this is bbc news. the headlines... scotland's first minister sets out how the lockdown might be eased, but says now is not the right time. our steps will need to be careful, gradual, incrementaland our steps will need to be careful, gradual, incremental and probably quite small to start with. the first human trials in the uk for a coronavirus vaccine are expected to get under way in oxford today. i benefit too. it's not a selfless act. i am part of the community and if we find a vaccine then we all benefit. 20,000 households in england are being contacted from today, to take part in a study tracking coronavirus in the general population.

the economic impact of coronavirus — government borrowing could jump to its highest level in peacetime history. and, one of the nurses thanked by boris johnson for watching over him in intensive care, says her team was just just doing itsjob. this is bbc news, he was just another patient we were trying to do our best for. it was business as usual. the headlines: scotland‘s first minister sets out how the lockdown might be eased — but says now is not the right time. our steps will need to be careful, gradual, incremental and probably quite small to start with. the number of deaths from coronavirus in uk hospitals rises by 616 — good afternoon. to more than 18,700. scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon has set out her strategy for exiting the lockdown. the first human trials in the uk for a coronavirus vaccine she warned that the social are expected to get under distancing measures to prevent the spread of cornoavirus may have way in oxford today. to remain in place i benefit too. the rest of the year — it‘s not a selfless act.

and possibly beyond that. i am part of the community and if we find a vaccine ms sturgeon told a news conference then we all benefit. in edinburgh that a return to the normal life was not the economic impact of coronavirus — government borrowing could jump on the cards in the near future. to its highest level in other news — researchers in peacetime history. at oxford university are beginning the first human and one of the nurses thanked by boris johnson for watching trials of a possible over him in intensive care, vaccine against covid—19. says her team was just doing itsjob. 20,000 households in england are being asked to take part in a study to track the virus he was just another patient we were trying to do our best for. in the general population. it was business as usual. ministers will review advice given by scientific advisers on whether the use of face masks in public is effective in preventing the spread of coronavirus. and business output has fallen at its fastest rate on record — and new figures about government borrowing have underlined the scale good afternoon. of the damage done to scotland‘s first minister nicola sturgeon has set out her strategy the public finances. for exiting the lockdown. she warned that the social more on that distancing measures to prevent later — but first here's the spread of cornoavirus may have nicola surgeon outlining her plan to remain in place for easing scotland's lockdown. the rest of the year — and possibly beyond that.

ms sturgeon told a news conference it is only when we are sure that the virus is under control in edinburgh that a return that we can even start to ease any of the restrictions. to normal life was not and it is my next point really that on the cards in the near future. takes us to the hard part. a total of 18,738 patients when we do reach that stage, have now died in uk hospitals after testing the virus will be under control only because of the severity positive for coronavirus — up 616 according to the department of the restrictions we are all living with just now, but the virus of health. will not have gone away. those figures don‘t include people who‘ve died in care homes as we start to lift or in the community. the restrictions, the real risk, in other news — researchers and it is a very real risk, at oxford university are beginning is that covid—19 runs rampant again. the first human trials of a possible so a return to normal, vaccine against covid—19. as we knew it, is not on the cards 20,000 households in england are being asked to take part in the near future and it is really in a study to track the virus important that i am upfront in the general population. with you right now about that. ministers will review advice given by scientific advisers what we will be seeking to do on whether the use of face masks is find a new normal, in public is effective in preventing a way of living alongside this virus the spread of coronavirus. but in a form that keeps it under control and stops it taking and business output has fallen the toll we know it can do. at its fastest rate on record — and new figures about government social distancing and limiting our borrowing have underlined the scale contact with others will be a fact of the damage done to the public finances. of life for a long time to come. more on that

later — but first here‘s certainly until treatments nicola surgeon outlining her plan and ultimately a vaccine offer for easing scotland‘s lockdown. different solutions, so that means possibly for the rest of this year, it is only when we are sure that the and maybe even beyond. virus is under control that we can even start to ease any and that is why talk of the restrictions. of lifting the lockdown, and it is my next point really that as if it is a flick of a switch takes us to the hard part. moment, is misguided. when we do reach that stage, 0ur steps, when we take them, will need to be careful, gradual, the virus will be under control only incremental and probably quite small because of the severity to start with. of the restrictions we are all living with just now, but the virus we will need to assess them in advance and monitor them in action. will not have gone away. sometimes, as i said as we start to lift before, we might even need to reverse things. the restrictions, the real risk, and it is a very real risk, is that covid—19 runs rampant again. let's speak to our scotland so a return to normal, as we knew it, is not on the cards in the near future and it is really correspondent, alexandra mackenzie. important that i am upfront the first minister not trying to with you right now about that. give full hope. no. what she was what we will be seeking to do is find a new normal, saying is we need to adjust our a way of living alongside this virus lives alone to live with this virus. but in a form that keeps it under she made it clear that we will not be going back to life as it was control and stops it taking

the toll we know it can do. before coronavirus anytime soon. but she was also acknowledging that we social distancing and limiting our contact with others will be a fact cannot live in this complete of life for a long time to come. lockdown indefinitely. she said that certainly until treatments pat certainly had negative and ultimately a vaccine offer consequences, not only for the different solutions, so that means possibly for the rest of this year, economy, but also for people's mental health. she said this was and maybe even beyond. very much a framework and it was not and that is why talk the time to relax any of the of lifting the lockdown, as if it is a flick of a switch restrictions. she talked, as you moment, is misguided. our steps, when we take them, heard, about social distancing. she will need to be careful, gradual, said it is likely to be with us for incremental and probably quite small some time to come, possibly until to start with. the end of the year or beyond that. we will need to assess them in some of the detail that she did give advance and monitor them in action. in terms of when things may start to sometimes, as i said before, we might even need to reverse things. relax and be lifted is that it could be different parts of the economy at our scotland correspondent, alexandra mackenzie gave us the reaction different times. it could be different times. it could be different parts of the country at to nicola sturgeon‘s announcement. what she was saying different parts of the country at different times. she gave no timeframe but talked a little bit is we need to adjust our about the impact on schools and lives and learn to different businesses about how live with this virus. things would be different. it would she made it clear that we will not

not be a case of possibly everyone be going back to life as it was going back at the same time. people before coronavirus any time soon. but she was also would have to adjust to working acknowledging that we cannot live in this complete differently and particularly to lockdown indefinitely. social distancing. she mentioned she said that certainly had negative mass gatherings and said we are not likely to see them anytime soon. consequences, not only for the economy, but also for people‘s places like pubs and restaurants are mental health. not likely to open anytime soon she has said this was very much a framework and it‘s not the time to relax any either. it is pretty sobering. thank of these restrictions. she talked there, as you heard, you. about social distancing. let's speak to our chief political correspondent, she said it is likely vicki young, at westminster. to be with us for some time to come, possibly it's striking listening to scott until the end of the year or possibly even beyond that. when‘s first minister. she is not some of the detail that she did give giving any specifics —— scotland's. in terms of when things may start to relax and be lifted is that it could be different parts of the economy at different times. it could be different parts of the country at does this put pressure on the different times. she gave no timeframe westminster government? yes, it does, particularly her language in but talked a little bit talking about having a grown—up of the impact on schools conversation about this. cabinet and different businesses about how ministers here in london have also things would be different.

worried about that. they have it would not be a case of possibly everyone thought that the devolved going back at the same time. people would have administrations perhaps would talk to adjust to working differently and particularly more openly and that would convince to social distancing. the uk government to do the same. she mentioned mass gatherings and said we are not ministers have wanted to stick to likely to see them anytime soon. that core message of staying at home. they think it is simple, places like pubs and restaurants effective and they do not want to are not likely to open anytime divert it because as we can see soon either. every day, there is still hundreds scientists at of people dying. they are not ready oxford university are expected to talk about any of the measures to begin the first trial on humans they may be considering. i don't of a possible vaccine think any final decisions have been for coronavirus. made, but there is a point about the team says if all goes well, they hope to have a million preparing people. whether that is doses ready by september. preparing people. whether that is preparing people. whether that is preparing people that we are going yesterday, the government‘s chief medical adviser warned to have to live alongside this five that it was unlikely a vaccine would be ready this year, and social distancing measures would have to remain until one was found. virus for the very long time. in other developments, 20,000 households in england are being asked to take part in a study to track covid—19 she talks there about classrooms having to be reconfigured. she in the general population. talked about businesses having to jane dreaper reports. think about how they could make sure the faces of lives lost workers could socially distance. in this medical emergency. that is going to take a lot of more than 18,000 people in the uk preparation. ministers are going to have to give some notice to

who had coronavirus have now died. businesses, schools and others before they can start lifting some the virus is still a new one, but scientists at oxford university of the measures. it is very clear have worked quickly to get that when the measures are changed, to the point where they hope they are going to be changed very, to start testing a potential vaccine on 500 people. very gradually. that is because developing and producing any across the united kingdom, you can successful vaccine will take many months, though. hear from the scientists, medical professionals and politicians, they are very worried about a second we‘re not going to see a vaccine available and proven and tested and ready to go wave, a second peter of infections. in the next few weeks. it is going to some way down that could then mean a further the line before that. it is good news that it is happening, but we have got lockdown. —— peak. to continue to focus on what is working in terms of flattening the curve and dealing scientists at oxford university with this virus right now. half the volunteers will receive are expected to begin the first the potential coronavirus vaccine, trial on humans of a possible while the other half will be given vaccine for coronavirus. the team says if all goes well, a jab that protects against meningitis. they hope to have a million they will not be told doses ready by september. which they are getting, yesterday, the government's chief medical adviser warned but they are happy to be part that it was unlikely a vaccine of this crucial research. would be ready this year, this virus is affecting everyone in society. and social distancing measures it's affecting my parents, would have to remain until one was found. i benefit as well. it's not a selfless act. in other developments, i am part of the community and if we find a vaccine 20,000 households in england then we all benefit.

