It is a huge change in messaging... and the bit which is troubling is exactly the 'moral devolution' aspect. Some thoughts below on how the 'transition' could be better managed. 1/13 https://twitter.com/MatthewdAncona/status/1259395407060316160

I (and I may be in a minority on this) agree with the Govt that the blunt 'Stay at Home' message has to change, if not now, then within a few weeks. 2/13

The Govt want us to be able *not* to stay home, and to enable activities to begin to resume. They, like Govts the world over, are searching for the right mix of policies to enable lockdown measures to be relaxed. 3/13

The challenge, and it is a huge challenge, is to enable activities to resume, while ensuring that the infection and death rate does not begin to climb (or that the R value remains below 1). 4/13

Individual alertness, and individual decisions and choices, *will* play a part in that. It is, imv, right that the messaging should contain an element of 'moral devolution'.

But... that can only be part of the new story. 5/13

The Govt needs to take measures to ensure that it will be safe to end the lockdown. It needs to convince people that what was considered dangerous (and illegal), is now - suddenly - safe. 6/13

So... it needs to demonstrate (eg) why opening schools is safe; whether/how distancing will be maintained; how increased risks will be monitored; what will happen if there are new cases; etc etc. 7/13

It needs to demonstrate how offices can be reopened; how sporting events can occur; how transport systems will operate in a way which does not risk a second peak. 8/13

It needs to explain that none of these things can happen in the same way as they did as recently as February... and that the changes it has made will ensure that the spread does not increase. 9/13

It needs to show how developments in the understanding of the spread of the virus have shaped the new approach (eg re distancing, masks, hygiene measures etc). It should share the information it is using to inform its choices. 10/13

It needs to show how its test/trace/isolate system works, and how it ensures through that system that contact with those infected is minimised, and transmission chains may be broken. 11/13

And it needs to explain how the various measures it takes will be monitored and evaluated - to know whether a rise in cases is due to transmission in hospitals, care homes, schools and/or public transport systems. 12/13

I guess the core point is that increased vigilance will not be enough. Steps have to be taken - by the Govt - to ensure that ending the lockdown really is safe, and to convince people that it is safe. Ends. 13/13