Tomorrow's @thesundaytimes. Data is clear. Political & societal decisions on what to do extraordinary difficult. Very little room for a middle way that keeps things open & also prevents transmission, illness & COVID/NonCOVID deaths. Needs a national debate https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/no-fudges-we-have-to-get-on-top-of-the-virus-rgqf5gl63

Not possible keep society & economy open as now & suppress transmission,prevent hospitalisations & deaths COVID & non-COVID & pressure on NHS. Anyone suggesting there are easy political decisions or possible to open society & economy & control epidemic is doing a great disservice

Need urgent national debate & political decisions to be made & fairly binary choice:Open up society & economy but accept higher transmission,hospitalisations & deaths vs further restrictions implemented now, reduce transmission, keep schools open & reduce COVID illnesses & deaths

Accept there is a choice in this.But is an urgent choice, leave it a few days or weeks & situation much harder. With good chance of vaccine & drugs within 6mths I favour stronger, further restrictions now,keep schools open, suppress transmission & save lives. Others may disagree

What can't be argued with is: data is crystal clear, trends are clear, choice is now not soon.Every option has trade offs & costs, we need to be honest what those trades off are & their impact on lives,education,jobs,economy, inequalities.I do not believe there is a middle way

These are some of hardest political & societal decisions any country or Govt will ever have to make.Advisors, scientists,commentators,politicians,Govt,Oppositions should not offer simple,unattainable solutions.Need to be honest with choices & honest about impact of decisions.

We face such a choice,we face it now & decisions cannot wait,or be fudged.A consistent strategy for next 6-12mths is crucial,societal support & trust.I know what I would do, also accept there is an alternative,but let us be honest with implications.Very tough time for politicians

As in climate change some will chip away at the data,seek to undermine it & the people who provide data & its interpretation,say we do not know enough.The data is clear.The trends are clear.There are difficult real choices to be made.But not through undermining data or messengers