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Which, if any, Covid-era measures should return? Vote here and tell us why…
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Mask wearing and WFH could once again be widely advocated by ministers, it was revealed today.
Officials have a drawn up a list of ‘softer’ pandemic-era measures which could be rolled out in the event of a full-blown NHS meltdown.
A Whitehall source claimed the measures — which would only be guidance, unlike during the darkest days of Covid — could involve urging commuters to wear masks again on public transport.
They told the i newspaper: ‘It would also make perfect sense to ask people who can work from home to do so if the NHS need us all to support them through this busy period of the year.’
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Health chiefs have already urged people with cold and flu symptoms to wear face coverings and for sick children to be kept off school.
Similar advice has existed ever since the Government opted to press ahead with its ‘Living With Covid’ strategy.
Pictured: People wearing face masks on the London Underground on January 4 after new advice has been given to curb rising infections as flu and Covid number increase
Critics have said there is no ‘good reason to reinstate’ any Covid-esque measures, with Tory MPs calling the pleas to mask up again ‘dystopian’.
Although Britain is seeing a resurgence of Covid, partly fueled by the new XBB.1.5 variant nicknamed ‘the Kraken’, ramped up health messaging has been prompted by the dire situation within the NHS.
The ailing health service is facing record winter pressures due to the ‘twindemic’ of Covid and flu.
Staff shortages and bed-blocking are exacerbating the crisis.
A&E patients have waited up to four days for a bed. Others are treated in cupboards, corridors, meeting rooms and even outside hospitals.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show 1.2million had the virus on any given day in the week up to December 9 in England
Latest Covid daily admission data shows nearly 1,300 people infected with the virus were hospitalised on December 19. The figure is up by a third week-on-week
In other related news…
Covid-style measures COULD return ‘under official plans to save the NHS’: Zealots call for masks in public, WFH by default and return of social distancing as schools tell ill kids to stay away
Rishi Sunak vows to get a grip on NHS crisis in New Year push: PM will give first big speech TODAY trying to show he has a plan to revive UK’s fortunes and boost maths skills – as poll finds he has leapfrogged Keir Starmer as ‘best premier’
‘Kraken’ Covid variant XBB 1.5 already makes up HALF of cases in worst-hit places… so has it reached YOUR area?