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Hours after Boris Johnson says UK must ‘learn to live with’ COVID-19, Queen Elizabeth tests positive

February 20, 2022 | | Print Article

Starting next week, if you test positive for COVID-19 in England, you will no longer be forced to self-isolate. The United Kingdom has a new plan for handling the virus: They are going to learn to live with it.

“I’m not saying that we should throw caution to the winds, but now is the moment for everybody to get their confidence back,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the BBC. “We’ve reached a stage where we think you can shift the balance away from state mandation, away from banning certain courses of action, compelling certain courses of action, in favor of encouraging personal responsibility.”

In a plan he is expected to detail in Parliament on Monday, Johnson now wants to end the legal restrictions he imposed on his citizens and empower people to protect themselves.

But according to a report from AP News, not everyone in his government supports the move, with some of his scientific advisers claiming it was “risky.”

The health spokesman for the Labour Party, Wes Streeting, stated it was akin to “declaring victory before the war is over.”

But Johnson argues that COVID will never be over.

“COVID will not suddenly disappear, and we need to learn to live with this virus and continue to protect ourselves without restricting our freedoms,” he said.

It’s interesting timing for the pivot.

While here in the States, we’ve seen countless examples of celebrities and politicians ignoring the mask mandates, Boris Johnson may still lose his job over it. Last month, the Prime Minister was raked over the coals when photos of him partying maskless while his country was in lockdown sparked a UK scandal.

Just as in the US, where Democratic states such as California are suddenly easing COVID restrictions and lifting mandates, many are wondering if this move by the Prime Minister is simply away to appease his critics and keep his position.

“‘Protect my job without facing the consequences,'” tweeted one user.

https://twitter.com/DameDeniseMina/status/1495341976631320581?s=20&t=JYtiV747eT52S5bNPh8aLA

The news is especially difficult for some Brits to accepts, as, on the very same day Johnson’s interview aired, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Queen Elizabeth has tested positive for the virus.

“Buckingham Palace confirm that The Queen has today tested positive for covid,” read a short statement from the palace. “Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week. She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.”

It begs the question: Which “appropriate guidlelines”?

The Queen is not the only Royal who has taken ill recently. Within the past ten days, both Prince Charles and Camilla have also tested positive.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Johnson stated, “I’m sure I speak for everyone in Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from COVID and a rapid return to vibrant good health.”

The well wishes come just three hours after he posted this thread, echoing his comments to the BBC.

“Thanks to our successful vaccination programme and the sheer magnitude of people who have come forward to be jabbed, we are now in a position to set out our plan for living with COVID this week,” Johnson tweeted.

Melissa Fine
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