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On @LBC this morning discussing with Sir Christopher Chope MP how restrictions should be lifted. He calls for an immediate end to all measures based on three dangerous misconceptions which an MP really should not be peddling. https://twitter.com/LBC/status/1358312014024736770
First, he dismisses the idea that the NHS could be overwhelmed and asserts it is coping comfortably. Really? Has he talked to doctors? He should read Rachel Clarke's harrowing account of the reality on the frontline or read her book 'Breathtaking'. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/feb/06/ive-been-called-satan-dr-rachel-clarke-on-facing-abuse-in-the-covid-crisis
Or, if he prefers statistics, he should look a @Kit_Yates_Maths figures which show that the only reason why we haven't run out of Critical Care beds is because of a frantic chase to repurpose other wards as CCUs
Second, he asserts that it is 'definitively proven' that those who are vaccinated cannot transmit the disease so it is fine to meet up with others who are vaccinated. This is simply untrue. On the one hand we don't have the data on transmissibility yet. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210203-why-vaccinated-people-may-still-be-able-to-spread-covid-19
On the other hand, while it may well have some effect on transmission it is unusual for a vaccine to confer complete 'sterilising immunity'. As Danny Altmann says: "For a virus like this, I almost think that's asking too much of a vaccine. "It's really, really hard to do."
It is really very dangerous to tell people they can't transmit the virus right now, hence encouraging them to mix with others. It goes against all public health advice and undermines the whole pandemic response.
Third, Chope argues that if restrictions remain 'tens of millions' will take part in civil disorder. This is a highly tendentious claim. It goes against the consistent evidence that the public supports the need for restrictive measures and, if anything . wanted them sooner.
But also, like Powell's 'rivers of blood' speech, this is very dangerous talk which purports to predict what others will do, but is actually an incitement by makig such behaviour seem normative when it clearly isn't.
All in all Chope's case is based on a combination of unfounded claims and outright falsehoods. He should apologise and @LBC should a offer a correction. This is dangerous talk that will cost lives.
