Thread by @faisalislam

At 2245
PM’s tier-drops: most severe restrictions lasting perhaps months with @lewisgoodall..also is mass testing way out of Tier 3, the “moonshot”, but we hear reservations...
@markurban01 back in Salisbury NHS pandemic winter pressures
@helentbbc on Brexit fish and vet shortage

https://twitter.com/bbcnewsnight/status/1332437175275753473

Here is Lewis on the tier system and some local expert reservations about mass testing as a solution...

https://twitter.com/bbcnewsnight/status/1332461973305516032?s=21

Here’s statement from local health chiefs we reported - boils down to - what are actual published results of Liverpool pilot? How effective are these tests when not in medical hands, & without being used as originally intended for those with symptoms?

https://twitter.com/fph/status/1332445156855967747?s=21

Here’s my interview with one of those local Directors of Public Health on that issue of mass testing effectiveness:

https://twitter.com/bbcnewsnight/status/1332462337375285252?s=21

The document quoted from in question above on original intended use of the tests for those with Covid symptoms, and by “trained clinical lab personnel” cdn.website-editor.net/6f54caea7c6f4a…

Labour frontbencher James Murray stressing that Opposition calling for more support, will consult with Vallance/ Whitty and see economic impact documents before deciding whether to back Government in tier vote next week:

https://twitter.com/bbcnewsnight/status/1332465758530646026?s=21

UCL health expert and iSage member Professor Pagel backed the Governments new, more restrictive tiers, tho expressed some concerns about Christmas relaxation

https://twitter.com/bbcnewsnight/status/1332465919969406976?s=21

The Defence Select chair and senior Tory MP Tobias Ellwood is very concerned about the economic hit from the tier system though, and wants to know why the Nightingale hospitals aren’t being used:

https://twitter.com/bbcnewsnight/status/1332466047342043137?s=21

And spoke to our Helen Thomas about who is going to fold on fish as Brexit trade talks restart, and where that leaves food exporters now having to fill out reams of paperwork, requiring vets sign off, at a time when vets say there aren’t enough of them:

https://twitter.com/bbcnewsnight/status/1332466323440492549?s=21

This is the statement from British Vets association about the number of vets required for these Export HEalth Certificates:

https://twitter.com/britishvets/status/1332465237262553090?s=21

Linking two answers together...
huge amount of focus on what UK fishing fleet can take out of the sea - that’s what sticking point is and those are voices most commonly heard.

Can often get v different take from other parts of fishing industry relying on exporting that catch

Anyway - Lewis is mole-like hero of Friday night - who managed to complete/ ad-lib/ recall from the depths of his memory his script for his video screen explainer, after breaking his glasses about 5 seconds before going live, and not being able to see very much at all...