are being asked to take part it is a small, well—managed, in a study to track covid—i9 well—regulated risk that in the general population. i feel able to take. jane dreaper reports. the faces of lives lost everyone is facing some worry in this medical emergency. and anxiety at the moment, be it the household finance, more than 18,000 people be it worried about their family in the uk who had coronavirus or health or friends. have now died. some people are more at risk than others. the virus is still a new one, god forbid, about bereavement loss. but scientists at oxford university have worked quickly to i don't think the risk of the trial get to the point where they hope to is significantly greater or more start testing a potential alarming than any of the reality vaccine on 500 people. is that all of us face. there has been heated debate about whether the public developing and producing any should wear facemasks. successful vaccine will take many months, though. scientists advising government will tell ministers later what they think. we're not going to see a vaccine available and proven they are not expected to recommend and tested and ready to go in the next few weeks. the widespread use of medical masks it is going to some way down and doctors point out that other the line before that. it is good news that face coverings have drawbacks. it is happening, but we have got to continue to focus we think that it potentially means that people are touching their mouth on what is working in terms of flattening the curve and dealing and theirface more often. we know that the masks may become contaminated with other with this virus right now. people‘s coughs and sneezes. half the volunteers will receive the and also, when people take them on and off again. potential coronavirus vaccine, while the other half at a time when we are relying will be given a jab that

protects against meningitis. heavily on science, we have got they will not be told to be honest and say that sometimes which they are getting, but they are happy to be part science does not give us of this crucial research. perfect answers, and this is probably one of those times. this virus is affecting everyone in society. it's affecting my parents, 25,000 people will provide nose and throat swabs i benefit as well. in the new government study to find it's not a selfless act. i am part of the community out more about the spread and if we find a vaccine of coronavirus. then we all benefit. this will help researchers work it is a small, well—managed, well—regulated risk on new tests and treatments. that i feel able to take. lockdown continues in the meantime, everyone is facing some and we are being warned that any move away from the current worry and anxiety at restrictions will be very gradual. the moment, be it the household if people are hoping finance, be it worried about their family or health or friends. that it is suddenly going to move from where we are now in lockdown suddenly into everything is gone, that is a wholly some people are more unrealistic expectation. we are going to have to do a lot at risk than others. of things over really quite a long period of time. god forbid, about bereavement loss. the question is, what i don't think the risk is the best package? this is what we are of the trial is trying to work out. significantly greater or more the government says it needs to be alarming than any of the reality is confident that the rate of infection that all of us face. has gone down to a manageable level there has been heated debate about whether the before ordinary life public should wear facemasks. scientists advising government can begin to resume. will tell ministers later what they this can mean more widespread think. testing and also a system they are not expected to recommend the widespread use of for tracking who people medical masks and doctors point out with the virus have that other face coverings have come into contact with.

drawbacks. we think that it potentially means that people are touching their mouth and jane dreaperjoins me now. and their face more often. we know that the masks may become contaminated with other people's coughs and sneezes. and also, when people take them on and let‘s talk through the latest daily off again. figures from hospitals, can we say at a time when we are relying heavily on science, we have now that we have almost certainly got to be honest and say that sometimes science does not give us passed the peak? experts who track perfect answers, and this the data are pretty sure we have is probably one of those times. passed the peak in deaths which is 25,000 people will provide nose and throat really good news, in terms of the swabs in the new government study deaths in hospitals around the uk. to find out more about the spread of coronavirus. the latest figures today are just this will help researchers work on new tests and treatments. over 18,700, it is clearly a massive figure with the lot of individual lockdown continues in the meantime, and we are being warned that any move away behind every one of those deaths. in from the current restrictions will be very gradual. general the number of deaths has gone up by 616, that is on if people are hoping that it is suddenly going to move from yesterday‘s figure, it sounds like a where we are now in lockdown big increase but we are seeing a suddenly into everything is gone, that is a wholly levelling off, it is a gradual unrealistic expectation. decline rather than a sudden drop we are going to have to do a lot off is what experts expect with a of things over really quite pandemic. we are expecting the first a long period of time. the question is, what is the best package? this is what we are vaccinations, extraordinary the

trying to work out. the government says it needs to be progress this team in oxford has confident that the rate of infection made, but the first human trial of a has gone down to a manageable level before ordinary life can begin to vaccination that could prevent resume. coronavirus. taking place maybe this this can mean more widespread testing and also a system afternoon, just two people for tracking who people initially. that is right but it will with the virus have come into contact with. build up to a number of hundreds and then expand to a number of thousands, how they are doing this our health correspondent nick triggle has been explaining more trial is that half of the volunteers about the government's plans involved in it will receive the to further expand testing. potential coronavirus vaccine, the candidate vaccine they hope will 25,000 volunteers have been recruited to be tested regularly, become suitable for widespread use, to see if they have the infection. the other half will receive a eventually that will vaccine that protects against increase to 300,000. meningitis. people will not know the importance of that is to work individually which one they will out how much of the virus receive. the scientists will look at is circulating in the community, the data as a whole and track it and and, crucially, if the rate see whether it works out, they need of infection is increasing. to establish it is safe, it is at the moment we are relying effective on a wide scale and also on using hospital admissions you have to scale up the and estimating back from there how manufacturing. there is a long road much virus is in the community. ahead but to get to the stage just now, if we can detect it earlier, four months into assigning this it will help us get out of lockdown, virus in the world is incredible.” gradually easing those restrictions was talking to professor sarah and seeing what the impact gilbert who is leading that team and of that will have. she is saying they are expecting

about 5000 volunteers by the idea is but we also need to have widespread testing in the community they will get the vaccine, some half for the general public too. of them will get it and then they that will be to help contain any continued leading their lives as local outbreaks, to identify cases, trace their contacts and isolate normal complete with social distancing and see whether they catch the virus or are protected. at them if need be. the government set a target an individual level for the people to achieve 100,000 tests volunteering for this research, it by the end of the month, isa volunteering for this research, it is a very selfless thing they have that is next week. done because you can have a side currently there's only effect with a vaccine, often it is 40,000 tests available. just a sore arm but they are testing we're only testing actually half of that, so there something that is new. they will not is still some way to go. know whether they have the vaccine i think we will hear more about that in the daily televised for the virus itself, they will not know whether they have received that briefing later today. so they are doing something on behalf of the wider community and the greater good. tell us about the swa b tests the greater good. tell us about the swab tests being sent out to homes. 20,000 households, just to give you a few figures swab tests being sent out to homes. 20 , 000 households, about swab tests being sent out to homes. 20,000 households, about 5000 people coming through in relation to the in this first stage. —— 25,000 confirmed deaths of hospitals in people. it is to find out at a england, and we have too stressed community level in her own homes and that these come out piecemeal at areas to try and get better around about this time, the figures information about the spread of coronavirus. it is only when the just for england's confirmed government has that information that reported deaths in hospitals stand advisers will be able to start

considering whether we can start easing some of the lockdown at 16,786. that means another 514 measures. thank you. people who had tested positive for government borrowing covid—19 have sadly died. those are could jump to its highest level in peacetime history the latest figures. a further 514. because of the coronavirus lockdown. our economics correspondent andy verity has been looking at the figures, the patients were aged between 31 from the office for national statistics. they are pretty startling. that is and 100 years old. 16 out of those right, also from the debt management 514 had no known underlying health office, the arm of government that conditions. that is as far as is goes out and borrows the money from known at this stage. a small international investors. you have spending rocketing because of the proportion had no underlying health measures to support the economy, conditions, that is what is believed paying people‘s wages, supporting at this stage. subsequent tests can incomes and on the other hand the prove differently, but that is the government revenues are plummeting because the shutdown means not much understanding. those are the figures for england. a further 17 people is coming in on the way of national dying in wales after testing insurance. looking at how much the positive for covid—19. that brings government is going to borrow the total figure startling. by the end of april it positive for covid—19. that brings the totalfigure in positive for covid—19. that brings the total figure in wales to 641. there is either latest figures from will have borrowed £45 billion, that england and wales in the last few is more then we spent in a whole

