Transcripts For BBCNEWS The Papers 20200520

Hello, and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. With me are the former conservative pensions minister ros altmann, and the journalist and author, mihir bose. The front page, starting with. The daily mirror shows a packed southend in essex earlier today, saying pressure is mounting on the government to launch its track and trace system to avoid a second wave of coronavirus. The Daily Telegraphs front page also shows a busy beach this time bournemouth and looks at how the government plans to use this system to get some pupils in england back to school by1june. Southend once again, this time in the daily mail, which says any restrictions of the lockdown in england will only be lifted once the governments tracing system is in place according to its scientific advisers. Shamed by this hospital cleaner the metros front page focuses on the governments u turn to allow bereaved families of all nhs front line support staff and social care workers who have died with covid 19 to remain in the uk, which was sparked by a tweet from syrian refugee hassan akkad. Meanwhile, the times looks at hospital admissions for people with covid 19 in the uk, which has dropped below 10,000 since the start of the lockdown. The express writes of the uk Health Secretary Matt Hancocks pledge to tackle obesity after it emerged a third of coronavirus deaths are linked with type 2 diabetes. And the i looks to our summer holidays, saying britons could be allowed staycations if there is no second spike this summer. Lets talk now, thanks to both of you forjoining us once again for a look at the papers. We start with the front page of the daily mail. Im not entirely sure why the front page shows a im not entirely sure why the front page shows a woman im not entirely sure why the front page shows a woman walking along the beach eating a twister. Is that a crime against lockdown . Im not sure, im a feast girl personally. Boriss plan to relax lockdown in ten days. Thats not a lot of time to get this track entry sorted by the 1st ofjune, is it . To get this track entry sorted by the lst ofjune, is it . It may to get this track entry sorted by the 1st ofjune, is it . It may sound like not a lot of time from now, but the government has been working on this track and trace for some weeks now, and im certainly hopeful as the Prime Minister says that this will be in place, and it is very important to get the testing, the tracking and the tracing capability all in place so that we can much more confidently start using the lockdown and get people back onto some kind of normal life, back to freedom. Attend a target . Well, what worries me about this is if you re call worries me about this is if you recall a few sundays ago when the Prime Minister made his speech just before that, we had lots of newspaper articles, just before that, we had lots of newspaperarticles, based just before that, we had lots of newspaper articles, based on some of the hints the Prime Minister was giving in parliament, that freedom day was coming. This seems to be a bit of a reese to make a rehash of the freedom day story in a sense. Yes, borisjohnson has said that by the 1st of june, yes, borisjohnson has said that by the 1st ofjune, we will have an army of people tracking those who may have been infected and so on. Thats the way weve all agreed to proceed. But whether it will happen or not is very interesting. The third paragraph of the story says government advisers have said that any relaxation can only happen if the system comes into place. So we will have to see the proof of this putting, or the proof of this ice cream, and whether this ice cream is proper and ready to be eaten. At this point in time, it looks like more of an optimistic story than one in which we can actually build our hopes on. Too much optimism do you think . I hope not. Ithink hopes on. Too much optimism do you think . I hope not. I think the government has committed itself to doing this, it has recruited people and it is training them now. The whole idea, we know how important this is to the future of our country is that we will have this in place. 0ther is that we will have this in place. Other countries have had it in place and have been using it reasonably successfully. So we are talking about relaxing the lockdown, not lifting it altogether. So this is gradually moving forward. I think we just have to get on with this, the government knows that theres a lot riding on this, so i do hope and expect that this will be delivered as promised. And the front page also quoting a whitehall source, saying any decision on lockdown is conditional on the device that we can move forward without risking a second spice democrats bite, and thatis second spice democrats bite, and that is the big fear, that a second spite democrat spike could be on its way. That has been the fear, and the fear is that if we relax the lockdown too quickly, the second spike will come. Not only will it come, but it could be worse than the first spike, and that is the great fear. Remember, the government very successfully, and this is a great credit to the british people, got all of us to stay at home and protect the nhs, come out on thursdays and clap for the nhs and so on. Thursdays and clap for the nhs and so on. Then if you relax, and