Robert Jenrick struggles to explain new coronavirus messaging from government | Latest Brexit news and top stories – The New European

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PUBLISHED: 09:25 10 May 2020 | UPDATED: 09:59 10 May 2020

Cash Boyle

Communities Minister Robert Jenrick appeared on Sophy Ridge today, Sunday May 10, to explain the government's new coronavirus slogan. Picture: Sophy Ridge on Sunday

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Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives has replaced the previous slogan of Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives, in an update which presenter Sophy Ridge called so vague, its bordering on being meaningless.

Jenrick responded by justifying the update, arguing that a broader message is required because were now past the peak.

He then outlined the definition of stay alert, which to the trained eye contained most of the criteria required by the previous messaging, such as adhering to social distancing and strict hygiene, alongside the all-encompassing respecting others.

The apparent lack of difference in substance between the old and new messaging led the presenter to label the advice as wooly, making the point that a person can be alert anywhere: You can stay alert whilst staying at home, you can stay alert and go to work, you can stay alert while having 20 of your friends over for a party.

Jenrick refused to be drawn on the specifics of any possible easing of lockdown, leaving that job to prime minister Boris Johnson, who is expected to outline the practical changes at tonights daily briefing.

He did clarify, however, that staying at home will remain an important part of the message, despite no longer featuring on the official slogan.

Countering this, Ridge argued that the stay at home message really ought to be ditched entirely, given the degree to which people have broken lockdown over the past few days of hot weather.

The communities minister didnt address the overwhelming evidence that this message is no longer as effective as it once was, choosing to assert that the vast majority of the public are being responsible.

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Robert Jenrick struggles to explain new coronavirus messaging from government | Latest Brexit news and top stories - The New European