Media Coverage of COVID -19

[kez19]

I'm getting very fed up with the constant headlines and stories about COVID now, so much that I don't even check my social media often.

All it is is scaremongering, doom and gloom...

I have kinda switched off from it now, just follow it on here but do some checks but other than that nothing, I think the wheels are starting to come off, I know in some parts of social media it seems as if as far as I have read since last night in terms of the variant "Kent", its backfiring on both Boris and the media themselves ie BBC.

 

[brad465]

I have kinda switched off from it now, just follow it on here but do some checks but other than that nothing, I think the wheels are starting to come off, I know in some parts of social media it seems as if as far as I have read since last night in terms of the variant "Kent", its backfiring on both Boris and the media themselves ie BBC.

Not just that, but we now have Scientists playing down the variant as being more deadly and saying it shouldn't be a "game changer" in our response:

Covid: 'More deadly' UK variant claim played down by scientists

One says he is surprised Boris Johnson shared the early data when it is "not particularly strong".

www.bbc.co.uk

Scientists say signs a new coronavirus variant is more deadly than the earlier version should not be a "game changer" in the UK's response to the pandemic.

Boris Johnson has said there is "some evidence" the variant may be associated with "a higher degree of mortality".

But the co-author of the study the PM was referring to said the variant's deadliness remained an "open question".

Another adviser said he was surprised Mr Johnson had shared the findings when the data was "not particularly strong".

A third top medic said it was "too early" to be "absolutely clear".

At a Downing Street coronavirus news conference on Friday, the prime minister said: "In addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant - the variant that was first identified in London and the South East - may be associated with a higher degree of mortality."

Speaking alongside the PM, the government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said there was "a lot of uncertainty around these numbers" but that early evidence suggested the variant could be about 30% more deadly.

For example, Sir Patrick said if 1,000 men in their 60s were infected with the old variant, roughly 10 of them would be expected to die - but this rises to about 13 with the new variant.

The fact that there's been a degree of retraction on that remark, plus this retraction now widely publicised, will only undermine the Government's response even further.

 

[kez19]

Not just that, but we now have Scientists playing down the variant as being more deadly and saying it shouldn't be a "game changer" in our response:

Covid: 'More deadly' UK variant claim played down by scientists

One says he is surprised Boris Johnson shared the early data when it is "not particularly strong".

www.bbc.co.uk

The fact that there's been a degree of retraction on that remark widely publicised will only undermine the Government's response even further.

Yet we have people from SAGE on BBC/SKY/ITV ramping up the fear constantly but now suddenly the "Kent" variation is being downplayed, oh do tell us media/scientists why the change in heart?

 

[DB]

Another adviser said he was surprised Mr Johnson had shared the findings when the data was "not particularly strong"

Johnson was clearly looking for a last-minute excuse which he could use to impose more christmas restrictions while parliament was no longer sitting - and something which he could claim changed the situation was no doubt ideal.

 

[kez19]

Johnson was clearly looking for a last-minute excuse which he could use to impose more christmas restrictions while parliament was no longer sitting - and something which he could claim changed the situation was no doubt ideal.

Could we use the phrase that Boris has quite possibly "jumped the shark" (jumped the gun).

 

[VauxhallandI]

Apologies if this has been said elsewhere but I hear the Advertising Standards Agency have just banned the government radio ad that stated joggers and dog walkers could all be spreaders.

They could also be investigating the ad that said supermarket trolleys were dangers and that buying a coffee equalled killing someone.

Unfortunately it’s only found behind a paywall on The Telegraph

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Apologies if this has been said elsewhere but I hear the Advertising Standards Agency have just banned the government radio ad that stated joggers and dog walkers could all be spreaders.

They could also be investigating the ad that said supermarket trolleys were dangers and that buying a coffee equalled killing someone.

Unfortunately it’s only found behind a paywall on The Telegraph

See below, hope this helps:

Government to discontinue Covid ad accusing joggers or those exercising of being 'highly likely' to have the virus

Controversial advert condemned for spreading 'false information' and risking 'scaring' people into physical inactivity

www.telegraph.co.uk

A Government advert that says joggers and dog-walkers are "highly likely" to have Covid is to be discontinued after the regulator said there was no evidence to support the claim.

