Coronavirus diary, Thursday 28 May

Here we go again. Optimism versus realism. The much heralded Test and Trace system is under way. Northern Ireland was first, England today, to be followed by Scotland and Wales. 

The Prime Minister says it will change people's lives, a view echoed by Health Secretary for England Matt Hancock. He seems to be following his usual practice of jumping the gun, setting off on a new race against coronavirus. Too often his plans have been not fully though, like his original 100,000  test target for April, which, surprisingly, was achieved on the very last day, thanks to some adroit manipulation -  test kits sent out but not returned. Now the ambitious test and trace scheme is being rolled out nationwide and we hope it will be effective. It seems to be working in other countries.

It is a simple process. Anyone with symptoms must self isolate and  be quickly tested. If positive, they must disclose recent contacts through the NHS Test and Trace scheme and those contacts should self isolate.

The key to success is that everyone should follow the advice, (rules?) and that the contacts should go into isolation for two weeks. There have already been words of caution from scientists who, while welcoming the system, warn that if fully supported it might prevent only five to fifteen percent of infections.

The scheme is already in doubt judging by criticism from Wales and other countries. And what if someone identified as a recent contact does not isolate?  Or, unlikely, admittedly, take the sick leave benefit offered -  to use the jargon, take a sickie?

The Prime Minister says it is our civic duty to follow this advice to the letter. Unfortunate timing, perhaps, with the example of his chief adviser Dominic Cummings with his own interpretation on the strict lockdown and his flight to Durham that has caused a political storm, still blowing.