"Politically motivated"? Johnson "bet" on the peak of the epidemic in the UK, announcing the relaxation of restrictions

Source: Global Times

[Global Times report] Judging that the epidemic caused by Aumechjong has reached its peak in the UK, the Johnson government announced on the 19th that from the 27th, it will no longer force the public to wear masks and will not force the use of "health passes". British Health Secretary Javid also said through a press conference that the UK has opened a new chapter in the fight against the new crown virus. This change is based on the smooth progress of the vaccine enhancement program, extensive testing, the continued decline in the number of confirmed cases and "the judgment of scientists", but in the UK, the decision has sparked different opinions. Some people welcome, some people worry. There are voices talking about the UK's new daily life towards "coexistence with the new crown virus", and some media have described this decision as "gambling" or "big gambling". As Johnson is facing the toughest challenge since he came to power in 2019 – being forced to step down from the party inside and outside the party due to the "party door" scandal, many analysts believe that his decision to relax the epidemic prevention measures is more like "political reasons", that is, to cater to conservatives and thus retain his prime ministerial throne.

Johnson infographic. Image source Visual China

A 'new chapter' in the UK's fight against the pandemic

On the 19th, Johnson announced in the House of Commons that from now on, people will no longer be required to work from home, the epidemic prevention "Plan B" will end on the 26th, in public places, people will no longer be mandatory to wear masks, and the "health pass" will be abolished. Johnson also said he intends to roll back the self-isolation of confirmed cases at home in the coming weeks, which was supposed to expire on March 24.

Johnson said that the UK's COVID-19 vaccination booster vaccination program is progressing well, more than 90% of people over the age of 60 have been given a third injection, the infection rate has declined for several consecutive weeks, "our scientists believe that the Opichron wave may now have peaked across the country". However, he also warned that the epidemic is not over and that people should remain vigilant in the final weeks of winter.

Later in the day, Health Secretary Javid officially announced the policy change. "The measures we are announcing today are a major milestone." "But it's not the end of the road and we shouldn't look at it as the finish line," Javid said. He said it was necessary to "learn to live with COVID-19" as it did with seasonal flu, and the government would develop a long-term plan to co-exist with COVID-19 within a few months, which could eventually include ending mandatory self-isolation requirements for those who tested positive for COVID-19.

As one of the most affected countries in Europe, the Uk has accumulated more than 150,000 deaths from COVID-19 on the 8th of this month. At the beginning of this month, the number of confirmed cases in the United Kingdom exceeded 200,000 in a single day, and then gradually declined, and the daily increase in confirmed cases announced on the 19th was 108,000. In the week ending 15 January, 3.5 million people in the UK tested positive, down from 4.3 million in the previous week. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the number of confirmed cases in the UK has fallen by about 1/5 per week. Since no screening was carried out, random sampling was carried out and the data were considered to be relatively accurate. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 patients across the UK are also declining. Hospital admissions in England fell 10 per cent from a peak in early January, with the weekly average falling from 2,041 two weeks ago to 1,839 in the week ended Jan 17.

Johnson, who is solely responsible for health policy in England, reinstated anti-epidemic restrictions last month in response to a "wave" of Infections in Ami kerong but rejected calls by some scientists to impose stricter restrictions. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the epidemic prevention policy is more stringent. These regions also said that they will soon relax the restrictions on the epidemic.

"Betting that the epidemic in Olmiqueron has reached its peak, Prime Minister Johnson has waived the epidemic prevention restrictions in England." Reuters reported on this topic. "The UK is in fact about to lift all anti-epidemic restrictions." The CBS website reads.

Some people welcome, some people worry

"Amy Kerong is still wreaking havoc around the world, is it too early to lift restrictions at this time?" A BBC report said infection levels in the UK, while falling, were still well above their peak last winter. What's more, the progress being made varies from region to region, and hospitalizations in the Central, North-East and Yorkshire have yet to begin to decline. As a result, some scientists and public health experts believe there is a risk that the outbreak will rebound.

The UK is one of the best protected countries when looking at the immunity that people have built through vaccination and previous infections with the virus. The data shows that more than 97% of Britons have antibodies. As to whether the outbreak is coming to an end, many experts believe that what is crucial next is the behavior of the public.