suddenly we are back with the virus, i think to get the people back into the mood of resisting it would be very difficult morally. Lets talk about the Daily Telegraph. Prime minister promises tracing byjune, but this time the angle is to help schools open. Schools have had quite a few disagreements between teachers unions and the government, and doctors have also become involved in this argument as to whether schools really ca n this argument as to whether schools really can safely reopen on the 1st ofjune . The doctors initially were suggesting they shouldnt, now theyve changed their advice. The whole point is that the evidence we have so far is that children are not nearly as badly affected, and they are not particularly vulnerable to this particular virus. They dont seem to spread it in the way the adults spread. So the safety of children coming back to school seems to have been validated elsewhere. Clearly you need to keep distance, you need to keep some controls, and there will not be school as usual. But dont forget that schools have been open the whole time. Schools have not all completely shut, children of key workers have been able to go to school, other children have been able to go to school. So we are talking about adding more children. In as we move forward, we have got to get society back on track. Parents who have got children cant always go to work unless the children go to school. Grandparents have been involved in child care before, but many of the older grandparents will be told to isolate i hope that not all over 70s will be asked to stay in lockdown so the grandparents who are fit and healthy can get back to looking after children. But in the end, children need to be in school. It is important to their future, and it is important to their future, and it is important for the family, as well, to have their children able to get to have their children able to get to school. I think the problem here is that yes, children are very unlikely to be infected, though there have been a few cases of children getting a form of this virus. But the point is that the teachers have to take responsibility, the teachers unions are not very happy. Theres a conflict within the bma that is very obvious, and also various council around this country, many of them a Labour Council authorities, but even conservative ones are taking a very, very different approach. Sol conservative ones are taking a very, very different approach. So i think this is not going to be easy unless we get the track and trace working. In the telegraph also mentioned, and this is worth emphasising, that 10 Million People are taking Government Hand outs. And obviously, to get the economy moving again, we need the schools to reopen. But the teachers and others, parents will be very relu cta nt and others, parents will be very reluctant to send their children back to school if they feel there is any chance of them getting infected by sending the children to school. |j think it is also important to note that the government is saying there wont be sanctions if schools are opened. Individual schools and councils will be able to take decisions, the government would like all schools to be able to open. But quite rightly, i think they are going to not be too draconian about it initially until confidence builds because the government has been really successful in scaring people about this so people are taking care and being responsible. And it will now need to ease the country back out of the fear of this virus, to learn to live with it, get on with it and have the protections in place that are so important. Do you think that, as some might say, there is no such thing as zero risking anything in society . So looking at this, comment can you guarantee zero risk of people going back to school with mike no, you cant. So in that case, when do they go back . Absolutely, there is no such thing as zero risk. But we started off by thinking this was a flu epidemic. We now know it is something very different, we have been scared, and also we are a country of people always willing to form a queue. So most people have said that stay at home, and say sorry, and things like that. We are a very obedient society. But having gotten into that stage, it is difficult to get out of it. Going around in my locality in london, you do see people who are fraying the edges of the stay alert system that we now have. But to actually send your child to school is quite a big step, you know, that is on the pa re nt step, you know, that is on the parent and things like that. And to ta ke parent and things like that. And to take that step will take a bit of courage and conviction that everything is right. I think, courage and conviction that everything is right. Ithink, as courage and conviction that everything is right. I think, as you we re everything is right. I think, as you were saying, there isnt any risk free option, and there are many pa rents risk free option, and there are many parents who are desperate to get their children back to school. Many children who want to go back to school. So there is a risk of children staying at home, as well as children staying at home, as well as children going back to school, and there is a risk both physically and mentally there is a risk both physically and m e nta lly to there is a risk both