Help - Message to the MPs that voted to Extend the Coronavirus Act 2020

Here is the 2nd response. I don't think he got the point I was trying to make regarding "cases" vs case-fatality-rate or Infection-fatality-rate. Maybe I was not clear enough?

WHITTINGDALE, John Dear Mr George, Thank you for your email. The Government's approach for preventing a comprehensive national lockdown is to work closely with local authorities to enact and enforce local restrictions if an increase in cases indicates that to be the best cause of action. While relaxations of restrictions over recent months have been most welcome, it is disappointing that despite the enormous sacrifices of the British people, the latest figures have shown an increase in the number of coronavirus cases. The Government has been clear that, if necessary, it will reinstate measures to keep the virus under control. In this case, since 14 September, people have not been permitted to socialise with any more than five others, unless they are all within one household or support bubble. Further measures, including closing pubs, bars, and restaurants early from 24th September, and asking office workers to work from home wherever possible, have also been put in place. I will continue to monitor these restrictions closely. In advance of an increase in cases, the Government has been working hard with the NHS to prepare. Capacity has been increased in the NHS, with the creation of new Nightingale Hospitals, purchase of additional ventilators, and establishment of a PPE taskforce to ensure that health and social care facilities are able to access all the equipment that they need. We are well prepared to deal with a new increase in cases. I know that a number of options, including technological ones, are being considered as mechanisms for allowing people increased freedom as safely as possible. While the Government has not ruled anything out at this stage, it will be vital that all tools are scrutinised to ensure that they do not put people's privacy at risk, and that data is only used for safe and acceptable purposes. I would like to reassure you that I will be monitoring this issue very closely. I am hugely saddened that further restrictions have become necessary. I know that these decisions have a real impact on families, on businesses and on local communities. I know that Essex County Council have not taken the decision to request a move to Tier 2 lightly but it is clear that the data is going the wrong way.  By acting now, we can hope to stem this increase, limiting the time that we are in these enhanced restrictions and – above all – avoiding further escalation into ‘Very High’.  All of this will limit the damage to the economy; a healthy economy is critical to everyone having better lives in future.   The numbers of people being found to be infected with COVID19 continues to rise across Essex at an alarming rate. While the great majority of cases are in the younger age groups, rates are now increasing in older age groups as well, who are at higher risk of serious consequences.  Hospital admissions are rising, and fatalities are also now increasing.  I have spoken at length to the County’s Director of Public Health and Wellbeing, Dr Mike Gogarty, who has advised me that the number of cases in Maldon is still the lowest in the county. However, it has increased in the last 11 days from 18 per 100,000 per week to 44 per 100,000 per week. On this basis, Maldon is following the same path as other districts, albeit about a week or so behind.  Requesting that Essex move to a Tier 2 COVID response now means that we can reduce the numbers of those infected, halting the curve more quickly.  Without action now, the restrictions that Essex residents would have to face would be even more severe, last longer and do more damage to the conomy. With best wishes John Whittingdale Rt Hon John Whittingdale OBE MP Minister of State for Media and Data Member of Parliament for Maldon

Response no 3 (anyone from West Durham?)

Richard Holden MP Dear Mike, Good morning. Thank you for your message. Richard takes your comments on board and has discussed this matter with a large number of constituents. Due to Parliamentary convention, he will only directly represent those who live within North West Durham. However, if you do know anyone in the area, please do encourage them to contact him if they have concerns. Best wishes, Doug  Doug Oliver (For Richard Holden MP)

Respnse no 4. Enjoy 🤐! LEVY, Ian to me

Dear Leanne,

Thank you for your email which I read carefully and with interest. I do apologise for the delay in letting you have a reply.

It is right to question the Government’s approach and they will not get everything right. These are difficult decisions and there are valid arguments against action as well as in favour of it.

I know that many people, knowing the economic and social cost of the lockdowns and restrictions, question whether the strategy is right. As someone who worked in the NHS for almost 30 years prior to being elected to Parliament, I am in touch with many in the NHS who state clearly that coronavirus is a very real threat and one which must be taken seriously.

Coronavirus exists only to spread, and the World Health Organisation has once again announced a record number of cases globally. France and Spain have both reported daily figures of over 10,000 positive cases and increasing hospitalisations. Here in the UK, we are seeing steep increases in new cases and the R is now well above 1. The epidemic is growing. There are signs that the number of cases in care homes and the number of hospitalisations is starting to rise again to levels last seen in April.

The virulence of this disease and its prevalence globally—we are almost at the point of ​1 million deaths around the world—mean that our two realistic options are suppression until a vaccine comes and letting it spread freely. There is no middle option, because once the virus is growing, it accelerates. no matter how effectively we protect the vulnerable, and protect them we must, letting the virus rip would leave a death toll too big to bear. In reality, the only question is how to control the virus and when to put measures in place.

The Government’s position is based entirely on the goal of suppressing the virus while working as fast as we can towards a vaccine. As a nation, we have succeeded in suppressing the virus once, thanks to so many sacrifices by so many people, but with cases on the rise, we know that more needs to be done, and we need to do it together. I know the burdens that the virus has placed on the livelihoods of so many, and we have worked to give as much protection as possible.

With best wishes

Ian Levy

Ian Levy

Member of Parliament for Blyth Valley

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

020 7219 3049