The Guardian reports that many epidemiologists expect infection rates in England to rise again. As of last week, infection rates were falling in england for children aged 2 to 11 years (unvaccinated young people).

On the 19th, Matthew Taylor, head of the Uk's National Health Service (NHS), said that now is not the time for complacency, the NHS is still facing the huge pressure of COVID-19-related hospitalizations, medical personnel falling ill and patient backlogs. "We will have greater freedom, but at the cost of more people likely to contract COVID-19, and medical care will have to pay a huge price for this," he warned. ”

"The business community welcomes the lifting of most of the anti-epidemic restrictions in England." According to the Financial Times reported on the 20th, the British catering industry and retail industry believe that this is a welcome boost to the city center and consumer confidence. Michael Keele, chief executive of the British Night Industry Association, said nightclubs and bars would "eventually be able to plan the future with some certainty".

In fact, in the UK, some experts believe that if the development of the epidemic is indeed subsiding as Johnson said, then his decision is not "unreasonable". But there are also scientists who disagree. "It is a risk to cancel these measures in the face of extremely high levels of infection." Lawrence Young, a virology expert at the University of Warwick, said, "Perhaps it would be wiser to wait another two weeks." ”

Britain's "Observer" questioned Johnson's "strange timing" of announcing the lifting of restrictions, calling it a "politicized" rather than policy-based move. Many media have mentioned that Johnson is currently facing a political crisis, and he is hosting parties during the peak of the lockdown due to the epidemic in the United Kingdom, which has been criticized by opposition parties and people in his own party. Some argue that he eased restrictions to bolster support for him by conservatives who do not agree to impose anti-epidemic restrictions.

How long can Johnson carry it?

The Guardian said on the 20th that in order to cater to some Conservative MPs, Johnson also announced that from the 20th, students will no longer be required to wear masks in class. The teachers' union expressed concern about the sudden change.

On the 19th, Johnson rejected the resignation requests made by the opposition party and some Conservative MPs for him. On the same day, veteran Conservative MP and former Brexit Secretary Davis said: "You have been sitting in this position for too long, for the good things you have done, look at God's points, go away." These words caused a shock. In 1940, when then-Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain failed to prevent Nazi Germany from invading Norway, a Conservative MP questioned him in the House of Commons, and Chamberlain resigned two days later.

To challenge Johnson's leadership, 54 of the 360 Conservative MPs would have to write to the chairman of the party's "1922 Committee" to launch a vote of no confidence, Reuters said. The Times analysis shows that 58 Conservative MPs have publicly criticized Johnson. The Daily Telegraph said as many as 20 Conservative MPs who won the 2019 general election plan to submit letters of no confidence, and several others have already written letters of no confidence.

The British website "iNews" describes Johnson's situation as a "dead reprieve". The media said his rivals were on the move, with a former cabinet minister saying people such as Chancellor of the Exchequer Sunak, Foreign Secretary Traus and former Foreign Secretary Hunt had been "trying to keep a low profile" but were now "definitely mobilizing". "Last week, the contenders didn't take the initiative. Now, the ministers invite some people to their offices for tea. A lawmaker said.

However, the situation is also changing. On the 20th, William Raghall, chairman of the British Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Commission, revealed that conservative MPs who demanded Johnson's resignation were intimidated from within the party. Opposition leaders expressed "shock". Johnson responded that "no evidence was seen."

Agence France-Presse said Johnson eased restrictions on epidemic prevention, winning cheers from anxious Conservatives in the House of Commons. Health Minister Javid denied that the prime minister appeased the party's right wing at the expense of the people's lives. He said it was wrong to think that way, and government scientists believed that the Opmecreon wave had passed after reaching a peak of more than 200,000 infections in a single day in early January.

The article mentioned that the British right-wing newspaper "The Daily Mail" said that in the context of crises at home and abroad, now is not the time to change leaders. In a front-page editorial, the newspaper said that Russia's leaders were preparing to wage a war in Ukraine and that inflation in Britain was soaring, "yet a group of narcissistic Conservative MPs are trying to topple the prime minister who led us out of the pandemic." Look at God's points, mature! ”