In response to a member's request, the team have agreed to putting up a second thread on Covid-19. It's here strictly on a trial basis. The idea is to separate (as much as possible) the two main strands that run through the other thread. The focus of the first thread is intended to be technical/medical. This thread is meant to be a home for commentary of a more personal and social nature. As always, there can be NO politics beyond the very barest minimum, no religion, or UFO's, and transgressive posts will be cleared away. Otherwise, feel free to post your flu anecdotes.
BRW, as our genius health minister has suggested that nobody over 70 should leave the house I am technically marooned. I'll let you know how that feels.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51895873
Every Briton over the age of 70 will be told "within the coming weeks" to stay at home for an extended period to shield them from coronavirus Health Secretary Matt Hancock says.
He told the BBC the rules will not come into force just yet but when it does it will last "a very long time".
The government has faced pressure to do more to tackle the epidemic after the UK death toll rose to 21 on Saturday.
All deaths so far have been of people over 60 or with underlying conditions.
Over-70s - and younger people with certain health conditions - will be told they must remain at home and have groceries and vital medication delivered.
The health secretary was asked by the BBC's Andrew Marr when the new requirement - reported to last as long as four months - would begin.
He said: "I'm not going to go into any more detail on the timings because we want to be ready to say that when we judge, based on the scientific advice, that the time has come."
