cautious but irreversible but is that still the message? it's not a word ou that still the message? it's not a word you hear — that still the message? it's not a word you hear very _ that still the message? it's not a word you hear very often - that still the message? it's not a word you hear very often now i that still the message? it's not a l word you hear very often now from ministers because i think they realise that there is some uncertainty here. i think that uncertainty here. i think that uncertainty is what we're talking about going into autumn and winter. we have had warnings from chris whitty and others about how difficult that is going to be but there is the more immediate short—term issues, and really ministers are trying to explain why they are doing it now at a time when there are a rising case numbers. it's of course because of the vaccination programme which they think is very much weakening the link between getting infected and ending up in hospital and of course those who die. it is a new phase and thatis those who die. it is a new phase and that is what sajid javid called it today, talking about the caution around it. what we are also waiting for is guidance from the government about what will be expected of people and i think that is where there has been a slight shift on things like masks. we have heard a lot of ministers are sounding very excited about throwing away their mask potentially but now you're