By Ben Kerrigan-
Boris Johnson used the questionable rising hospital rates to promote booster jabs for the new year
“look at the people going into hospital now, that could be you” and “make it your new year’s resolution” to get jabbed. This was his end of year message of the prime minister to the country as we enter 2022.
In his bid to limit the spread of infections, the prime minister warned of the “challenges” of Omicron and rising hospital admissions. What he did not say is that figures of rising hospital admissions are sadly not reliable, and unreliable information cannot be used to justify any end goal, however necessary the goal may be.
Caution is needed in these times, but unreliable information of no sort should be encouraged by any honourable platform. The omicron variant is transmissible but evidence of rising hospitalization due to this variant is not trustworthy until proper research has been conducted . Misleading the public about hospitalisation rates is unacceptable, especially where is such news leads to alarm in the country.
Competent research from the Daily Mail Online early this week revealed that over 60% of those in hospital are people being treated for broken bones, heart attacks and even routine care, with only about 30% being in hospital primarily for covid-19. That revelation was shocking, and all credit to the DailyMail Online for proper independent research.
The question we must ask is whether the prime minister is aware of the Daily Mail’s finding. The answer should be yes, as he should have advisers who keep him informed of media hot news in relation to the pandemic, particularly for a newspaper he has once written for.
Thirty percent of people hospitalised because of covid is enough reason to be careful and not reckless, and consider the potential benefits of getting jabbed.
Confusion and scepticism arises when lies, inaccuracies or deceit is fed to a public not as stupid as thought to be by those spreading them. The thirty percent rise of those in hospital primarily due to covid-19 could indeed represent a rise in hospitalisation compared to previously, but without transparency and honesty, mixed messages are received by different groups if the public.
Research shows that the British public is split into different groups. Those who are fearful of the virus, those who are cautious, and those who are completely doubtful of anything related to news about the virus, who as a result take little to no care in their day to day lives.
News and information dished out by the British media and politicians are not often followed with any research of how the public receive that news as a whole in order to inform its effectiveness.
The PM urged people who go out later to take a Covid test first and “remember the importance of ventilation”.
Members of The Eye Of Media.Com will conduct research tonight in London, Essex and Manchester, to inquire roughly how many people heed the advice of the prime minister. The sample will not be exhaustive, but enough to get a rough idea.
Many brits are already turned away from the news media completely and will only hear of the prime minister’s advice if they see it shared on social media- a relatively low percentage of none working brits read or listen to the news these days.
An abundant number of people who hear the hospitalisation stats won’t believe them, many will.
The reality is that they may indeed be rising or they may not, but the fact appears to be that some people are ending up in hospital because of the omicron variant. Not much detail is known about those group of people, more should be inquired, but all should stay safe as much as possible.
The traditional Trafalgar Square party and fireworks in London.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland tighter rules are now in place for pubs, bars and restaurants and there are restrictions on the number of people who can gather.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay events have been cancelled, while Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford has asked those travelling to England to see in the new year to “think consciously and carefully” about their plans.
Northern Ireland’s new reduced self-isolation rules allowing people with Covid to be released after seven days if they test negative twice on days six and seven, have come into force.
Speaking in a message that will be posted on social media later, Mr Johnson said “incredible” numbers of people had responded to the call to get vaccinated.
He added: “It’s precisely because of that huge national effort that we can celebrate tonight at all. Though I must of course urge everyone to be cautious and to take a test if you are going out and to remember the importance of ventilation. Follow the rules if you are in Scotland or Wales or Northern Ireland.”