Questions
Do you see the deaths in social care inevitable ? It is a vulnerable group,we are trying to help them
Witty,this is an age group and medical problems are a vulnerable group,the ONS data will be a underestimate but recorded covid deaths are "modest",sadly there will be a high number in this group,we are doing everything we can with testing and PPE
Oversees nurses are paying a surcharge to be here,can we waive their charges?,it is being looked at,we pay tribute to them
PPE,when will shortages be resolved? Whitty,it is very tight at the moment,close to the line,at a national level we are not under water ,there is local shortages still though,managing as best as possible,i check this all the time
Restrictions eased in may ? We go with the data no plans yet to share
Comeback question,we are not silly ,can you give us a roadmap like other countries ?
Have to get the evidence first and trying to stop a damaging second spike
Are you underusing the military,there are a lot on standby ? Deploying resources by skill levels,engineers etc first
Helping with pop up testing station
Do they have PPE ? Yes
Portland down have the antibody testing skills but no very good tests available yet,critical to get this info right
Advice on face masks ? SAGE are still looking at it,no change till we have their advice
To whitty,are their medical targets before easing lockdown?
Cannot allow the R to get above one,if it goes above it will spread quickly,we are going to live with this for a long time,keeping the number down is the minimun requirement,have to look a few factors to ease restrictions
Will uk people get vaccine first if it is discovered and made here ? The vaccine has to go into big trials then manufactured,not a straight foward question
No vaccine will be available in the next calendar year (whitty)we have other drugs we are testing in the meantime and social distancing
Contract tracing ? Boosting testing,looking at the app that is available,wider trackibg and tracing,that info will help us get key workers back to work,looking for areas that the virus is taking off again
Do you think people would use the app and what about those without smart phone given privacy issues? Yes think the public understand we have to use everything we can