“Do you think you’ll be able to look after a constituency. You don’t even seem to be able to look after yourself.”

Shambolic charm has worked for the PM all his life, but facing the worst public health crisis in a century, it rapidly loses its appeal. /1
The govt knew about #COVID19 at the start of January.

Here, @MattHancock says he realised it was “the single biggest issue that& #39;s about to hit us.”

“Did you tell the Prime Minister? @KayBurley asks.

“Yes,” he replies. “I told him right at the start.”
/2
A month after the first warnings, the PM mentions #coronavirus.

Is he concerned thousands may die?

No. His worry is that it could trigger reactions “that go beyond what is medically rational to the point of doing real & unnecessary economic damage.”
/3
Whilst the #GreenwichSpeechhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👆" title="Up pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Up pointing backhand index">on 3 Feb offered a hint of govt #COVID19 strategy to come, @BorisJohnson made it more explicit on 5 March when he told @Schofe:

"One of the theories is that perhaps you could take it on the chin, take it all in one go.”
/4
Herd immunity is a form of indirect protection from infectious disease that occurs when a large % of a population gets immunity, via previous infections or vaccination.

As an “outcome” #HerdImmunity makes sense.

As a “strategy” it will kill thousands.
/6
It was a massive gamble on an unknown disease:

- take it on the chin
- gain herd immunity
- restart the economy without the need for repeated lockdowns

With #HerdImmunity, testing & tracing aren’t so important.

Maintaining infection rates is vital.
/7
#COVID19 wasn’t “an unexpected & invisible mugger”

We were warned
by scientists
by WHO
by intelligence reports
by Exercise Cygnus
by Italy & Spain

Our govt made a political decision

It chose - & is STILL choosing to pursue - a #HerdImmunity strategy
8/
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