physically and mentally to an extended lockdown and inability to engage socially with other children or to continue education, orfor parents other children or to continue education, or for parents to other children or to continue education, orfor parents to be other children or to continue education, or for parents to be at home trying to Home School Children when they are really worried about their finances and want to get back to work. A very tough situation for so many people. Moving onto the metro, shamed by this hospital cleaner. This story, if nothing else, shows the pure power of viral social media and but i can do, and how this can change public policy. Talk us through the story . It is really a fantastic example of the way one person cant reach out via social media to government and to the public, and get a policy change. And im delighted the government has rethought this policy. This gentleman who has come over from syria, he fled persecution in syria with his family and has volunteered to do cleaning work in hospitals because he wanted to help out with the virus. He is frightened if he dies that his family will be deported. And until this change of heart, the government had said only medical staff and nursing staff would be protected in this way if they succumbed to the virus in the course of their duties. They have now thankfully extended that to the families of all staff who are working so heroically in our hospitals. And also, importantly, to staff in our care homes, as well, who have taken some of the roles of hospital, because hospitals have discharged patients that would normally be there back into care homes instead. And therefore, the nursing staff, the cleaning staff, the cooking staff all of those involved in care homes and hospitals are putting their lives at risk to look after those patients, and are now being reassured that if something happened to them, their families will be thrown out of the uk families will be thrown out of the uk and quite right, too. Families will be thrown out of the uk and quite right, too. Booing while this is very welcome, we must emphasise, and the government should never have had this policy. This question of indefinite leave, the right to remain in this country, we know what happened with the wind rush scandal, that was a tremendous tremendously dreadful scandal. The home office should never have had this policy, it does not reflect well on the home secretary, they should never have had the policy that while doctors and nurses, families and doctor of doctors and nurses were on the front line of this fires and die, they could have indefinite leave. But the others, the hospital porters, cleaners, care workers did not prevent this was so plainly discriminatory, so blatantly pa rt of plainly discriminatory, so blatantly part of this almost anti immigrant campaign that the government historically has had for some time. And that is really the fact that this has now been changed is, while welcome, still something that should never have happened in the first place. Im pleased that it has been changed, and i find place. Im pleased that it has been changed, and ifind it difficult to disagree with you there. Lets move on to the times, two metre rule will bankrupt businesses. This is business rules the market leaders warning theyll be bankrupt if customers and staff have to keep two metres apart after government advisers repose relaxing the rule. What i dont understand is, as far asi what i dont understand is, as far as i know, the who advises one metre distance, doesnt it . Some other countries have a 1. 5 metre distance rule. Why is it we are insisting on two m etres . Rule. Why is it we are insisting on two metres . According to experts, a p pa re ntly two metres . According to experts, apparently they are saying that some businesses could reopen with a one metre rule, but two metres isjust simply not attainable for many of them. It is only the uk and spain that has the two metre rule. I think germany has 1. 5 metres, others have 1. 5 or even one metre. And this is something that is being kept continually under review, the latest scientific advice after the government asked the scientists to review the evidence says that we should stick with the two metre rule. But i dont know how long that will last, because for example, the pubs industry are saying that if we stick with two metres, eight in ten pubs will not be able to reopen. With the one metre rule, the majority of pubs would be able to cope with it. So there is a real impact on businesses, and what many people are saying is, maybe we should look for some more flexibility and trust businesses to be able to manage the situation . Obviously customers will not want to be unsafe, businesses wont want to create an environment that is u nsafe. Create an environment that is unsafe. But i hope we will continually keep this Scientific Evidence under review and look at ways in which we might be able to have a little bit more flexibility in the two metre rule, may be having masks instead as an option in some cases might be considered, and 1. 