year on the police and safety or on moments. sadly the latest death toll primary schools. then if you look at there for people dying with me tojuly, they are going to going to have to borrow another £180 covid—19. we have been talking about billion. overfour months economic issues as a result of to have to borrow another £180 billion. over four months that is £225 billion, which is about an coronavirus. government borrowing could jump eighth of the size of a whole entire to its highest level in peacetime history because of the coronavirus lockdown. economy. it is far faster borrowing 0ur economics correspondent than the labour government did in andy verity has been looking at the figures, the financial crisis. the resolution foundation has concluded that if the from the office for national shutdown goes on more than it is currently projected to, if it lasts statistics. six months, the government would have to borrow 500 billion, half £1 they are i watering. can i use that trillion. the sort of debt you don‘t term? the extremity of the pay off for decades. the problem is coronavirus outbreak is also the government... so many people are reflected in extreme economic issues having to stay at home and unable to that are arising out of the work, the government is getting less tax. that is right, we have antivirus measures. we already knew the government was going to have to effectively an economic shutdown. borrow a lot more, but now we have what is extraordinary is you are learned exactly how much they looking at a successful government planned to borrow over the next four policy, governments around the world we should say, which is causing the months. in april alone, they

biggest recession we have seen more borrowed £45 billion. that is in one than century. this success in month. somewhat more than we spend fighting the virus and trying to save lives, or so we think at least, in one yearon but in terms of the shutdown we are month. somewhat more than we spend in one year on police, primary schools, for example. in july, seeing some figures that show what in one year on police, primary schools, for example. injuly, the the key decision makers think, who debt managing office says it will have to borrow £180 billion. 0ver decide on hiring and firing and the course of four months, that is a buying and supplies and keeping an eye on orders. normally this index, if it is above the 50 it suggests total of £225 billion. that is if the economy is growing but as you the shutdown only last as long as it can see on the chart it is actually is currently projected. if it goes plummeted recently down from more on for six months, it could cost 500 than 50 in february two 12.9 in billion, half £1 trillion, about a april which suggests the biggest quarter of the value of the entire economic contraction we have had more than a century. we had that economy. it is another reminder of underlined by a member of the bank of england monetary policy committee the extent of borrowing and the who said that actually this is a bigger economic retraction than we figures are as they are partly, i have seen possibly in several centuries. what a thought, thank suppose, because tax revenues figures are as they are partly, i suppose, because tax revenues are you. down. suppose, because tax revenues are down. that is exactly right. if tax

reve nu es down. that is exactly right. if tax revenues come down because there is nearly fifty—thousand major sporting events were scheduled for 2020, not vat or income tax running in but the impact of coronavirus, and measures like social because people are not working or distancing and travel bans, buying things in the shops, the mean only around half of them are likely to take place government's income comes down. in by the end of the year. order to meet spending commitments, the olympics and european football championships are some of the major it has to borrow the difference. events that have been postponed until at least next year, that is why we have the huge number. while others like wimbledon have been cancelled completely. reflecting the economic drop, we lord sebastian coe is the president of world athletics, he explained find out how serious it is. we have the challenge facing the sporting community. there are occasions where we have to statistics that take the views of key decision—makers and companies say with gritted teeth, was sport who watch orders coming in, watch how much they will need in terms of buying supplies and how many people simply has to take a back—seat. we they are going to need to employ. it are trying very best to get is not good news there. in spite of competitions back up and running for things like thejob retention scheme our competitors but that is what they want, i speak to them all the and other measures the government time. but we also know that we have has taken to soften the huge to do it in an environment where the economic blow, it is still judgments going to be made by public anticipating that there will be a health authorities, governments, we record jump in unemployment. we are don‘t want the athletes be put a seeing a record drop on the chart which shows output dropping now from difficult dangerous position. and particularly, not just difficult dangerous position. and

particularly, notjust for the even level... now it is just at themselves, but the risk of infecting their loved ones and families. this is a complicated 12. it reflects what is happening in landscape, but i have to say and we all hope that the virus is contained the united states. in the last hour, we have seen that in the us it is far worse in terms of unemployment and that we are able to get athletes than here in the uk. 26.4 million back into competition, but only when it is safe and sound to do so. we people have filed for unemployment have some very ingenious efforts, insurance injust people have filed for unemployment insurance in just five weeks. that including something we‘re going to ta kes insurance in just five weeks. that takes the us unemployment total up announce later in week about having to about 16%. it has gone from three athletes compete in a competition behind closed doors and then being or 4% to 16% able to engage at the same time with to about 16%. it has gone from three or4% to 16% in to about 16%. it has gone from three or 4% to 16% injust to about 16%. it has gone from three or 4% to 16% in just five weeks. in the uk, we can be glad that although athletes from other parts of the our unemployment will have a record world in competitions. look, yeah, nothing is ideal at the moment but jump our unemployment will have a record jump to, it will notjump quite as fast because the government is we live in an extraordinary borrowing money to help employers challenging environment. out. thank you very much. eu leaders are meeting this the headlines on bbc news... afternoon to discuss the eu‘s reponse to the pandemic — and there‘s expected to be bitter division over the huge aid scotland's first minister sets out package being set up how the lockdown might be eased — to help economies recover. but says now is not the right time. there‘s been criticism of the eu‘s

handling of the crisis — the first human trials in the uk particularly from italy, for a coronavirus vaccine the worst affected country. our rome correspondent are expected to get under way in oxford today. 20,000 households in england mark lowen reports. are being contacted from today, to take part in a study tracking coronavirus in the italy has lived through hell. the first in europe general population. to fall to the virus, the first to call for help. but in its hour of greatest need, italy says it was abandoned by an eu that hoarded safety equipment, closed borders, failed to come together as one. germany did eventually another 4.4 million americans have claimed unemployment airlift italian patients benefit in the past week. and sent in supplies, but others, like russia, it comes on top of the 22 million were louder, dispatching people in the united states who have aid and medics here — seizing the chance sought benefits since the start to fill the vacuum. of the coronavirus crisis. it even prompted a mea culpa from the head 0ur north america business of the european commission. correspondent samira hussain is in new york. too many were not there on time when italy needed a helping hand every week we talk about this and at the very beginning, and yes, for that, it is right that the numbers are staggering. they europe as a whole offers absolutely are. we saw that 4.4 a heartfelt apology. million americans applied for in 1957 the treaty of rome was signed right here inside this unemployment insurance last week. building establishing that is down from the 5.2 million the european economic community —

that we saw a week earlier and down the forerunner of the european union — by its six founding members, from the 6.6 million that we saw two one of which was italy. this country has always been proud weeks prior to that. what economists at being at the heart are suggesting is that perhaps we of the european idea, and now many here feel let down have already reached the apex and we by the project it helped to form. might start seeing some of those the crisis in relations has played weekly unemployment claims start to into the hands of the extreme right. come down. there is no sugar—coating some of its members making a public this. the unemployment situation and display of hostility, belabour market in the united feeding anti—european sentiment, states, in just a few months, went now at its highest ever here. from one of the strongest this but italy‘s hard right leader says europe made italians fall out of love with it. country has seen in decades to one of the worst the country has seen in translation: what provokes anti—european feeling is the eu‘s inadequacy to respond, decades. as we discussed, in this or the idea the eu gives of italy as a beggar country, this becomes part of the needing to be helped, wasting its money. political conundrum facing politicians. human health, human lives versus the sheer economic impact which, further down the line, the european union exists thanks to italy but it is a system that fails can also impact human health. other countries, not italy. absolutely. 0f can also impact human health. absolutely. of course you want to treat the pandemic and do so in

do you think italy should still terms of keeping everyone safe, but remain a member of the eu? i think so. the flip side is why you are seeing in the bookshops reopened this week, italy‘s historical ties so many protests in different part with europe are on show, of the united states, people feel but as are its current battles too, like they are using their with a disease that has shaken livelihoods, they do not have their the roots of european cooperation. jobs any more, they are depending on i was pro—european and i have changed my mind. food banks. that for them, as well, i don‘t believe any more is protection of their lives which in the union because i don‘t think is protection of their lives which is why you are seeing so many there is solidarity. americans trying to reopen the we felt betrayed. economy as quickly as possible. it i feel european so i hope is also why you are seeing that everything will change. congress, us lawmakers, are trying we need europe and europe needs us, to pass another $480 billion and i believe that italy will break if it will go out of europe. stimulus package. $300 billion of thatis stimulus package. $300 billion of that is going to go to help small this country has fought many battles in its long history, businesses to try and retain some of their workers on payroll, so you but now one with its allies to help will not see as many people claiming it emerge, recover, rise up again. unemployment insurance. thanks very mark lowen, bbc news, rome. much for now. the government's scientific advisers german chancellor angela merkel are due to present their findings says her country must remain "clever and cautious" in handling to ministers on whether the public the coronavirus crisis, should wear face masks to help amid the easing of some control the spread of coronavirus. lockdown restrictions there. some of germany‘s schools

some countries have already have begun to re—open, including this secondary school made the use of masks near the city of dusseldorf, in public places compulsory, but only students sitting leaving but advisers here are expected to say that the public should not exams are allowed to attend, and strict social distancing wear medicalface masks — rules are in place. the country has flattened the curve of new infections, but strict social distancing rules remain. although perhaps we will be advised angela merkel has warned that europe they should feel free is still at the beginning to cover their faces with scarves or home—made masks. of the coronavirus crisis. president trump has played down the risk of a second wave joining me now is aliza regerfrom of the virus in the us, the lingerie companyjanet reger. as some states start the firm works with a supplier to lift their restrictions. in the states which is making mr trump told a white house briefing disposable face masks that the country had which are being sent within the us flattened the curve, and the disease might and to canada and china. not come back at all. he was contradicted by his top adviser on infectious diseases, anthony fauci — who said there is no doubt the virus you have been trying to get british will return, but the country firms interested in this as well?|j will be better prepared. have firms interested in this as well?” have contacted various companies one of the nurses who was thanked since the end of march, because i am by the prime minister for looking a very firm believer in the use of after him in intensive care has said boris johnson was just another facemasks even if it is just keeping patient the team was trying to do their best for. your own gems to yourself. it has to jenny mcgee, who‘s from invercargill