The Telegraph can reveal that the Cabinet Office has also agreed not to repeat the claim made in the 30-second radio ad – which also warns that "people will die" if individuals "bend the rules" – after being contacted by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

The taxpayer-funded advert was condemned by MPs and public health experts for spreading "false information" and risking "scaring" people into physical inactivity during the third national lockdown.

The ASA said it had received complaints and would "assess those carefully to establish whether there are any grounds for further action".

A spokesman said: "We have contacted the Cabinet Office with the concerns that have been raised about its claim, in a radio ad, that it is 'highly likely' that individuals such as joggers and dog-walkers have Covid-19.

"Our rules require that advertisers hold robust documentary evidence to prove claims that are capable of substantiation. We have received an assurance from the Cabinet Office that the ad will be discontinued by early next week and the claim about individuals being highly likely to have Covid-19 will not be repeated.

"On that basis, as the Cabinet Office has worked with us to swiftly address and resolve this matter without the need for formal investigation, we consider the matter closed."

The ASA said it was also assessing complaints about a similar ad about supermarket trolleys, as well as a poster about takeaway coffee headlined "Don't Let a Coffee Cost Lives", but had yet to contact the Government about those.

According to the most recent official data, one in 50 people in England was estimated to have Covid between December 27 and January 2, rising to one in 30 in London, which would mean individuals are unlikely – rather than highly likely – to have the virus.

Under ASA rules, adverts must be "legal, decent, honest and truthful".

The full Government advert says: "Someone jogging, walking their dog or working out in the park is highly likely to have Covid-19. This is a national health emergency. Around one in three people have no symptoms and are spreading it without knowing. So exercise locally. If you're on your own, you can meet one other person. But keep your distance. Exercise, don't socialise. And wash your hands the moment you get home. Stop the spread. Stick to the rules. If you bend the rules, people will die. Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives."

Professor Gabriel Scally, the president of epidemiology and public health at the Royal Society of Medicine and a member of Independent Sage, called the ad "appalling".

He said: "The first rule of public health communication is to be truthful. False information undermines trust and respect, often achieving entirely the opposite objective to that intended."

The former sports minister Tracey Crouch also urged the Government to "rethink this advert that seems to blame those exercising for spreading Covid", saying: "We know that activity, which is allowed under Government guidance, is good for people's physical and mental well-being, and this ad could end up scaring people not to do [it], storing up health issues for the future."

The Cabinet Office declined to comment, but The Telegraph has been told the ad will cease at the end of the current campaign phase this weekend.

 

[VauxhallandI]

See below, hope this helps:

Government to discontinue Covid ad accusing joggers or those exercising of being 'highly likely' to have the virus

Controversial advert condemned for spreading 'false information' and risking 'scaring' people into physical inactivity

www.telegraph.co.uk

Ta

 

[greyman42]

Wait is this the same BBC that had a backbone?

Yes it really shows how much the BBC has gone downhill. Absolutely pathetic nowadays.

 

[Simon11]

Yes it really shows how much the BBC has gone downhill. Absolutely pathetic nowadays.

BBC on their live covid updates have just summarised covid 19 headlines for today. It mentions 7 stories in bullet points.

No where, No where does it celebrate that nearly half a million people were vaccinated on friday! What a huge achievement but instead they focus on the negatives...

 

[mralexn]

BBC on their live covid updates have just summarised covid 19 headlines for today. It mentions 7 stories in bullet points.

No where, No where does it celebrate that nearly half a million people were vaccinated on friday! What a huge achievement but instead they focus on the negatives...

I thought I would take a look at the BBC yesterday evening, on the front page 12 out of the 13 stories were negative.

I know people go on about "project fear" and below is a great example of it, after all if all you consume is negative information it will eventually effect your mental health.

 

[kez19]

Yes it really shows how much the BBC has gone downhill. Absolutely pathetic nowadays.

