By The Independent, also published by MSN.com
THE UK’s decision to end most Covid restrictions on July 19 poses “a danger to the world”, an international group of scientists has warned.
The group, which includes official government advisers to countries including Italy and Australia, says the government is pursuing herd immunity by mass infection.
It condemns the “wreckless” plan by Boris Johnson to press ahead with “freedom day” despite surging infections and rising hospitalisations and deaths.
Earlier Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, warned the new coronavirus surge could get the UK “into trouble surprisingly fast”.
He urged people to approach the end of lockdown with caution as the number of Covid patients in hospital is currently doubling every three weeks.
Prof Whitty said the key on July 19 – when mask-wearing will no longer be compulsory – was “to take things incredibly slowly”, adding that he fully expected most people to continue to take precautions.
It comes amid warnings that the NHS Covid-19 app could “wreck the economy” as increasing numbers of people are being “pinged” and told to self-isolate.
