The libertarian wing of the Conservative backbenches has bridled against the tiered restrictions, asking for exemptions for rural areas. Leading medics who spoke to the Observer last week described hospitals at breaking point from the pressure of rapid rises in Covid patient numbers, winter illnesses and exhausted staff. “I wish he had the guts to say what he really wants to do, to cancel the plans people have made and cancel Christmas,” Johnson said at prime minister’s questions in the House of Commons. “Without action, the evidence suggests that infections would soar, hospitals would become overwhelmed and many thousands more would lose their lives,” he said. The NHS is trying to clear the enormous backlog of routine surgery, so those staff are not working on emergency and critical care wards.

Source: The Guardian December 19, 2020 21:45 UTC