Self isolation post pinging is posing enormous difficulties for hundreds of thousands of people/businesses across the UK-see below. PM and Chancellor have been pinged but said they’re taking part in a pilot study which will allow them to keep working in Downing St.
https://twitter.com/BBCNewsnight/status/1415999241084878849
This study may well unlock the same privilege for many businesses. But the political risk is clear. The opposition has already sought to emphasise the idea that there’s one rule for ministers and another for everyone else. You’ll be hearing that *a lot* today.
This govt has been at its most vulnerable precisely when that sense has been at its most acute- Cummings, Hancock etc.
On a disease management level hard to see how govt comprehensively refutes charge that they don’t consider self isolation post pinging as being that important.
On a disease management level hard to see how govt comprehensively refutes charge that they don’t consider self isolation post pinging as being that important.
And as quickly as that- a u-turn.
https://twitter.com/natashac/status/1416694038779019267
Politically speaking they did well to nip that in the bud before it consumed them for a day or more. But equally, it does not speak especially well of the political instincts of those in Downing St at the moment that someone/anyone thought that was a good or saleable idea.
Of course that didn’t stop Robert Jenrick being sent out to defend the idea this morning.
Robert Jenrick this morning: “They will be isolating but using the pilot scheme for daily testing which is available for a variety of public sector organisations...the scheme is a well known one...the app is doing what it’s been asked to do.”
Jenrick this am: “it is important that if anybody is contact by NHS track and trace they do take the steps that are required of them...it’s an extremely important part of our way of keeping the virus under control.”
The other way of looking at this episode is that it is unrealistic to continue to expect people who are double vaccinated to self isolate after contact with someone who is infected (who are themselves vaccinated). But that is (for another month) government policy.
ONS say that 25% of those asked to self isolate face financial hardship. It’s already an extremely difficult choice for many. Today won’t have done much to persuade anyone in that position they should absorb that hardship for the greater good. ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulati…
No 10’s actions this morning indicate that their thinking is testing for the double vaccinated is a more sensible policy than current rules on self isolation. That’s a perfectly legitimate view many agree with. The problem is it’s not the policy for everyone else at the moment.
https://twitter.com/lewis_goodall/status/1416722170747707393
Blair: “The system isn’t rational...people are thinking it’s ridiculous. If I’m not pinged I’m able to go into a pub, mix with people with no restrictions whatever. If I’m pinged even though I’m vaccinated and tested, I’ve got to go into isolation.”
Blair: “I don’t want the prime minister of the country to be isolated at the moment, he needs to be at his desk doing his job, if he’s testing and coming back negative. But the point is that system has to be there for everyone.”
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