For me if I didn’t follow STV/Sky for news the BBC was better for reporting these days all 3 are in the same league competing to see who can scrape the bottom of the barrel furthest.

BBC on their live covid updates have just summarised covid 19 headlines for today. It mentions 7 stories in bullet points.

No where, No where does it celebrate that nearly half a million people were vaccinated on friday! What a huge achievement but instead they focus on the negatives...

That’s what I think has put me off the BBC at the moment and it’s World Service (didn’t get into 5 Live).

It’s the amount of negativity on COVID stories

 

[Luke McDonnell]

Does anyone think the latest public information ads re: Covid are over the top and out of proportion?

I am very aware of the risk of Covid and I am mostly very compliant with the rules (masks/distancing etc) but this latest messaging seems to be strongly reminiscent of the strongly hard hitting drinking and driving campaign of the late 1980s (does anyone remember the Drinking and Driving Wrecks Lives campaign?) or the graphic anti-smoking health warnings on cigarette packs (the photographic ones you will know what I mean).

And I do remember that some of the drink driving ads/PIFs in the late 80s had to be restricted to being shown post watershed due to their distressing nature but these messages are being aired in the middle of the day and I think it will not do well regarding people who are anxious and have mental health issues.

So we now have heavy emotional driven messaging this time not against people having a few pints and getting into a car recklessly endangering other road users but against what until very recently considered normal human behavior - effectively saying that meeting a friend in a garden or in a house (not permitted ATM AFAIK) is 'bending the rules' and recklessly endangering lives like the DD example above. Why does this government seem to think that we have to go as far as this on the communication strategy? There have been many public health/safety campaigns over the years but the only campaigns that are as severe as this was the examples given above although I could possible add the AIDS campaign in the 80s to that.

I think we need to educate the public about Covid but the communications and public information campaign should now focus more on encouraging vaccine takeup and explain the positives of vaccination (including countering anti vax myths) rather than scaring the wits out of us into compliance and increasing anxiety about Covid even more - why have we not yet seen a vaccine focused public information campaign yet?

 

[yorksrob]

Does anyone think the latest public information ads re: Covid are over the top and out of proportion?

I am very aware of the risk of Covid and I am mostly very compliant with the rules (masks/distancing etc) but this latest messaging seems to be strongly reminiscent of the strongly hard hitting drinking and driving campaign of the late 1980s (does anyone remember the Drinking and Driving Wrecks Lives campaign?) or the graphic anti-smoking health warnings on cigarette packs (the photographic ones you will know what I mean).

And I do remember that some of the drink driving ads/PIFs in the late 80s had to be restricted to being shown post watershed due to their distressing nature but these messages are being aired in the middle of the day and I think it will not do well regarding people who are anxious and have mental health issues.

So we now have heavy emotional driven messaging this time not against people having a few pints and getting into a car recklessly endangering other road users but against what until very recently considered normal human behavior - effectively saying that meeting a friend in a garden or in a house (not permitted ATM AFAIK) is 'bending the rules' and recklessly endangering lives like the DD example above. Why does this government seem to think that we have to go as far as this on the communication strategy? There have been many public health/safety campaigns over the years but the only campaigns that are as severe as this was the examples given above although I could possible add the AIDS campaign in the 80s to that.

I think we need to educate the public about Covid but the communications and public information campaign should now focus more on encouraging vaccine takeup and explain the positives of vaccination (including countering anti vax myths) rather than scaring the wits out of us into compliance and increasing anxiety about Covid even more - why have we not yet seen a vaccine focused public information campaign yet?

I think that the Government and its cheerleaders in SAGE are on a hiding to nowhere. Your suggestion would make much more sense.

 

[Simon11]

Why not a positive thank you message to everyone locked down at home and some encouragement/ praise to continue?

I have spent 7 months in lockdown mode, where a walk to the nearby park or weekly supermarket shop is all I can do. Given up so much as a 30 year old for something which doesn't really threaten my life and when I got covid was just a minor week of symptoms and I continued to wfh without any problems when ill!

 

[yorksrob]

I don't want thankyous and blandishments - I just want them to get lockdown finished. The sooner the better.

