The Prime Minister needs to conduct his briefings in a manner akin to his roadmap, down the middle of the road. Alarmist headlines do nothing other than provoke speculation on their meaning, leaving interpretations open to diverse translations.
Monday’s Downing Street briefing saw the PM announce ‘his view’ that reopening schools will potentially have an adverse impact on infection rates that could affect the roadmap for lifting restrictions. England’s Deputy Chief Medical Adviser Jenny Harries added to that line saying it was too soon to rule out a fourth wave emerging as a consequence.
These type of comments only fan the flames of concern and yesterday saw a number of Tory MPs, who insist on earlier lifting of lockdown measures being considered, vent their frustration and anger.
Mark Harper, Conservative MP for the Forest of Dean and Chair of the right wing Conservative Covid Recovery Group even reversed his dialogue in reaction saying of the government briefing: “We must be led by data, not dates. The data is outpacing pessimistic assumptions.” Harper has previously ridiculed government data and insisted dates, and the earliest possible ones, being adopted as an irreversible benchmark for relaxing Covid regulations.
Many other conservative MPs voiced alarm at the PM’s tone and that of his scientific and medical advisor’s describing it as negative and unhelpful. Some voiced calls for the easing of lockdown and border controls to be accelerated. Chris Green, the Conservative MP for Bolton West, was succinct and said: “We need to return to normal.”
Speaking after millions of children returned to schools on Monday across England, the PM quoted that the number of people being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 each day was eight times higher than “the lows of last summer”, repeating his message that people must continue to follow the “stay at home” guidance.
England’s Deputy Chief Medical Adviser followed suit saying that infection rates remained at the same levels as in late September, even without the effect of schools returning.
In difficult times it is essential that tone of message is as important as the message itself. People are fatigued and as such susceptible to over react, balance in all things including communication being vital.
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Hospitality & Catering News: PM’s fourth wave warnings spark heated reaction. – 9 March 2021 – PM’s fourth wave warnings spark heated reaction.
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