in new zealand, has been speaking about the huge number of messages be better than nothing. i read with she‘s received since being great interest this morning that namechecked by mrjohnson — including some from her own germany has made it mandatory to prime minister, jacinda ardern. wear a facemask in any public place. jenny mcgee has been ido talking to tv new zealand: wear a facemask in any public place. i do believe that when things open there was a lot of media interest appear, we will all be wearing about him being in hospital. to be honest, that probably masks, much as they are in hong was the toughest thing of the lot. kong. somebody that i work within as a unit, he was just another the normally supplying and making patient we were trying to do our best for, so it was business as usual. hosiery and socks and sleepwear has so you weren‘t even a little bit nervous? no, i honestly don‘t think i was. converted his factory to make masks. when i got in the car these are disposable masks. they are after work each night, and i could hear things about borisjohnson on the news, termed surgical masks but they are that was very surreal not what you would use in nicu because i thought, "wow, i‘ve just been looking after him." situation. they are not medical but i really wasn‘t fazed by looking masks, but they are disposable. what is really interesting as he is also after borisjohnson. and what about in terms of icu, now making a much more eco—friendly do you think they lowered the bar just because of who he is? version which is washable, reusable no, everyone — we take it very up version which is washable, reusable up to 40 times. i have onlyjust had seriously when people come into intensive care. the information through on that.

these patients who come in to us, your point is you have tried to it‘s a very scary thing for them. contact high—street stores in this so we don‘t take it lightly. country to say, i know of someone and he absolutely needed to be there. who is making one, have you thought talk to us about how he found out selling them? you werejenny from new zealand? we just chatted away who is making one, have you thought selling them ? 0r who is making one, have you thought selling them ? or as who is making one, have you thought selling them? or as soon as my and it naturally came up. friend in the states told me about yeah, he was interested in where his factory and how he had converted it to mass production, i contacted a i came from, what my story was. friend of mine who is a director at we spent a lot of time together. superdrug and he was very yeah, we talked away responsive, sent it immediately down about new zealand. the line to his medical team and, you have been lauded notjust by britain‘s prime minister, but also new zealand prime minister, about ten days later, they came back jacinda ardern. what went through your mind? to my friend in america and said, he so, on the night it all happened is not a recorded supplier, he is i actually had to turn my phone off not registered with them, so they because it was just so overwhelming. and when i turned my phone cannot use it. i also e—mailed the back on in the morning, people were like, "jenny, you need to look at your facebook." i was being called a snob for not managing director of boots but have responding to jacinda ardern! heard nothing from him. i got in but it‘s very surreal touch with good morning britain and to have a message from jacinda.

she‘s a hero of mine. i think she‘s amazing. nothing from piers, although he is and she just said how proud she was of me, giving everyone a hard time. i and that the country was so proud. contacted the evening standard and it‘s so heart—warming and something i will never forget. ben put it on my facebook. having did you respond to the prime minister? said that, there have been lots of yes, i responded and she people enquiring about how to get messaged back immediately. them. my man in the states, one of a little bit of banter, which was again surreal. them. my man in the states, one of the supply chains he has is to be a couple of emojis. food manufacturing facilities. let's so, yeah, just a very, very surreal experience. see what response comes. for now, what are the biggest thank you very much and we're going challenges or issues that to be talking more about the science nurses are facing today? right now in the pandemic? of facemasks and little later this it is so tough out there at the moment. afternoon because we are waiting for we are being asked to look after more patients that scientific advice to go to the than we normally do. government. we are here on bbc news and it‘s tough. talking to a lot of scientists who these patients are quite complex when they come in. are experts in facemasks, their use covid‘s notjust affecting the lungs, it‘s affecting many and how they can be used correctly systems in the body. so they‘re complex, very, and, beyond lockdown, if they think very unwell patients we should be wearing them as regular that are coming through. members of the public as opposed to we‘re overwhelmed by patients.

we‘re just doing our best health workers. we will talk more about that and the science of it to save as many lives as we can. later in the afternoon. tonight, children in need and comic relief come eu leaders are meeting this together for the first time, afternoon to discuss the bloc‘s to raise money for people most response to the pandemic — affected by the outbreak. and there's expected to be bitter division over the huge aid ‘the big night in‘ features package being set up celebrities including lenny henry, to help economies recover. there's been criticism of the eu's peter kay and dawn french, and it‘s all on bbc handling of the crisis — one this evening. particularly from italy, the worst affected country. here‘s our entertainment 0ur rome correspondent mark lowen reports. correspondent, lizo mzimba. italy has lived through hell. each year, children in need and comic relief... the first in europe £63 million! to fall to the virus, the first to call for help. ..raise huge amounts for good causes. but in its hour of greatest need, tonight‘s event will be put together italy says it was abandoned by an eu a little differently, with many well—known names performing that hoarded safety equipment, closed borders, failed to come together as one. sketches from their homes. # the lord is my shepherd germany did eventually airlift italian patients and sent in supplies, # i shall not want!# but others, like russia, last night, i had the 1st meeting of were louder, dispatching aid and medics here — seizing the chance the dibley parish council, conducted to fill the vacuum. via an app called zoom! it even prompted a mea

culpa from the head of the european commission. and i have to tell you, it was the best parish too many were not there on time council meeting i have ever had! largely because none of the other when italy needed a helping hand councillors know how to get onto zoom. at the very beginning, and yes, for that, it is right that for one night only, children in need and comic relief get together europe as a whole offers to celebrate our nation‘s kindness and resolve with an evening of a heartfelt apology. star—studded entertainment to lift our spirits! in 1957 the treaty of rome was signed right here inside this it has all come together in just building establishing a few weeks, in less than straightforward circumstances. the european economic community — we are calling it the big night in. the forerunner of the european union — by its six founding members, children in need and red nose day one of which was italy. usually take months of meetings and planning. this country has always been proud at being at the heart it's only been challenging of the european idea, that we have had to do it quickly. and now many here feel let down what has made it so extraordinary by the project it helped to form. is the absolute passion of people to help. i think it is harder the crisis in relations has played into the hands of the extreme right. because it is less time, some of its members making a public but easier because everyone is so aware of how much display of hostility, feeding anti—european sentiment, difference the money is going to make. now at its highest ever here. the money raised will go to but italy's hard right leader says organisations like fareshare, which europe made italians fall sources surplus food out of love with it. and redistributes it to community groups, so that vulnerable people translation: what provokes can receive good quality meals.

anti—european feeling is the eu's inadequacy to respond, ijust thought i would show you some or the idea the eu gives of italy as a beggar of the donations that we have needing to be helped, received today. wasting its money. we have got all these pallets here that have come from suppliers‘ donations. these were all public donations. and it‘s notjust celebrities getting involved. peter kay will be recreating his famous amarillo do you think italy should still video, using clips sent in by key workers from around the uk. remember —— remain a member of the lizo mzimba, bbc news. eu? i think so. and you can watch the big night in in the bookshops reopened this week, italy's historical ties with europe are on show, from 7pm on bbc one. but as are its current battles too, with a disease that has shaken the roots of european cooperation. in a few minutes‘ time, we‘ll be i was pro—european and i joined by viewers on bbc one, have changed my mind. as we build up to today‘s coronavirus briefing i don't believe any more from the government, in the union because i don't think but now it‘s time for a look at the weather, with ben rich. there is solidarity. we felt betrayed. i feel european so i hope good afternoon, it is turned into yet another everything will change. largely dry and sunny day across the we need europe and europe needs us, uk, temperatures peaking around the middle 20s. as we go through this andl we need europe and europe needs us, and i believe that italy will break evening and tonight, we will stay if it will go out of europe.

