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1/10
On 23 March @BorisJohnson said:
"I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to."
This was a deliberate deception as I shall show https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-address-to-the-nation-on-coronavirus-23-march-2020
On 23 March @BorisJohnson said:
"I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to."
This was a deliberate deception as I shall show https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-address-to-the-nation-on-coronavirus-23-march-2020
2/10
It is well known that the decision by @BorisJohnson's Government to implement lockdown was based, mainly, on the Imperial College model, set out in "Report 9: Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to reduce COVID-19 mortality and healthcare demand".
It is well known that the decision by @BorisJohnson's Government to implement lockdown was based, mainly, on the Imperial College model, set out in "Report 9: Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to reduce COVID-19 mortality and healthcare demand".
3/10
This is perhaps better known as the Neil Ferguson model, which you can find here:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/medicine/sph/ide/gida-fellowships/Imperial-College-COVID19-NPI-modelling-16-03-2020.pdf
But what did it actually say? Here are some key quotes:
This is perhaps better known as the Neil Ferguson model, which you can find here:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/medicine/sph/ide/gida-fellowships/Imperial-College-COVID19-NPI-modelling-16-03-2020.pdf
But what did it actually say? Here are some key quotes:
4/10
"When examining mitigation strategies, we assume policies are in force for 3 months, other than social distancing of those over the age of 70 which is assumed to remain in place for one month longer." (p.6)
"When examining mitigation strategies, we assume policies are in force for 3 months, other than social distancing of those over the age of 70 which is assumed to remain in place for one month longer." (p.6)
5/10
"Suppression strategies are assumed to be in place for 5 months or longer." (p.6)
"Given suppression policies may need to be maintained for many months" (p.11)
"Suppression strategies are assumed to be in place for 5 months or longer." (p.6)
"Given suppression policies may need to be maintained for many months" (p.11)
6/10
"This means it is difficult to be definitive about the likely initial duration of measures which will be required, except that it will be several months." (p.15)
"This means it is difficult to be definitive about the likely initial duration of measures which will be required, except that it will be several months." (p.15)
7/10
"The major challenge of suppression is that this type of intensive intervention package – or something equivalently effective at reducing transmission – will need to be maintained until a vaccine becomes available (potentially 18 months or more)" (p.2)
"The major challenge of suppression is that this type of intensive intervention package – or something equivalently effective at reducing transmission – will need to be maintained until a vaccine becomes available (potentially 18 months or more)" (p.2)
8/10
"The main challenge of this approach is that NPIs need to be maintained ... for as long as the virus is circulating in the human population, or until a vaccine becomes available. In the case of Covid-19, it will be at least a 12-18 months before a vaccine is available."
"The main challenge of this approach is that NPIs need to be maintained ... for as long as the virus is circulating in the human population, or until a vaccine becomes available. In the case of Covid-19, it will be at least a 12-18 months before a vaccine is available."
9/10
In other words, Johnson's claim of relaxing lockdown rules in 3 weeks "if the evidence shows we are able to" was a deliberate deception. He knew the report on which his decision was based said no such thing - on the contrary, it mentioned the policy being there for months.
In other words, Johnson's claim of relaxing lockdown rules in 3 weeks "if the evidence shows we are able to" was a deliberate deception. He knew the report on which his decision was based said no such thing - on the contrary, it mentioned the policy being there for months.
10/10
@BorisJohnson grossly misled the country then, setting us on a path of socioeconomic collapse. For those of us who read Ferguson's report, we knew then the 3 week statement was false. For those who believed it, you were misled & should demand he resign now.
Over to you.
@BorisJohnson grossly misled the country then, setting us on a path of socioeconomic collapse. For those of us who read Ferguson's report, we knew then the 3 week statement was false. For those who believed it, you were misled & should demand he resign now.
Over to you.
