The Prime Minister, pondering on the way ahead and his promised ‘road plan’ to a better life, is at a crossroads.
And it is a dangerous one for the country and for himself. Go the wrong way and he will be condemned if many more lives are lost; choose the right road and he will be applauded by a grateful nation.
His choice has been made more difficult by better news, the decline in coronavirus cases.
The latest study from Imperial College London says that infection rates in England are down by two-thirds, and 80% in London, although it varies across some parts of the country.
There are a third fewer in hospital compared with a month ago but the 738 deaths in one day this week is still high.
Wales has suffered a setback with 467 deaths in a week, 13 more than the previous one, with north Wales the worst affected.
First Minister Mark Drakeford will also have a dilemma when he has to decide next week whether to continue the strict rules now in force.
Conflicting evidence for Mr Johnson who has reacted by continuing his more cautious approach, playing safe.
He is not going to be specific on the date he will start to ease restriction restrictions so we can start to enjoy life. His way forward will be dictated by data, not dates, he says succinctly. He will only move on when he is confident that it is safe to do so.
His view is not accepted by many, including a substantial number of his own MPs, who are urging him to be bold and cut the bounds that are suffocating the nation, crippling the economy.
The first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland are, like the PM and Welsh first minister, anxious not to undo the good work of the past difficult months. Better be sure than sorry.
As with everything connected with this pandemic, the future is clouded with uncertainty. Sunny days lie ahead, but when will those clouds disappear? Which is the right road?
No one envies Mr Johnson as he approaches those crossroads.
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