dry with long clear spells. we will see more in the way of low cloud, this country has fought many battles in its long history, mist and fog developing across parts but now one with its allies to help it emerge, recover, rise up again. of eastern england, perhaps getting into parts of the midlands by the mark lowen, bbc news, rome. end of the night, temperatures typically between three and 9 degrees, could get a little colder for parts of eastern scotland were a touch of frost as possible. if ehrlich cold start due tomorrow, we that meeting happening virtually and we will keep an ion that as we think will have this area of low cloud and mist and fog across eastern england, we will keep an ion that as we think we might get a statement. that will break up and left and we are looking up plenty of dry weather now it's time for a look and sunshine. there is increasing at the weather with ben rich. chance of seeing odd showers break out across the high ground of wales and the south—west of england later in the day but most will be dry. temperatures peaking at around the middle 20 celsius as we go through temperatures down just a touch but still getting up to around 14 and 22 this evening and tonight. we will stay dry with clear spells. more in degrees. things changed subtly through the weekend, it turns a bit the way of missed and fog developing cooler, the chance of a shower but across eastern england, perhaps getting into parts of the midlands still a of dry weather. by the end of the night. temperatures between three and 9 degrees. could get colder in the east of scotland, where a touch of frost is possible. a fairly cold

sta rts frost is possible. a fairly cold starts tomorrow. an area of cloud, mist and fog, and when that lifts we will look at a dry weather once again. an increasing chance of seeing the shower breaking out over high ground in wales and the south—west of england later in the day. temperatures down just a touch but still getting up to between 14 and 22 degrees. a subtle change in the weekend. it turns cooler, the chance of a shower but still a lot of dry weather. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... scotland's first minister sets out how the lockdown might be eased — but says now is not the right time to lift restrictions. a further 514 people in england who tested positive for the coronavirus have died,

the total number of confirmed deaths in hospitals in england to more than16,700. the first human trials in the uk for a coronavirus vaccine are expected to get under way in oxford today. 20,000 households in england are being contacted from today, to take part in a study tracking coronavirus in the hello, this is bbc news, general population. with sophie raworth. the economic impact of coronavirus — the headlines: government borrowing could jump to its highest level scotland‘s first minister sets out how the lockdown might be eased, in peacetime history. but says now is not the right time and, one of the nurses thanked by boris johnson for watching to lift restrictions. over him in intensive care says the prime minister was just another patient we trying our best for. our steps, when we take them, will need to be careful, gradual, incremental and probably bite small to start with. the number of deaths from coronavirus in uk hospitals rises by 616, to more than 18,700. let's catch up with the latest sports news with 0llie foster. the first human trials in the uk phil neville will stand for a coronavirus vaccine down as head coach of the england lionesses are expected to get under way when his contract in oxford today. expires next summer.

he had been expected to take charge i benefit, too. it is not a selfless of the british team at the olympics act, iam this summer and then lead england i benefit, too. it is not a selfless act, i am part of the community and into the euros on home soil next if we find a vaccine, then we will year, but both events have been postponed by a year because of the pandemic. benefit. former england goalkeeper rachel brown—finnis thinks he should leave the role now. i knew his contract was up, so i would have thought it was inevitable, but given his current form i am surprised that the has not decided to step down sooner than next summer, given the shift in tournament schedules, stepping down now i think would be the right thing to do. uefa's executive committee is meeting today to discuss how european leagues and competitions can potentially resume. non—league football in england and wales is officially over, but what needs to be sorted is promotion and relegation issues at national league level. barrow are top, and looked like they would automatically go up to league two. those chasing them, including third

placed notts county, want a chance to get there as well, and there now will be a vote on how to decide the season's outcome. i think all options are probably on the table at the moment and they will hopefully be put to the clubs and what i hope is that everyone, you know, looks at the integrity of the game and finishing the season rather than taking the easy option ofjust, you know, saying, we've got nothing to play for, so let's make the same for other clubs, you know. leeds united's south stand at elland road will be renamed the norman hunter south stand. hunter, who won the first division title twice in his 14 years at the club, and also the fa cup and league cup, died last week after contracting coronavirus. he was 76. he also won 28 england caps and was a member of england's 1966 world cup—winning squad.

finally, we've reported at length the difficulties of elite athletes to stay sharp in lockdown. what if you have more than one sport? the heptathlon world champion, katarina johnson—thompson, has seven disciplines to train for. try doing that in a house, with two dogs. steve cram takes up the commentary. big threat, looking cool and calm. the world champion on home turf. they started with the 100 metre hurdles, over a box and a cushion which has the face of fellow athlete andrew pozzi on it. then it was the high jump onto the bed. the dogs failed with that one. then shotputting a sock into a drawer. the dogs got another run out in the garden in the 200 metres, around the shrubbery, before she set a personal best in the long jump, with a standing start,

while the kitchen and a paper aeroplane made up the javelin, and there was drama at the end of the 800 metres. and of course she won. still the champion even in her own house. i will have an opt out in the next hour. the chief medical officer for england has said it could be many months before lockdown restrictions can be lifted. experts say a vaccine is the best way to bring coronavirus under control. and one hopes live life more normally. tim muffett has been looking at how long it could take to develop. what normally takes years or decades is being attempted in months. a vaccine harmlessly shows viruses or bacteria to the immune system. the body's defences

recognise them as an invader and learn how to fight them. researchers at oxford university have put small sections of the genetic code of the coronavirus into a harmless virus that infects chimpanzees. they hope they have developed a safe virus that looks enough like the coronavirus to produce an immune response. we have used this vaccine technology before. we have seen it perform very well, so we think it is the best thing to use and that is why we are making the vaccine the way that we are doing. we think it gives us the best chance. what we have to do, though, is test it. we have to test it in people to look at the vaccine safety, to look at the immune response we get and finally to see if it actually protects people against the coronavirus. around 80 groups across the world, including major pharmaceutical companies, are trying to develop a vaccine. but how can trials be conducted so quickly while still being safe? all of the normal approaches to safety testing of the vaccine, the very careful, controlled manufacturing of the vaccine,

all of that is still being done. but normally, you would do one piece of work, get the results, then apply for some funding and then move onto another piece of work. that's not happening this time. we are doing everything at risk. that is not at a safety risk, it means that we start paying for work before we know that the first part has been successful. many believe that finding a vaccine is the only way our world can return to normal. but even with unprecedented global cooperation, how long will it take to produce one? 18 months is about what we would expect. we are doing everything we can. we will write cheques for those factories faster than governments can and they will come along. it definitely should not be money limited. the bill gates foundation has pledged more than $200 million to help develop a coronavirus vaccine and treatment. this is the whole world working on probably the most urgent tool that has ever been needed. scientists at imperial college in london are looking for volunteers to start testing their vaccine in june.

they are realistic, yet optimistic. a challenge like no other, but the response from scientists the world over has also been unprecedented. tim muffett, bbc news. professor brendan wren is the dean of the faculty of infectious diseases at the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine — hejoins me via webcam. good afternoon. good afternoon. we have been talking today about the fa ct have been talking today about the fact that the trial in oxford that they hope will get into its early stages today, under any measure it is people moving swiftly here. how come we have reached this stage already relatively quickly? there area number of already relatively quickly? there are a number of factors. i think the vaccine technology used by the 0xford group is quite a simple plug and play system that had been developed for many years and they have already tested versions of

this. also after the ebola outbreak five years ago in west africa, we know it trials a lot better and all around the way we develop vaccine technology has improved. you say a simple plug and play, may be that is scientists downplaying it. to arts graduates likes me it sounds extraordinarily impressive already but i know your point is there is a long way to go, so much safety testing has to be done, doesn't it? the yes, a large amount of safety testing has to be done but at least we have got the ball rolling there with these trials. many more will follow. many in the uk alone developing vaccines including my own, the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine, at least we have been able to get these trials on the road and they will provide essential data. absolutely, but the

trial is just that, we can't assume, can we commit that all the work that is currently being done is going to be done. there are already coronaviruses out in the world and we don't have vaccines for those, do we? we don't which is why it is good that i am aware there are groups worldwide trying to produce vaccines so we hope one of these work and i believe the technology they use come out the surrogate harness virus has been looked at previously and been shown to be a very good carrier for vaccine candidates, so we believe that the safety for these trials should be quite good and if the efficacy is what we would expect then many more candidates are in the pipeline. and i'm sure you get asked this all the time, but what is the sort of timescale that we are

looking at, given that there are so many stages to go through? may be i ama many stages to go through? may be i am a bit more of an optimist but i think with the right direction and with the success of the oxford trial or others, maybe by the end of the year we will have some vaccines available, for front line health workers, but for the whole population that will take a lot longer, the uk doesn't have a vaccine manufacturing facility, which is a real rate limiting step, so we will have to get around that. upscaling vaccines is very difficult and we have to think about quality control, packaging, distribution to namejust a control, packaging, distribution to name just a few things, so i think even with the world's most successful vaccine we really have to put a lot of effort into how we upscaled and manufactured it. that's really interesting, so at this stage the manufacturing largely has to be done abroad, and i understanding you correctly? we can do some in the uk

and the government to put money into facilities at oxford, ucl london and imperial, but they can only do small amounts of manufacturing up to the level where we can test that. to do it large—scale for the population is difficult. there are good facilities in belgium, france and germany and we may end up using those facilities, but it depends on the vaccine, some facilities, but it depends on the vaccine, some are facilities, but it depends on the vaccine, some are easier to manufacture than others. so if it is a very simple one that can be scaled up a very simple one that can be scaled up easily, then potentially it could be done in the uk but we will definitely be hoping to manufacture in that capacity. interesting to hear your respective, no bad thing to talk to someone who expresses a little optimism from time to time in the current circumstances. thank you, doctor brendan wren from the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine, talking about

vaccines. the first one getting under way, due to get under way today in oxford. the head of the armed forces has described coronavirus as the ‘single greatest logistic challenge' he has seen in 40 years of service. speaking at the coronavirus briefing from the uk government yesterday, general sir nick carter, chief of the defence staff, said thousands of personnel had been deployed to help tackle the virus, with 20,000 available at "high readiness". let's speak now to former military commander colonel richard kemp, who served in the armed forces for more than 20 years — and has been part of the government's emergency cobra committee briefings. good afternoon to you. good afternoon. what is your feeling about this? is your point that you would like to see even more military involvement? what is your assessment of the military‘s role thus far? involvement? what is your assessment of the military's role thus far?” think the military has a long history in this country of stepping into the breach when things go wrong and wejust into the breach when things go wrong and we just have to look back at

