This morning, Professor Devi Sridhar from the University of Edinburgh medical school spoke to Kay Burley about Boris Johnson announcing that COVID rules could end a month early.
She said that the scientific evidence “isn’t there right now to take away isolation”, adding that “to release isolation it’s too early right now. I don’t know why you’d change that right now when we are having over 200 deaths a day from COVID”.
Prof Sridhar accused Mr Johnson of using the move as a distraction from partygate.
“If you look at the timings, it’s really clear to create headlines today and distract from the problems that the prime minister is facing that he seems to have broken lockdown rules.
“We have defanged it, but it can still bite. The idea that we have to pretend that it’s gone because we say it is, is a bit foolish.
“We should instead be saying it’s a serious disease, what do we need to do to manage it better in the future, while trying to create opportunities for young people, address the cost of living and address the energy crisis.”
