Boris Johnson’s Faith in Coronavirus Advice Sets U.K. Down Own Path
Johnson’s Faith in Coronavirus Advice Sets U.K. Down Own Path
(Bloomberg) --
Boris Johnson says he’s basing the U.K.’s response to the coronavirus on scientific modeling of how it will spread and how Britons will behave in any crisis. But it could still be a political gamble.
The prime minister was asked repeatedly on Monday why he hasn’t followed other European countries by banning mass gatherings and, in Italy’s case, locking down part of the country. Johnson, flanked by his two most senior health and science officials, replied such measures wouldn’t be effective -- at least not yet.
“What’s happening in other countries doesn’t necessarily mirror what’s happening here in the U.K. and that is why we’re following the scientific evidence in the way that we are,” Johnson said at a televised press conference. “It is vital that we take the steps that we think are necessary at the right time.”
The thinking behind the approach is that acting too early, by restricting gatherings or travel, could backfire as people become frustrated and disobey instructions. That might jeopardize efforts to delay the peak of a virus outbreak to the summer, when the state-run National Health Service should be less stretched and more able to cope.
While government officials have been reluctant to criticize measures adopted by other countries, they have pointed out that Italy, unlike the U.K., banned flights from China -- and didn’t manage to prevent an outbreak.
The risk for Johnson is if his approach fails, or is perceived to have failed, and coronavirus cases soar, he might be accused of dragging his feet.
For now, the government has said it will increase screening of at-risk patients and at some point in the next two weeks will step up plans for people with respiratory conditions to self-isolate, as part of a shift from trying to contain the outbreak to delaying its spread.
“This is clearly going to continue to be a big national challenge, and I think it is going to grow and become an even bigger national challenge,” Johnson said. “We know how to defeat it, and I think with a great national effort, we will be able to pull together and do just that.”
--With assistance from Olivia Konotey-Ahulu and Eddie Spence.
To contact the reporter on this story: Stuart Biggs in London at sbiggs3@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tim Ross at tross54@bloomberg.net, Thomas Penny, Robert Hutton
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