Brief. Me - December 16, 2025 7:34 am
In today’s briefing update, the Sunday papers report on the government’s contingency plan in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
In our special feature, we take a closer look at how the coronavirus is affecting the UK, the government’s plans and what comes next.
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Virus threat: emergency law to boost NHS volunteers
The Observer leads with the government’s contingency plan in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The paper outlines emergency legislation that would make it easier for people to volunteer in the NHS or care homes, and plans for courts to use telephones and video links. They add the government has held an emergency meeting with sports bodies to discuss stadium closures.
Read the full story on the Guardian
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Sunak: I will not let the virus cripple economy
The Sunday Telegraph carries an interview with the Chancellor Rishi Sunak, ahead of his first Budget on Wednesday, in which he promises “targeted” help for businesses and workers to “get through to the other side” of an economic downturn in the event of an epidemic.
Read the full story on the Daily Telegraph
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Whitehall plans for the worst as virus spreads
The Sunday Times says ministers are preparing for a potential coronavirus death toll of up to 100,000 comparing this to a previously reported figure of 500,000 deaths if 80% of the population were affected. The paper also says exam boards are drawing up contingency plans to delay GCSEs and A-Levels, should the outbreak worsen by late April and early May.
Read the full story on the Times
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24-hour food aid for virus hotspots
The Sunday Express says the new emergency measures will allow 24-hour deliveries to be taken into coronavirus hotspots. It adds that an “army” of three million volunteers is on standby to ease NHS pressure.
Read the full story on the Daily Express
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Your country needs you
The Sunday People declares “Your Country Needs You” as it issues a “plea” for volunteers to fight the coronavirus.
Read the full story on the Daily Mirror
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Queen: I won’t let the virus stop me doing my duty
The Mail on Sunday leads with the Queen’s response to the coronavirus. Reporting she has “vowed” not to let the outbreak stop her from performing her duties. The front page also carries a full-length image of the Duchess of Sussex who attended one of her last official events with Prince Harry before they step down.
Read the full story on the Daily Mail
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https://wtxnews.com/2020/03/08/italy-on-lockdown-and-prime-minister-places-the-north-under-quarantine/
UK Weather Forecast
Sunday 8 March 2020
Sunrise 06:30
Sunset 17:56
Today
Today will see a mixture of sunny spells and showers for most. The showers could be heavy at times with the risk of hail and thunder in the west. Fewer showers in the east. Remaining windy.
Tonight
Tonight will see showers persist in the north and west for much of the evening. Showers could be quite heavy at times. Clearer conditions expected for the south and east. Remaining quite blustery.
Financial Update
Exchange Rates
US Dollar $ $1.21 120.3
UAE Dirham 4.45 4.41
Euro 1.09 1.08
Swiss Franc 6.76 6.62
Tweet of the Day
As the #coronavirus continues to spread, and travel restrictions tighten, many artists have been canceling previously-scheduled concerts. #MariahCarey is the latest, postponing her March 10 show in Honolulu. Details: https://t.co/drfL9PSGmv pic.twitter.com/lI8jkSwKGX
— billboard (@billboard) March 4, 2020
Treat of the week
Msmen / Rghaif / Marokkaanse pannenkoek
Featured Story
Coronavirus UK
BBC News says the government has outlined emergency legislation to tackle coronavirus, including plans to allow people to leave their jobs and volunteer to care for those affected.
The proposals include court cases which would be heard via video links.
It comes ahead of an expected move from the UK’s “containment” phase of the outbreak.
The Chancellor will deliver his first Budget next Wednesday and has said he will address the outbreak.
On Saturday, England’s deputy chief medical officer said the UK remained in the containment phase but was “teetering on the edge” of sustained transmission.
Confirmed UK virus cases rose from 164 on Friday to 209 by Saturday.
WTX News investigates into whether the UK is panic-buying.
The spreading of the coronavirus and the growing worry about it has reportedly led to UK consumers panic buying.
There is a growing number of reported empty shelves as people rush to stock up on products such as hand sanitiser, toilet papers, pasta and rice.
Supermarkets have reported a spike in demand amid concerns that the coronavirus could lead to shortages. And chemists have had to start rationing the sales of hand sanitizers after stock ran low.
It’s not clear whether the UK is panic-buying just yet, but a survey from Retail Economics says as many as one in 10 UK consumers are stockpiling, based on a sample of 2,000 shoppers.
The Guardian says NHS England has confirmed it will provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to GP surgeries to help deal with the coronavirus outbreak, following complaints from ill-equipped doctors.
In a letter sent to all 7,000 English GP surgeries on Thursday, NHS England made it clear it will provide every surgery with a full supply of PPE gear, which will help keep staff who come into contact with suspected coronavirus cases safe and help to minimise the spread of the virus.
More than 20 GP practices have been forced to close temporarily over concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
MIrror says the UK outbreak of the coronavirus will peak at Easter and experts fear six months of chaos.
Dr Peter Piot is convinced that thousands of people in Britain already have the virus, and the number of people diagnosed will rise sharply.
The worst could come next month, he warned, with a peak expected around Easter.
In an interview with theTimes, the scientist said the virus could also make a return next winter – meaning it’s hugely important to develop a vaccine.
He said: “We’ve got a reasonable worst-case scenario… that involves 80% of the population and we think the mortality rate is one per cent or lower. I expect it to be less than that.
“It takes about 12 weeks to reach the peak, then maybe about 12 weeks to go away again.”