recent terrorist attacks at the 0lympics, before that virus strikes, dustbin strikes etc, as general carter said yesterday this is probably by far the greatest military effort that has been made in this country, certainly since the second world war. i believe that the armed forces provide an immediate available, well rehearsed, well practised source of manpower and planning expertise and where necessary equipment to step into exactly the sort of situation. i don't think, i think as general carter said yesterday, about 20,000 additional troops ready to do more if required and i have no doubt they will do more if required. 0ne if required and i have no doubt they will do more if required. one of the issuesis will do more if required. one of the issues is we are looking at a situation where there is not enough ppe and that is being dealt with i think by lord dighton being put in

asa think by lord dighton being put in as a kind of ppe za to manufacture, the question remains as to this mammoth adjuster charge will be overcome. i think there is always a relu cta nce overcome. i think there is always a reluctance on organisations like the nhs and police, to call for the army u nless nhs and police, to call for the army unless they are absolutely having no other choice, but i think there should be no reluctance in the situation to use as many of our 20,000 as they need to to try and resolve this problem. have you been talking to people you served alongside? what have they been saying to you? are they expressing surprise that there aren't more involved? what are you hearing?” found a bit of a mixed message. we saw in the media that certain members of the forces had expressed concern that the nhs system is not functioning correctly and they are not being used to do so. i've also seen other people and spoken to other people more recently and those who use it, i know from my own

experience, they think as far as it can do it is going very well and there is very good levels of coordination and cooperation between the armed forces and nhs. i don't think it's helpful for people in the forces to be criticising the nhs system publicly. 0f forces to be criticising the nhs system publicly. of course it is theirjob to try and criticise in private if they need to but the point that the cheap defence staff made yesterday, the army is very much ina made yesterday, the army is very much in a supporting role, there to help and that is what they should be doing and it should should be making themselves as available as they can be to do that. —— chief defence staff. there will be the odd throwaway comment criticising people they are swiftly working with. the point is they could be of enormous benefit logistically, you mentioned ppe and we know there were huge problems with distribution, just what we were told for several weeks, and your point is that is what the

army do, they can operate well in those circumstances and move swiftly. the armed forces are used to moving massive amounts of supplies and organising logistic tasks while people are trying to kill them. unfortunately in this situation, they should be able to manage more than usual. we shouldn't simply look at the army and armed forces and say they are solutions to this. as with lord dighton being put in charge of production of ppe, there are civilian organisations in this country that used to do vast budget glick -- country that used to do vast budget glick —— a group logistic problems who have perhaps not been brought in super and who have perhaps not been brought in superandi who have perhaps not been brought in super and i think there should be consideration if there hasn't been already to bring in some of these organisations that deal with this kind of thing is their bread and butter. the armed forces has a niche capability which can do a lot, but it may be that some of the gaps can be filled by commercial firms which,

for example major supermarket chains are used to taking massive amounts of deliveries around the country. they are also under great pressure now doing exactly that, but i am sure the expertise of such people is equally valuable that of the armed forces. for now, thank you very much. the headlines on bbc news... scotland's first minister sets out how the lockdown might be eased — but says now is not the right time. the first human trials in the uk for a coronavirus vaccine are expected to get under way in oxford today. 20,000 households in england are being contacted from today, to take part in a study tracking coronavirus in the general population. one of the nurses who was thanked by the prime minister for looking after him in intensive care has said

boris johnson was just another patient the team was trying to do their best for. jenny mcgee, who's from invercargill in new zealand, has been speaking about the huge number of messages she's received since being namechecked by mrjohnson — including some from her own prime minister, jacinda ardern. jenny mcgee has been talking to tv new zealand. there was a lot of media interest about him being in hospital. to be honest, that probably was the toughest thing of the lot. as a unit, he was just another patient we were trying to do our best for, so it was business as usual. so you weren't even a little bit nervous? no, i honestly don't think i was. when i got in the car after work each night, and i could hear things about borisjohnson on the news, that was very surreal because i thought, wow, i've just been looking after him. but i really wasn't fazed by looking after borisjohnson. and what about in terms of icu, do you think they lowered the bar

just because of who he is? no, everyone — we take it very seriously when people come into intensive care. these patients who come in to us, it's a very scary thing for them. so we don't take it lightly. and he absolutely needed to be there. talk to us about how he found out you werejenny from new zealand? we just chatted away and it naturally came up. yeah, he was interested in where i came from, what my story was. we spent a lot of time together. yeah, we talked away about new zealand. you have been lauded notjust by britain's prime minister, but also new zealand prime minister, jacinda ardern. what went through your mind? so, on the night it all happened i actually had to turn my phone off because it was just so overwhelming. and when i turned my phone back on in the morning, people were like, "jenny, you need to look at your facebook." i was being called a snob for not

responding to jacinda ardern! but it's very surreal to have a message from jacinda. she's a hero of mine. i think she's amazing. and she just said how proud she was of me, and that the the country was so proud. it's so heart—warming and something i will never forget. did you respond to the prime minister? yes, i responded and she messaged back immediately. a little bit of banter, which was again surreal. a couple of emojis. so, yeah, just a very, very surreal experience. what are the biggest challenges or issues that nurses are facing today? right now in the pandemic? it is so tough out there at the moment. we are being asked to look after more patients than we normally do. and it's tough. these patients are quite complex when they come in. covid's notjust affecting the lungs, it's affecting many systems in the body.

so they're complex, very, very unwell patients that are coming through. we're overwhelmed by patients. we're just doing our best to save as many lives as we can. jenny mcgee the intensive care nurse who has been speaking to tv new zealand. german chancellor angela merkel says her country must remain "clever and cautious" in handling the coronavirus crisis, amid the easing of some lockdown restrictions there. some of germany's schools have begun to re—open, including this secondary school near the city of dusseldorf, but only students sitting leaving exams are allowed to attend. the country has flattened the curve of new infections, but strict social distancing rules remain. angela merkel has warned that europe is still at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis. as muslims prepare to begin the holy month of ramadan, some doctors are expressing concern that the official advice

about social distancing isn't reaching many in the community. 0ur religion editor martin bashir has been speaking to one gp in greater manchester, to hear her views about fasting, faith and whether public health messages are cutting through. with afternoon surgery over, dr siema iqbal is on the school run. she and her husband are key workers, and at the start of ramadan she says she's concerned about whether the government's message on the coronavirus is getting through. i don't understand how it would get through to the muslim community. a lot of the messaging coming out from the government is in english. it's on radio stations and on tv channels that they may not necessarily be listening to or watching. even the letters that we send out advising patients to shield themselves, they are all in english. these are real specific challenges that this community in particular is facing.

46% of the muslim community lives in the 10% of the most deprived parts of the uk. that surely plays a part. we also have increasing rates of poverty, ill—health, and we have a lot of the community doing more of the precarious roles. they may be working as cleaners, bus drivers, front line workers. a promotional video prepares british muslims for ramadan during the pandemic. no prayers at the mosque. and without communal meals, iftars, like this one held in london last year, that break the daily fast. how significant is the gathering of muslims together at that time? we find that actually people's perception of muslims in this country has improved through simply coming together to have a meal. for us, seeing the many thousands of stories we've heard from people

who have come to events and have left feeling more optimistic, feeling a sense of belonging, it's incredibly difficult to accept the fact that we will not be able to reach out to those in the same way. but the challenges of ramadan this year may yet present an opportunity. i'm always apprehensive about fasting. will i be able to get through the day? how angry will i get when i'm hungry? you know, how much am i going to shout at the children? i think the pandemic has actually brought me closer to religion and made me more spiritual. i can't imagine how awful it must be to do iftar on your own. but i think it will bring us back to the true essence of fasting. martin bashir, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. good afternoon. changes in our weather over the next few days will tend to be very slow,

very subtle and certainly today has turned into yet another dry and largely sunny one. you can see from the earlier satellite picture some clumps of cloud, there's been some high cloud turning the sunshine hazy in places, and some quite low cloud lurking close to the northern isles, and i think as we go through this evening and into tonight we will develop some low cloud close to some of these north sea coasts, which will roll in across parts of yorkshire, lincolnshire, east anglia and maybe getting down into the midlands as well, could be some mist and fog around in these areas. temperatures typically overnight 3—9d, some parts of eastern scotland maybe getting just a bit colder than that. could be a touch of frost for some. so a fairly cool start for tomorrow, this lump of cloud and mist and fog affecting parts of eastern england, but that will tend to lift and clear and for most parts it is yet another fine, dry and mostly sunny day, patchy cloud turning that sunshine hazy at times. not quite as warm as it has been today, but still temperatures peaking between 14—22d, the coolest weather for some of those north sea coasts.

and later in the day, just the chance of seeing the odd shower breaking out across high ground of wales and the south—west of england. and as we go into the weekend, we do see the increasing chance ofjust one or two showers. still a lot of dry weather around, but we will start to feel a little cooler as well. look at this pressure chart. barely any white lines, barely any isobars on the weather map. that means there is not much winds, there's not much to push the weather around. that is why any changes, any shifts will only be slow and subtle. so i think on saturday, yes, a little more cloud around for some and maybe the odd shower for wales and the south—west later. still plenty of sunshine to be had, and then this type of cloud might bring some patchy rain into the far north—west of scotland later in the day. temperatures continue to fall back a little bit, but still well into the teens or early 20s for some and then as we move through saturday night into sunday, we see this very weak area of low pressure sinking into the picture and a frontal system as well. that will introduce a band of cloud, perhaps some showery rain pushing southwards across the uk, ahead of it one or two showers breaking out.