 

[initiation]

Does anyone think the latest public information ads re: Covid are over the top and out of proportion?

I am very aware of the risk of Covid and I am mostly very compliant with the rules (masks/distancing etc) but this latest messaging seems to be strongly reminiscent of the strongly hard hitting drinking and driving campaign of the late 1980s (does anyone remember the Drinking and Driving Wrecks Lives campaign?) or the graphic anti-smoking health warnings on cigarette packs (the photographic ones you will know what I mean).

And I do remember that some of the drink driving ads/PIFs in the late 80s had to be restricted to being shown post watershed due to their distressing nature but these messages are being aired in the middle of the day and I think it will not do well regarding people who are anxious and have mental health issues.

So we now have heavy emotional driven messaging this time not against people having a few pints and getting into a car recklessly endangering other road users but against what until very recently considered normal human behavior - effectively saying that meeting a friend in a garden or in a house (not permitted ATM AFAIK) is 'bending the rules' and recklessly endangering lives like the DD example above. Why does this government seem to think that we have to go as far as this on the communication strategy? There have been many public health/safety campaigns over the years but the only campaigns that are as severe as this was the examples given above although I could possible add the AIDS campaign in the 80s to that.

I think we need to educate the public about Covid but the communications and public information campaign should now focus more on encouraging vaccine takeup and explain the positives of vaccination (including countering anti vax myths) rather than scaring the wits out of us into compliance and increasing anxiety about Covid even more - why have we not yet seen a vaccine focused public information campaign yet?

I saw these 'alternative' adverts earlier today. If the government want to use this emotional bullying perhaps so as to ensure fairness, everytime one of the gov pro-lockdown messages is broadcast one of these should also be shared?

 

[Chester1]

I don't want thankyous and blandishments - I just want them to get lockdown finished. The sooner the better.

This won't end with lockdown. There is a significant section of the public that don't want life to go back to normal. The media is egging them on. The Telegraph has reported that on Monday Ministers may approve compulsory hotel quarantine of all arrivals to prevent new variants entering the country. That is pretty close to an international travel ban with no conceivable way of ever meeting the criteria to end it. Whether its Telegraph trying to sell newspapers or the Government is serious, is a different matter.

 

[yorksrob]

This won't end with lockdown. There is a significant section of the public that don't want life to go back to normal. The media is egging them on. The Telegraph has reported that on Monday Ministers may approve compulsory hotel quarantine of all arrivals to prevent new variants entering the country. That is pretty close to an international travel ban with no conceivable way of ever meeting the criteria to end it. Whether its Telegraph trying to sell newspapers or the Government is serious, is a different matter.

To be fair, the international travel ban doesn't concern me nearly as much as the extension of lockdown powers until June.

I fear that we are experiencing the equivalent of a coup d'etat.

 

[Chester1]

To be fair, the international travel ban doesn't concern me nearly as much as the extension of lockdown powers until June.

I fear that we are experiencing the equivalent of a coup d'etat.

An international travel ban with no feasible criteria for ending it is very extreme!

I don't think these policies are about power. They are reflective that the majority of the public are not happy returning to normal while the virus is in circulation even with vaccinations. Once high risk people have been vaccinated hopefully enough people will change their minds, if not the Govermment will keep announcing stuff to attempt to reassure them.

 

[yorksrob]

An international travel ban with no feasible criteria for ending it is very extreme!

I don't think these policies are about power. They are reflective that the majority of the public are not happy returning to normal while the virus is in circulation even with vaccinations. Once high risk people have been vaccinated hopefully enough people will change their minds, if not the Govermment will keep announcing stuff to attempt to reassure them.

It is extreme, although I must admit I don't go abroad that often.

Not being allowed to visit the next county is truly extreme and if people aren't happy returning to normal, let them not return to normal themselves. The ongoing lockdown is the truly extreme aspect of this current situation.

 

[Richard Scott]

It is extreme, although I must admit I don't go abroad that often.

Not being allowed to visit the next county is truly extreme and if people aren't happy returning to normal, let them not return to normal themselves. The ongoing lockdown is the truly extreme aspect of this current situation.

