Cheltenham Festival - March 10, 2020
More than 60,000 people flocked to the opening of the four-day event. The day before, Sir Patrick Vallance had been put forward to explain that mass gatherings were not a big problem.
So began a national disaster. thetimes.co.uk/article/chelte…
More than 60,000 people flocked to the opening of the four-day event. The day before, Sir Patrick Vallance had been put forward to explain that mass gatherings were not a big problem.
So began a national disaster. thetimes.co.uk/article/chelte…
“one person in a 70,000-seater stadium is not going to infect the stadium. They will infect potentially a few people they’ve got very close contact with.” Sir Patrick said.
The comments were quickly ridiculed on Twitter. In time, the latter’s view proved more correct.
The comments were quickly ridiculed on Twitter. In time, the latter’s view proved more correct.
The organisers of the Cheltenham Festival did take some minor precautions. Bottles of hand sanitiser were placed in the washrooms and around the racecourse.
But these measures, as we know now, proved largely useless against an airborne virus.
But these measures, as we know now, proved largely useless against an airborne virus.
A day later, 3,000 fans came to the UK from Spain to watch Liverpool play Atlético Madrid in an evening Champions League game at Anfield.
Edge Health, a company that analyses NHS health data, has carried out modelling estimating that the two events are linked to a total of 78 additional deaths at nearby hospitals alone.
Projected out at an infection mortality rate of 0.6%, this equates to around 12,900 infections
Projected out at an infection mortality rate of 0.6%, this equates to around 12,900 infections
These events were only the first in the government's disastrous early strategy to tackle Covid-19 through herd immunity. To find out more, read on: thetimes.co.uk/article/chelte…
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