in northern scotland we could well see some showery rain working into the picture, but still a fair amount of dry weather. still into the 20s towards the south, but it will turn quite noticeably cooler across northern areas.

this is bbc news. the headlines... scotland's first minister sets out how the lockdown might be eased — but says now is not the right time. 0ur steps will need to be careful, gradual, incremental and probably quite small to start with. the first human trials in the uk for a coronavirus vaccine are expected to get underway in oxford today. i benefit too. it's not a selfless act. i am part of the community and if we find a vaccine then we all benefit. 20,000 households in england are being contacted from today, to take part in a study tracking coronavirus in the general population.

the economic impact of coronavirus — government borrowing could jump to its highest level in peacetime history. and one of the nurses thanked by boris johnson for watching over him in intensive care, says her team was just doing itsjob. he was just another patient we were trying to do our best for. it was business as usual. good afternoon. scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon has set out her strategy for exiting the lockdown. sturgeon has set out her strategy she warned that the social distancing measures to prevent

the spread of coronavirus may have to remain in place the rest of the year — and possibly beyond that. ms sturgeon told a news conference in edinburgh that a return to the normal life was not on the cards in the near future. in other news — researchers at oxford university are beginning the first human trials of a possible vaccine against covid—19. 20,000 households in england are being asked to take part in a study to track the virus in the general population. ministers will review advice given by scientific advisers on whether the use of face masks in public is effective in preventing the spread of coronavirus. and business output has fallen at its fastest rate on record, and new figures about government borrowing have underlined the scale of the damage done to the public finances. more on that later — but first here's nicola surgeon outlining her plan for easing scotland's lockdown.

it is only when we are sure that the virus is under control that we can even start to ease any of the restrictions. and it is my next point really that takes us to the hard part. when we do reach that stage, the virus will be under control only because of the severity of the restrictions we are all living with just now, but the virus will not have gone away. as we start to lift the restrictions, the real risk, and it is a very real risk, is that covid—19 runs rampant again. so a return to normal, as we knew it, is not on the cards in the near future and it is really important that i am upfront with you right now about that. what we will be seeking to do is find a new normal, a way of living alongside this virus but in a form that keeps it under control and stops it taking the toll we know it can do. social distancing and limiting our contact with others will be a fact

of life for a long time to come. certainly until treatments and ultimately a vaccine offer different solutions, so that means possibly for the rest of this year, and maybe even beyond. and that is why talk of lifting the lockdown, as if it is a flick of a switch moment, is misguided. 0ur steps, when we take them, will need to be careful, gradual, incremental and probably quite small to start with. we will need to assess them in advance and monitor them in action. sometimes, as i said before, we might even need to reverse things. we will talk more about that in a moment. just to bring you some figures before we go to glasgow, we are hearing the latest figures from the department of health which are now collated and uk wide. the latest

figures that we have, a total of 18,738 people have died in hospital after testing positive for covid—19. these are figures up to five o'clock on wednesday evening. they are the new figures from the department of health. 18,738, sadly, is the new figure and the davey rise is a figure and the davey rise is a figure of 638 —— daily. to remind you, these are hospitalfigures. we will talk more about that and the context of that later in the hour. let's talk a little more about what the scottish government have been saying. very interesting listening to nicola sturgeon. this is

alexandra mackenzie who i was talking to in the last hour and she explained more and gave more context about what nicola sturgeon has been saying. what she was saying is we need to adjust our lives and learn to live with this virus. she made it clear that we will not be going back to life as it was before coronavirus any time soon. but she was also acknowledging that we cannot live in this complete lockdown indefinitely. she said that certainly had negative consequences, not only for the economy, but also for people's mental health. she has said this was very much a framework and it's not the time to relax any of these restrictions. she talked there, as you heard, about social distancing. she said it is likely to be with us for some time to come, possibly until the end of the year or possibly even beyond that. some of the detail that she did give in terms of when things may start to relax and be lifted is that it

could be different parts of the economy at different times. it could be different parts of the country at different times. she gave no timeframe but talked a little bit of the impact on schools and different businesses about how things would be different. it would not be a case of possibly everyone going back at the same time. people would have to adjust to working differently and particularly to social distancing. she mentioned mass gatherings and said we are not likely to see them anytime soon. places like pubs and restaurants are not likely to open anytime soon either. let's speak to our chief political correspondent, vicki young, at westminster. very striking that the first minister is wanting at least to have a conversation about this even if she is not going into specifics? she talked about having a grown—up conversation. the leader of the

0pposition has talked about treating people like grown—ups. he thinks as well that the uk government should stop saying a little bit more, not least to start preparing people for what might be to come, even if there are no dates as to when some of the measures might be gradually lifted. ministers, uk ministers, are sticking to that message, talking about staying at home. they do not wa nt to about staying at home. they do not want to dilute that message at the moment. they are very concerned, as many are, about a second wave of infections and a second index. they wa nt to infections and a second index. they want to make sure that the nhs can cope before they make changes. of course, when robbie starts to talk about the measures they are thinking of behind—the—scenes? this work is going on and the government is coming under pressure not necessarily from nicola sturgeon but from some on its own site. some cabinet ministers want more. as well

as some conservative mps who are concerned about businesses, and the economic businesses that they say eventually can, in themselves, become an impact on people's health. the government is saying they are listening to the scientific advice, but it is going to be a tricky decision. it is not easy, it is incredibly complex. they want to try and understand how we live with this virus for many months, if not longer. i think the big question is, how much of it are we willing,, the government prepared to live with? that will not be a scientific judgment, that will be a political judgment, that will be a political judgment and it is one of four boris johnson. yesterday, we were told he is not involved in government business for obvious reasons. we will talk more in a moment about the borrowing figures and the economic impact of all of this that is already showing. it feeds into the government decision, doesn't it? eve but human health and the risk to

human life, but nicola sturgeon was talking about how it is a long time until pubs, restaurants, can reopen. that has an economic impact and that is what politicians will have to weigh up? all cabinet ministers will be worried about that. they are read about both of these things. they are worried about the virus and the huge number of people that it is killing. but they are also worried about the economic impact, whether there will be some businesses for people to come back to at the end of 0livet. about rising unemployment. it is interesting that chris whitty, the chief medical officer, he has talked about the impact of poverty, how that can actually have an impact on people's health in itself. there is real concern about other illnesses. about people being reluctant to go to theirgp, about people being reluctant to go to their gp, reluctant to go to the hospital because of coronavirus when they should be going because they have something else wrong with them.

at the moment, the number and the impact is hard to quantify. it could grow in time. it is all these factors that they will have to consider and which boris johnson will have to consider when he comes back to work after his recuperation. there is the question of how he will approach all of this and that is a bit ofan approach all of this and that is a bit of an unknown at the moment. he will have to weigh it up. he himself has been seriously ill. he will want to look at all of the aspects until the decision can be made. scientists at oxford university are expected to begin the first trial on humans of a possible vaccine for coronavirus. the team says if all goes well, they hope to have a million doses ready by september. yesterday, the government's chief medical adviser warned that it was unlikely a vaccine would be ready this year, and social distancing measures would have to remain until one was found. in other developments, 20,000 households in england are being asked to take part in a study to track covid—19 in the general population. jane dreaper reports.

the faces of lives lost in this medical emergency. more than 18,000 people in the uk who had coronavirus have now died. the virus is still a new one, but scientists at oxford university have worked quickly to get to the point where they hope to start testing a potential vaccine on 500 people. developing and producing any successful vaccine will take many months, though. we're not going to see a vaccine available and proven and tested and ready to go in the next few weeks. it is going to some way down the line before that. it is good news that it is happening, but we have got to continue to focus on what is working in terms of flattening the curve and dealing with this virus right now. half the volunteers will receive the potential coronavirus vaccine, while the other half will be given a jab that protects against meningitis. they will not be told which they are getting, but they are happy to be part of this crucial research. this virus is affecting

everyone in society. it's affecting my parents, i benefit as well. it's not a selfless act. i am part of the community and if we find a vaccine then we all benefit. it is a small, well—managed, well—regulated risk that i feel able to take. everyone is facing some worry and anxiety at the moment, be it the household finance, be it worried about their family or health or friends. some people are more at risk than others. god forbid, about bereavement and loss. i don't think the risk of the trial is significantly greater or more alarming than any of the reality is that all of us face. there has been heated debate about whether the public should wear facemasks. scientists advising government will tell ministers later what they think. they are not expected to recommend the widespread use of medical masks and doctors point out that other face coverings have drawbacks. we think that it potentially means that people are touching their mouth and their face more often.