The other issue is hospitality industry will be hit further as this relies on many tourists from other countries. I really do dispair of this government and its obsession with this virus, it's beyond ridiculous.

 

[DB]

An international travel ban with no feasible criteria for ending it is very extreme!

I don't think these policies are about power. They are reflective that the majority of the public are not happy returning to normal while the virus is in circulation even with vaccinations. Once high risk people have been vaccinated hopefully enough people will change their minds, if not the Govermment will keep announcing stuff to attempt to reassure them.

The virus is going to remain in circulation so they'd better get used to it! Pandering to those who the government has spent nearly a year deliberately making terrified isn't really helping anyone.

 

[yorksrob]

The other issue bis hospitality industry will be hit further as this relies on many tourists from other countries. I really do dispair of this government and its obsession with this virus, it's beyond ridiculous.

It is, not to mention the business residents of this country put towards hospitality in normal times.

 

[brad465]

Based on where the current Covid death toll for 28 days within a positive test is, the most likely day we will reach 100,000 is this Tuesday (26th). Obviously this will get major news coverage, but what will also be worth watching out for is how much the news will be raining "dead cats (and dogs)", that is stories the Government try to throw out there as a distraction to this (even though I'm almost certain they won't work).

 

[DB]

Based on where the current Covid death toll for 28 days within a positive test is, the most likely day we will reach 100,000 is this Tuesday (26th). Obviously this will get major news coverage, but what will also be worth watching out for is how much the news will be raining "dead cats (and dogs)", that is stories the Government try to throw out there as a distraction to this (even though I'm almost certain they won't work).

On the other hand, if they have anything else they want to keep under the radar that might be a good day to announce it!

 

[brad465]

On the other hand, if they have anything else they want to keep under the radar that might be a good day to announce it!

Very true, I think there will be elements of both making distractions and under the radar activity in play.

 

[Chester1]

It is extreme, although I must admit I don't go abroad that often.

Not being allowed to visit the next county is truly extreme and if people aren't happy returning to normal, let them not return to normal themselves. The ongoing lockdown is the truly extreme aspect of this current situation.

The difference between the two is time. Lockdown has an exit strategy, they could be very cautious implementing it but it will be lifted. A defacto International travel ban justified by keeping variants out doesn't have an exit strategy. It would be equally justified in summer 2026 as summer 2021. Many millions of people have family overseas and businesses require some travel too. I suspect its been leaked to the Telegraph to test the reaction - again. Unfortunately most people won't think it through and think it would only last a few months, when in reality the justification will be around indefinitely because the virus won't stop mutating.

 

[Richard Scott]

The difference between the two is time. Lockdown has an exit strategy, they could be very cautious implementing it but it will be lifted. A defacto International travel ban justified by keeping variants out doesn't have an exit strategy. It would be equally justified in summer 2026 as summer 2021. Many millions of people have family overseas and businesses require some travel too. I suspect its been leaked to the Telegraph to test the reaction - again. Unfortunately most people won't think it through and think it would only last a few months, when in reality the justification will be around indefinitely because the virus won't stop mutating.

Rapidly coming to the conclusion life is no longer worth living. So many things government seems to want to restrict to feed their virus obsession.

 

[yorksrob]

The difference between the two is time. Lockdown has an exit strategy, they could be very cautious implementing it but it will be lifted. A defacto International travel ban justified by keeping variants out doesn't have an exit strategy. It would be equally justified in summer 2026 as summer 2021. Many millions of people have family overseas and businesses require some travel too. I suspect its been leaked to the Telegraph to test the reaction - again. Unfortunately most people won't think it through and think it would only last a few months, when in reality the justification will be around indefinitely because the virus won't stop mutating.

The difference between the two is quite large.

Lockdown (which also doesn't have an exit strategy as far as I can see) keeps people locked up in their homes for months on end without seeing anyone.

For most people, international travel is occasional anyway, and if you really do need to relocate, a week's quarantine is doable.

I don't see how anyone can play lockdown as less extreme than an international travel ban.