A commuter covers her face in London. Photo / AP
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged all Brits to work from home where possible and to avoid eating out, after the government's controversial plan to tackle the coronavirus with "herd immunity" sparked fear and fury.
More than 1,500 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed across the UK and 53 people have died, making it one of the top 10 worst outbreaks in Europe.
But the government has been slow to implement the same kind of tough social distancing measures its European neighbours, including Italy, Spain and France, have adopted, such as a ban on mass gatherings and shutting down restaurants, museums and all non-essential shops.
On Friday, the government's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, told BBC Radio 4 that one of "the key things we need to do" is to "build up some kind of herd immunity so more people are immune to this disease and we reduce the transmission".
Sir Patrick Vallance, the govt chief scientific adviser, says the thinking behind current approach to #coronavirus is to try and "reduce the peak" and to build up a "degree of herd immunity so that more people are immune to the disease". #R4Today
— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) March 13, 2020
More: https://t.co/1FmqX3WPh7 pic.twitter.com/pMHknCAobr
Herd immunity is when a large proportion of the population – particularly younger and healthier people – catch the virus, recover, and build up their immunity in order to help protect older, more vulnerable citizens from contracting the disease.
But more than 200 scientists then wrote an open letter to the government urging it to reconsider the "risky" plan, saying it could cost lives and put unnecessary stress on the National Health Service (NHS).
"Going for herd immunity at this point does not seem a viable option, as this will put NHS at an even stronger level of stress, risking many more lives than necessary," the letter said.
"By putting in place social distancing measures now, the growth can be slowed down dramatically, and thousands of lives can be spared. We consider the social distancing measures taken as of today as insufficient, and we believe that additional and more restricted measures should be taken immediately, as it is already happening in other countries across the world."
NEW: An open letter has been signed by 229 UK scientists saying the government's current approach to #COVID19 will put the NHS under additional stress and "risk many more lives than necessary" 👇 pic.twitter.com/V6wrqk2ZIm
— Rob Powell (@robpowellnews) March 14, 2020
Epidemiologist William Hanage, who researches and teaches the evolution of infectious diseases at Harvard's Chan School of Public Health, said when he heard about the UK government's herd immunity plan, he thought it was a joke.
"My colleagues here in the US, even as they are reeling from the stumbling response of the Donald Trump administration to the crisis, assumed that reports of the UK policy were satire – an example of the wry humour for which the country is famed. But they are all too real," he wrote in The Guardian on Sunday.
He likened the strategy to ignoring a house fire.
"Your house is on fire, and the people whom you have trusted with your care are not trying to put it out," he said.
"Even though they knew it was coming, and could see what happened to the neighbours as they were overwhelmed with terrifying speed, the UK government has inexplicably chosen to encourage the flames, in the misguided notion that somehow they will be able to control them."
School teachers and parents also reacted with fury on social media, threatening to walk off the job and keep their children at home, with the government yet to officially shutter schools and nurseries.
On Monday morning, #COVID-19Walkout was trending on Twitter as residents decided to take matters into their own hands.
"I don't want to stay at home, but I'm doing what is right for my family's health. This is a serious issue and the government isn't taking it like that. Do what's best for you. Please shut schools before it's too late," one wrote.
"Please! My mum is a teacher in her 60s, coming home to my dad in his 70s. As much as Boris finds them disposable, they're the only family I've got and they deserve a damn sight more than being written off to balance his books," another wrote.
the virus isn't supposed to be gone from the uk until spring 2021 with 7.9m people hospitalized and this literal clown is asking us to stay 1.5 meters away from each other but still sends us into SCHOOLS?! i'm out #covid19walkout
— eve (@backtobil) March 16, 2020
I commend all the kids planning a #Covid19Walkout, in normal circumstances school is important but these aren't normal circumstances and with a negligent government, you have to do what's best for your health and the health of your family.
— beffy the vampire slayer🧛🏼♀️🎃 (@beffybadbelly) March 16, 2020
My mum home schooling my sister as she has asthma and we don’t want to take the risk #Covid19Walkout pic.twitter.com/3gL9zLzoPo
— wut (@Amy30238218) March 16, 2020
I love school and my subjects. I have A Levels this year and coursework which I cant complete at home. No I don't particularly want to be shut inside my house.
— 𝔤𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔢 (@purblegrace) March 16, 2020
But I know it's what HAS to be done to stop the mass spread of a virus which will and is killing people.#Covid19Walkout
Today my children will be helping to keeping the most vunerable safe.
— Donna Dunn (@Donna_Dunn_) March 16, 2020
By staying home from school.
We also decided over a week ago to cut contact with vunerable family members, Gandparent over 70,
Grandparent with cancer,
Aunty with kidney failure. #StaySafe #Covid19Walkout
On Monday afternoon, Mr Johnson then announced all British citizens should work from home where possible and avoid going to pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues to help stop the spread of the virus. But no official ban will be imposed just yet, he said.
"It looks as though we are approaching the fast growth part of the upward curve," he explained, after chairing another emergency COBR meeting.
The UK government will also no longer "support" mass gatherings and has advised people over the age of 70 to isolate themselves for 12 weeks.
"Now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel," Mr Johnson said.
Mr Vallance added that the government would consider closing schools, but only at "the right stage" of the outbreak.
Hotels and private hospitals may also be requisitioned so they can be turned into emergency treatment centres, according to an ITV report. The UK military could also be placed on standby to act where needed.
The new, ramped up measures come as Downing Street says it now plans to address the media every day to explain the government's next steps and ensure people are informed.
"The Prime Minister and this Government are committed to keeping the public informed every step of the way about what we're doing to fight the spread of coronavirus, when we're doing it and why we're doing it," a spokesman said on Monday.
"At all times we will be led by the science to bring forward the right responses at the right time to this global pandemic."
The manufacturing industry has also been urged to ramp up production of essential medical equipment for the NHS, such as ventilators.
"We are going to need a massive community response," health minister Matt Hancock told the BBC . "Every single person in this country is going to be affected."
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