5 metres instead of two. But this is where scientific advice comes in, because the times piece theres a great scientific advising the government, this is worth talking about that six seconds of exposure at one metre opposed to the same risk as a minute at two metres. And if someone coughed at you from two metres, it is as dangerous as talking for 30 minutes at the same distance. Now of course, this is a hypothesis on the part of the scientists, not hard and fast proof. But nevertheless, given that sort of advice, it is difficult for the government tojust advice, it is difficult for the government to just reject advice, it is difficult for the government tojust reject it. But there is the economic consequences of that. Some pubs dont even have a two metre rule around their bar, only 20 of pubs could open if the two metre rule remained. But if the virus is not eradicated, or at least controlled in the way that it looks like it is, maybe two metres could be relaxed. Yes, and that is why i think the government is right to keep this under review constantly. They will continue to go back to the scientists looking at the latest evidence from other countries which have got the lower distance rule, and seeing how the virus is developing so that we can hopefully relax further. Lets talk about the Daily Telegraph front page, virus fading in london as hospitals report no deaths in 48 hours. The latest data from Public Health england shows that just two data from Public Health england shows thatjust two people data from Public Health england shows that just two people tested positive for the virus in london on tuesday secular and just 14 that it before, and six hospitals have had no deaths after some research that the telegraph has been doing. Before, we had a large number of people being infected every day. That has come right down. So we have been successful in controlling this at the moment. And obviously, if we start relaxing the rules, then the numbers may start rising. But the important thing is that, if we are able to control the virus and have fewer deaths and know how to treat the virus, that hospitals have got plenty of spare capacity, then london, which is so important to the economy and the rest of the country, could start opening up. And then, there may be good evidence that other areas of the country that are slightly behind london, because london was ahead of the curve given our Central Location in terms of International Travel and so on, and the density of the population and business than other businesses democrat areas should expect to slow down like we have in the coming days. And that would be a really Good Environment for easing the lockdown. But while this is very good news for londoners, and we live in london, what is interesting about the story is that a few weeks ago, london which was, if you like, heading the wrong kind of table on people getting infected and deaths. It is interesting that it is the north in the midlands and, you know, pa rt of north in the midlands and, you know, part of it was the red wall during the election that is having a much higher rate. And it would be a bit sad if we get another divide in the country between london and the rest of the country. And obviously steps have to be taken, hopefully they can be taken to reduce infections across the country. As i say, the rest of the country. As i say, the rest of the country. As i say, the rest of the country is slightly behind london, but they should end up in hopefully the same place that us having slowed right down means over the coming days, the rest of the country should also see the same slowdown. This has been so interesting to have you both on the programme and to hear your views on what the papers have to offer us tomorrow. Thank you once again to both of you. Thanks to you viewers at home for your company. Thats it for the papers tonight. From us all, goodbye. Hello, im jane dougal with your sports news. In a step towards normality, more premier league clubs have begun to return to training for noncontact sessions. Liverpool tweeted a photograph ofjurgen klopp and his assistant, demonstrating the social distancing that will be taking place. At watford, their Team Training went ahead, despite defender Adrian Mariappa and two members of their staff testing positive for covid 19. The watford captain, troy dini, has said he wont participate in these group sessions, as he has a child with respiratory issues. The former chelsea doctor says she understands the concerns of players because not enough is yet known about the virus. Were all excited about the premier league returning, and we were all really looking forward to football returning. However, therell be an element of player safety first. And i guess my concern is, theres so much we dont know about this virus yet. So, to look at the date thats about four weeks away at best itjust seems a little bit fast, given how little we know about the virus. Meanwhile, League One Clubs have been discussing how the season should conclude at an efl board meeting. It comes amid a split in the clubs over whether to continue the campaign or not. Matches have been suspended since mid march due to the pandemic. Six League One Clubs, including sunderland, said they do want to complete the season. Its our obligation to play football. Finance isnt a huge issue to us to play behind closed doors. I think finishing the season is the only way you can do it morally and fairly. Promotion and relegation should be determined on the pitch, not in meeting rooms, if at all possible to do