company, Park Bridge Ironworks.
The grand entrance to this 1700’s manor house in Ashton.The hamlet in which this Greater Manchester property resides.Credit: On The Market
One particular room in this manor house features the work of a well-known Mancunian architect, Donald Reeve Buttress, who spent more than a decade at Westminster Abbey until his departure in 1999.
On the estate agent’s website, each room is described as being individually detailed with its specific role in the house, and if you think you don’t have enough space for all your stuff, think again.
This 1700s character manor house has a room for just about anything you could possibly think of, including a billiard room (posh word for pool) and a wine cellar – I know which room I’ll be accidentally getting myself locked in once a week…
This Ashton historical property spans three floors, with the downstairs being the smallest in size with only one room, while the ground floor boasts 10 and the first floor has eight designated rooms.
As you enter the living space, there is an entrance hall that leads to a bigger hall and a staircase; meanwhile, there is a breakout room immediately on the right side leading to a toilet and a dedicated boot room. Handy.
On your left-hand side as you step through the front door, there is another bigger breakout room which hosts the impressive billiard room and seating area, which is a considerably large space.
The conservatory designed by architect from Westminster Abbey.The main hall which leads to various rooms in this 1700s Ashton manor house.Credit: Supplied
Step through to the main hall and you’ll find doors leading to the dining room, kitchen space and a lounge which has an adjoining conservatory.
It’s this very conservatory that was designed by none other than Buttress himself, who worked at Westminster Abbey for 11 years as the ‘Surveyor of the Fabric’.
Any loyal Ashtonians will also be impressed with the stained glass window in the inner hallway, which also happens to contain a depiction of the ‘Black Knight of Ashton-Under-Lyne‘.
Moving upstairs, you find a wide landing which leads to all four bedrooms and three bathrooms, two of which are en-suites.
This 1700s manor house is currently listed for offers in the region of £750,000, and although it may be historic in age and interior, in terms of broadband, the property apparently has super-fast broadband.
The billiard room with adjoining seating area.Curved seating area overlooking the stunning garden space.
Ever get bored of looking around this magnificent and interesting mansion’s four walls? This house is situated in a lovely hamlet located close to Daisy Nook Country Park.
Of course, we understand that a lot of us reading certainly can’t afford a property of this nature, but when the manor house is rooted in this much history, it would be rude not to have a snoop on the official site.
Oh, and if that wasn’t enough browsing for you, there’s a three-bed coach house up for sale in this same exact Ashton hamlet, also dating back to the 1700s. Cool, right?
The Manc -
21st September 2020 
