Samuel Adelaja
UK. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has listed out measures to guide in the easing of the corona-virus lock-down restrictions in-spite of the unbearable massive death rates recorded so far. Nearly 32,000 people in the U.K have died so far in the pandemic.
The prime Minister outlined a series of staggered measures to start a gradual easing of the lockdown in England, which he said would be a conditioned on how diligently the public follows the government’s advice.
In the televised address, the Minister stated that it was the right time to “update” the government’s message in England, from “stay at home” to “stay alert”. He further went on to express his concerns that with the death rate and admissions coming down, it would be “madness” to throw away the achievement by allowing a second spike. At the same time, he said the lockdown measures have come at a colossal loss cost to Britain’s way of life.
Quoting from his speech, Boris stated that “”Millions of people are both fearful of this terrible disease but at the same time also fearful of what this long period of enforced inactivity will do to their livelihoods and their mental and physical well-being”.
Johnson, who himself returned to work last month after been diagnosed with COVID-19, went on to encourage those who will need to return to workplaces to avoid public transportation and to bike, walk or drive instead.
However, Boris was quick to clarify that the devolved governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have power to make their own decisions on a number of matters, including health, and some have already done so.
The address by Boris has however been greeted with mixed feelings from the populace. In a swift reaction, a British Politician and Broadcaster wrote on Twitter: “I think the big change from this much vaunted Presidential-style address is that I can sunbathe.
“Was that really it?”
He added in a separate Tweet: “Never in the field of human statesmanship was so much said to such little effect.”
The outspoken politician wasn’t alone his criticism of Mr. Johnson, with the hashtag #BorisHasFailed trending on Twitter shortly after the speech was aired at 7pm.