Boris’s gamble

THERE will never be a safe moment to relax the lockdown. It will always be a risk.

Boris Johnson cannot be sure the NHS would not be swamped by a second wave of infections.

He has, though, taken out comprehensive insurance: The expansion of health service capacity was so huge that it can now afford to shut the new 4,000-bed Nightingale Hospital in London and place it on standby.

The PM’s “unlockdown” decision was urgent even before the grim news of two million new benefit claims. Our formerly thriving economy is on its knees, losing billions a day. Huge numbers of jobs have been lost, many permanently.

Matt Hancock’s new “track and trace” app may prove a great addition to the armoury against Covid-19 and we urge every Sun reader to download and use it when available. But we cannot wait for such tactics to bear fruit in the statistics.

We are past the peak. Deaths are on their way down. The NHS was nowhere near being overwhelmed and that looks increasingly unlikely.

The Government must not be swayed by the lockdown’s continued public support. That will evaporate once the long-term economic consequences sink in.

We strongly disagree, though, with those who never thought it necessary — and make spurious comparisons of our death totals against countries of very different sizes and population densities.

And we know what a tough call this is. But easing us imminently back to work and school, using social distancing and masks, is the right one. Yes, an NHS unable to cope would be a catastrophe.

An even greater one is a prolonged lockdown . . . and a nation engulfed by bankruptcies, unemployment and poverty.

What clap-trap

WHAT a golden excuse the lockdown has been for every bossy busybody to exercise their authoritarian urges.

Even so, we never imagined anyone would be mean-spirited enough to moan about the weekly clap for our ­carers — let alone for local councils to act on such petty grievances.

One, however, has issued a warning to tone down the applause and Vera Lynn songs after a single complaint. Another has told a barman his sponsored singalong after the 8pm clap is too noisy.

Do officials simply lack the backbone to tell these whingers to lump it?

Or do they actively enjoy sealing off ­avenues of pleasure?

Telly tragedy

EVEN in these grim times one announcement yesterday was too much to bear:

“We have tried to make Love Island this summer, but it’s just not possible.”

Our hearts are broken.

What will we talk about now?

When will the Queen again address her disheartened nation?

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW

Don't miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.

To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply 'Like' our Coronavirus page.

Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.

Source: Read Full Article