Coronavirus diary, Sunday 3 May

Vital statistics

I have never been interested in statistics or statisticians and little idea of the value of the profession, until now. They have moved from the background to the forefront of the anti- coronavirus campaign. Now we are inundated daily with numbers, figures and projections. It is one of the government's main sources of advice  in making crucial decisions that affect us all. 

Today's figures are anything but reassuring - in the UK the 621 deaths reported yesterday takes the death total over 28,000. In Wales, with 10,155 confirmed cases, 44 deaths were reported yesterday bringing the total to almost 1,000.

Mark Drakeford: a more optimistic note

Statistics show the poorest parts of the country are the hardest hit. Cardiff has the highest death rate in Wales, the Canton area heading the list. Affluent areas including Cyncoed where I live are faring better. It does not make us feel all that much safer, though. Wales's First Minister, Mark Drakeford, strikes a more optimistic note suggesting 'we have come over the peak' and that there  may be some easing of restrictions, perhaps in the next week or two. Some children, he says, may be able to go back to school in June, allowing their parents to resume work. No promises, too risky.

I am surprised today to hear in intimate detail the Prime Minister's experience of 10 days in hospital, described in an exclusive interview in the Sun on Sunday newspaper. It is no doubt a heartfelt expression of his relief and unstinted praise for the doctors and nurses who saved his life. He describes his experience as 'scary,' worrying rather than reassuring for us who fear having to go through his frightening and vividly description. He even reveals that contingency plans were being made to 'break the news' to the public if he died. Typical of the sensationalistic Sun, the front page carried huge headlines, DOCS WERE READY FOR ME TO DIE. This is the 'tell all' age for our media, allowing them to publish news no matter how personal or intimate. I think this is going too far.