Uncommon sense

In absence of actual guidance, the Prime Minister stated he was going to reply on "Great British common sense" so the public would know what to do and what not to do and all the signals from Downing Street is that the emergency is over, with loosening announcements coming on a weekly basis, and pubs reopening next weekend.

With the hottest spell of weather this week, the public took a look at the forecasts, took out their towels and bbqs and headed to the coast, just like Johnson recommended a few weeks back.

They went in their tens of thousands. Bournemouth was full, so many people wanted to get a train from central London to the coast, queuing system at Victoria Station had to be introduced.

On Wednesday, some 23 tons of litter had to be collected from Bournemouth beach, and pictures yesterday showed the same beach so packed with people you could not see the sand.

Meanwhile, Liverpool won the Premier League, and 2,000 people gathered outside their Anfield ground to celebrate. Did the Premier League, FA and Government not think this would happen when football was introduced? People jumped, hugged, let off fireworks, any social distancing forgotten in their moment of celebration.

Johnson will try not to take the blame for the inevitable spike in cases and deaths. Clear guidance and message that the worse is not yet over and there is great danger just has not come from Government, Chris Whitty tried his best, but it was way too late. If you dance with the devil, Chris.

In short, this has been the Government advice since lockdown was eased:

'Let us be absolutely clear. We are still in danger. On the other hand ... the threat level is low and so no need to shield, go and shop, go to the pub and enjoy the sunshine. By the way it's not safe to open schools. Glad to have cleared that up.'