so. And clearly this is possible to do so. I think in league one, its so tight at the top in terms of players positions to teams outside of playoff, teams in the automatic promotion places, and certainly at the bottom, with wimbledon, rochdale. The only way you could do that without contact with anybody is playing football, which is the business were in. Womens super league and championship teams have told the bbc they are assuming their seasons are over, according to sources at several clubs. Manchester were leading chelsea by one point at the top of the table their matches were halted. There will be no final decisions until the clubs have given their views to the fa informal consultation process. Its understood the joint wsl and womens League Championship board will then decide how to determine final placings. Now some england cricketers will return to training tomorrow. Up to 18 bowlers will take part in individual sessions at seven venues across the country. There will be a physio at each grounds and social distancing rules in place. These pictures were taken before the lockdown began. Batsmen and wicket keepers will also be back in individual training from 1june. Around 30 players in total will be invited to take part. Kubrat pulev says he will not step away from his shot at the will not World Championship belt, and warned anthonyjoshua, you either fight or vacate the title. The bulgarian is the mandatory challenger forjoshuas ibf belt, but their planned fight on 20 june was postponed. It led to pulev being paid to step aside sojoshua could face tyson could face tyson fury for all four heavyweight belts. Some sad news to bring you now, and britains first paralympic gold medallist, margaret morgan, has died at the age of 91. Morgan was paralysed in a car accident in 1959 and took up archery as part of her rehabilitation in Stoke Mandeville hospital. She competed in the 1960 paralympics in rome, winning two gold medals in archery and swimming. She went on to compete in for further paralympic games. Then in 2012, she lit the flame at the london paralympics opening ceremony. And thats it for now, but theres more details on all those stories on the bbc sport website. But for now, bye bye. Hello there. Although weve seen a little sea mist around and some fog, for the vast majority, wednesday was a sunny day, and it was the warmest day of the year so far in scotland, england, and in wales. The High Temperature was in england, 28 celsius. But for all, it will feel a little fresher today, notably in the north and west. And thats because of a weather front thas been meandering its way eastwards. And then, behind that for friday, and unseasoned very deep area of low pressure, which means rain but also very windy weather with the trees in full leaf, thats a concern. So look lets look at the progress of this weather front, which will give some rain, as you can see, as it crosses Northern Ireland and scotland. Not as much for england and wales, and it mayjust be a few sharp but potentially torrential downpours across southern and eastern clears parts through the morning before it clears to the brighter skies in all but the far north, where weve got some fog through shetland and coastal mists elsewhere, and it could stay date through shetland and coastal mists elsewhere, and it could stay dank and grey here for most of day. And looking at temperatures, theyre several degrees down from yesterday still 26 celsius possibly in london with that residual warmth. And then, as we go through the evening and overnight, that low pressure starts to escalate, making its presence felt. So some rain for many, perhaps a few sharp showers again to start the day in eastern areas on a very warm night. But clearly, the concern is the amount of rain, and for the northwest of scotland, we could have 100mm of rain in the coming few days as that low pressure stays close by. So for all, a much windier period of weather on friday as that rain clears, lots of showers rushing through. But those winds do escalate through the day all morning into the afternoon, up to gale force in the north and the west. You can see those gusts of wind, but even in the 30 40s further south, which is very unusual in may. So clearly a concern for that. Well be keeping you updated on that. And as a result, even though temperatures in the high teens or low 20s, it will feel cooler because of that strong wind and that rain which willjust continue for, as i say, the northwest highlands. But gradually through the weekend, the showers will reduce in number. The winds ease in the south as a ridge of High Pressure returns to sullen parts of england and wales. But a very different feeling weekend for most of us, and still with that low pressure to the north into the beginning of the new week, as well, we still have the potential at least on the weekend for some unsettled weather. This is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. Im maryam moshiri. The biggest one day increase in worldwide covid 19 cases says the who. Cyclone amphan, one of the most powerful south asian storms for decades, kills at least 15 people in bangladesh. The uks long delayed virus tracing system the Prime Minister says it will take another ten days. European countries puzzle over re opening tourism we meet the hoteliers hoping to salvage the season