lockdown

Why Dominic Cummings hasn’t apologised for breaking lockdown

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Dominic Cummings is yet to admit fault and apologise for breaking lockdown rules. But why not? Likely because it’d make his position untenable.

Whether it was his ludicrously long trip from London to Durham while suffering from coronavirus symptoms, or his jolly to Barnard Castle not long after, Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules.

The reaction to his violation of rules, his refusal to apologise, and the government’s decision to retrospectively alter the interpretation of rules to protect him have provoked outrage amongst the majority of the population.

So much so that a Daily Mail poll found that 66 percent of people think he should leave his position.

So when Cummings sat in Downing Street’s Rose Garden on Sunday afternoon to take questions from journalists and explain himself, it was noticeable that for all the words he said – and there were 2,513 in total – ‘sorry’ wasn’t one of them.

We sat down with Anthony Burr, the founder of Burr Media, a PR and communications expert, who explained why even a cursory apology from Cummings would have made his position untenable.

Source: Why Dominic Cummings hasn’t apologised for breaking lockdown | JOE.co.uk

Dominic Cummings to make statement after lockdown row

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Boris Johnson’s adviser is facing calls to resign after he travelled 260 miles during lockdown.

The PM’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings is to make a public statement and take questions over allegations he broke coronavirus lockdown rules.

Mr Cummings is facing calls from Labour and some Tory MPs to quit or be fired.

He travelled 260 miles with his family to be near relatives when his wife developed Covid-19 symptoms.

Boris Johnson insists his aide acted legally and within guidelines – but critics say the government’s lockdown message has been undermined.

The prime minister made a statement on Sunday in an attempt to draw a line under the row – but Conservative MPs have continued to call for Mr Cummings’ dismissal.

Mr Cummings has been under fire since the Guardian and Daily Mirror reported that he had been seen in County Durham, at his family’s farm during lockdown.

Source: Coronavirus updates: Dominic Cummings to make statement after lockdown row – BBC News

Alcohol, you’ve been truly essential during lockdown – but it’s time to say farewell

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Withnail & I
Withnail & I: “I need booze!”

ANNABEL FENWICK ELLIOTT

It’s been more than five weeks since I’ve been in lockdown, and not a single day without a drink. Truth be told, in any scenario, I don’t do ‘single’ drinks. Two glasses of wine is my minimum. 

I live with a friend who is aligned with me on this front, so each evening we open a nice bottle to accompany dinner. Never once, in all the time we’ve been under the same roof, have we found need to put the cork back in before retiring to bed.

Which is to say that I definitely consume half a bottle a night, which is five units, which is double what the NHS deems to be acceptable for a woman.

I’m probably not alone in this. Indeed, it is so very British that even in a global pandemic, when our borders are sealed and everything from restaurants to churches have been shut down, that off-licences are still deemed ‘essential’  [ . . . ]

Continue at TELEGRAPH: Alcohol, you’ve been truly essential during lockdown – but it’s time to say farewell

Brit conservative columnist says UK lockdown may lead to economic ruin

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While the state’s advice is to stay at home and socially distance from others, Conservative columnist Peter Hitchens says he’s concerned about the economic consequence of this will be worse than the damage caused by the virus itself.

Does Hitchens have a point (not on his head, we mean, a ‘credible opinion’)? Please comment – THE HOBBLEDEHOY