Boris fails to convince with sanitised take on coronavirus | John Crace

PM sought to calm nation but it soon became clear his emergency plan was remarkably thin

And… breathe. Though not too deeply. And certainly not all over anybody else. After more than six weeks of mooching around No 10 hoping the pangolins would deal with the coronavirus on their own, Boris Johnson finally broke off from his sabbatical to ease widespread concerns about a global pandemic with an emergency press conference. Don’t panic! Don’t panic!

There were no face masks or breathing equipment stashed in the corner of the state room. Just hand sanitiser at the front door on the way in. This was Downing Street in full “Keep calm and carry on” mode. As Boris walked into the room, flanked by chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, and chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, his trademark smirk was replaced by the serious face. It wasn’t altogether convincing – it never is – but it was the best he could do. When you’re trying to find the right words to tell several hundred thousand people they might die, it’s probably best not to look too chipper. Don’t panic! Don’t panic!

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