we know that the masks may become contaminated with other people's coughs and sneezes. and also, when people take them on and off again. at a time when we are relying heavily on science, we have got to be honest and say that sometimes science does not give us perfect answers, and this is probably one of those times. 25,000 people will provide nose and throat swabs in the new government study to find out more about the spread of coronavirus. this will help researchers work on new tests and treatments. lockdown continues in the meantime, and we are being warned that any move away from the current restrictions will be very gradual. if people are hoping that it is suddenly going to move from where we are now in lockdown suddenly into everything is gone, that is a wholly unrealistic expectation. we are going to have to do a lot of things over really quite a long period of time. the question is, what is the best package? this is what we are trying to work out. the government says it needs to be confident that the rate of infection

has gone down to a manageable level before ordinary life can begin to resume. this could mean more widespread testing and also a system for tracking who people with the virus have come into contact with. government borrowing could jump to its highest level in peacetime history because of the coronavirus lockdown. 0ur economics correspondent andy verity has been looking at the figures, from the office for national statistics. he told me the numbers are eyewatering. the extremity of the coronavirus crisis is also reflected in extreme economic issues that are arising out of the antivirus measures. we already knew the government was going to have to borrow a lot more, but now we have learned exactly how much they planned to borrow over the next four months. in april alone, they borrowed £45 billion. that is in one month

somewhat more than we spend in one year on police and safety, or primary schools, for example. in may tojuly, the debt managing office says it will have to borrow £180 billion. over the course of four months, that is a total of £225 billion. that is if the shutdown only last as long as it is currently projected. if it goes on for six months, the resolution foundation, the thinktank has worked out, it could cost 500 billion, half £1 trillion, about a quarter of the value of the entire economy. it is another reminder of the extent of borrowing and the figures are as they are partly, i suppose, because, by defnition, tax revenues are down. that is exactly right. if tax revenues come down because there is not vat or income tax rolling in because people are not working or buying things in the shops,

the government's income comes right down. in order to meet its huge spending commitments, it has to borrow the difference. that is why we have the huge number. reflecting the economic drop, we're now finding out how serious it is. we have a lead indicator, what's called the purchasing managers index, which take the views of key decision—makers and companies who watch orders coming in, watch how much they will need in terms of buying supplies and how many people they are going to need to employ. it is really not good news there. in spite of things like thejob retention scheme and other measures the government has taken to soften the huge economic blow, it is still anticipating that there will be a record jump in unemployment. we are still seeing a record drop on the chart which shows output dropping now from... the even level for no growth is 50. any more, it's growing. a little less, it's a recession.

now it is just at 12. it reflects what is happening in the united states. in the last hour, we have seen that in the us it is far worse in terms of unemployment than here in the uk. 26.4 million people have filed for unemployment insurance in just five weeks. that takes the us unemployment total up to about 16%. it has gone from three or 4% to 16% in just five weeks. in the uk, we can be glad that although our unemployment will have a record jump too, it will notjump quite as fast because the government is borrowing money to help employers out. the headlines on bbc news... the department of health says the uk coronavirus death toll in hospitals has risen by 616 in the past day. the total number of uk deaths with the virus now stands at more than 18,700.

scotland's first minister sets out how the lockdown might be eased — but says now is not the right time. the first human trials in the uk for a coronavirus vaccine are expected to get underway in oxford today. eu leaders are meeting this afternoon to discuss the bloc‘s reponse to the pandemic, and there's expected to be huge division over the huge aid package being set up to help economies recover. there's been criticism of the eu's handling of the crisis — particularly from italy, the worst affected country. 0ur rome correspondent mark lowen reports. italy has lived through hell. the first in europe to fall to the virus, the first to call for help. but in its hour of greatest need, italy says it was abandoned by an eu that hoarded safety equipment, closed borders, failed to come together as one. germany did eventually

airlift italian patients and sent in supplies, but others, like russia, were louder, dispatching aid and medics here — seizing the chance to fill the vacuum. it even prompted a mea culpa from the head of the european commission. too many were not there on time when italy needed a helping hand at the very beginning, and yes, for that, it is right that europe as a whole offers a heartfelt apology. in 1957 the treaty of rome was signed right here inside this building establishing the european economic community — the forerunner of the european union — by its six founding members, one of which was italy. this country has always been proud at being at the heart of the european idea, and now many here feel let down by the project it helped to form. the crisis in relations has played into the hands of the extreme right. some of its members making a public display of hostility, feeding anti—european sentiment,

now at its highest ever here. but italy's hard right leader says europe made italians fall out of love with it. translation: what provokes anti—european feeling is the eu's inadequacy to respond, or the idea the eu gives of italy as a beggar needing to be helped, wasting its money. the european union exists thanks to italy but it is a system that favours other countries, not italy. do you think italy should still remain a member of the eu? i think so. in the bookshops reopened this week, italy's historical ties with europe are on show, but as are its current battles too, with a disease that has shaken the roots of european cooperation. i was pro—european and i have changed my mind. i don't believe any more in the union because i don't think there is solidarity. we felt betrayed.

i feel european so i hope everything will change. we need europe and europe needs us, and i believe that italy will break if it will go out of europe. this country has fought many battles in its long history, but now one with its allies to help it emerge, recover, rise up again. mark lowen, bbc news, rome. one of the nurses who was thanked by the prime minister for looking after him in intensive care has said borisjohnson was just another patient the team was trying to do their best for. jenny mcgee, who's from invercargill in new zealand, has been speaking about the huge number of messages she's received since being namechecked by mrjohnson, including some from her own prime minister, jacinda ardern. jenny mcgee has been talking to tv new zealand. there was a lot of media interest about him being in hospital. to be honest, that probably

was the toughest thing of the lot. as a unit, he was just another patient we were trying to do our best for, so it was business as usual. so you weren't even a little bit nervous? no, i honestly don't think i was. when i got in the car after work each night, and i could hear things about borisjohnson on the news, that was very surreal because i thought, "wow, i've just been looking after him." but i really wasn't fazed by looking after borisjohnson. and what about in terms of icu, do you think they lowered the bar just because of who he is? no, everyone — we take it very seriously when people come into intensive care. these patients who come in to us, it's a very scary thing for them. so we don't take it lightly. and he absolutely needed to be there. talk to us about how he found out you werejenny from new zealand? we just chatted away and it naturally came up.

yeah, he was interested in where i came from, what my story was. we spent a lot of time together. yeah, we talked away about new zealand. you have been lauded notjust by britain's prime minister, but also new zealand prime minister, jacinda ardern. what went through your mind? so, on the night it all happened i actually had to turn my phone off because it was just so overwhelming. and when i turned my phone back on in the morning, people were like, "jenny, you need to look at your facebook." i was being called a snob for not responding to jacinda ardern! but it's very surreal to have a message from jacinda. she's a hero of mine. i think she's amazing. and she just said how proud she was of me, and that the country was so proud. it's so heart—warming and something i will never forget. did you respond to the prime minister? yes, i responded and she messaged back immediately. a little bit of banter,

which was again surreal. a couple of emojis. so, yeah, just a very, very surreal experience. what are the biggest challenges or issues that nurses are facing today? right now in the pandemic? it is so tough out there at the moment. we are being asked to look after more patients than we normally do. and it's tough. these patients are quite complex when they come in. covid's notjust affecting the lungs, it's affecting many systems in the body. so they're complex, very, very unwell patients that are coming through. we're overwhelmed by patients. we're just doing our best to save as many lives as we can. let's ta ke let's take a few minutes to talk

about contact tracing. the nhs is testing its forthcoming covid—19 contact—tracing app at a royal air force base in north yorkshire. it works by using bluetooth signals to log when smartphone owners are close to each other, so if someone develops covid—19 symptoms, an alert can be sent to other users they may have infected. the app tells users either: "you're ok now," or: "you need to isolate yourself and stay at home." watch either the risks of this sort ofapp? i'm joined by mike beck, global head of threat analysis at cybersecurity firm darktrace. do you have concerns about this sort ofapp? do you have concerns about this sort of app? i think that absolutely everybody wants to help fight the virus. i think technology can play a fantastic part in it. i think the concerns around this are that our phones are our lives. it contains

everything about me. it contains an awful lot of information. i think the concerns are perhaps twofold here. first, it is about privacy, what exactly is being taken and used off of my phone. i think we have to be very clear about that with the public and about what data is being used. secondly, it is security. it is about the fact that i'm going to install this on my mobile phone, so it is about the security of the application and also about the security of the data that is being collected. in this type of application that the nhs are looking at, they are collecting the data into a central pot, or that is what it seems to be given the wording they have using. it is a security u nto they have using. it is a security unto layers, how they protect the application and how they secure that data. it is all being tested at the moment. presumably, that is the

whole point of this. a need—to—know that it works for the medical reasons that they wanted to, but they need to that it is secure. what would hackers be looking for if they wa nted would hackers be looking for if they wanted to get into this amount of data? the first thing i would absolutely say is that hackers are going to be drawn to this type of application and this type of data. this is going to be incredibly powerful if they could break in or if they could get access to some of the data that it is collecting. the first thing that needs to happen is a really good scrub and making the source code available of what the app is so that security researchers who are independent can evaluate how the code works and how it interacts with our phones to make sure there are not any loopholes that the attackers can attach themselves to.

in terms of the data that is being collected, it is very much about how the security works. working for a phone that uses ai across very big datasets, and it is hard. there is something about them being able to demonstrate that they are protecting that data, because there is a lot of it being collected. they are going to have to reassure people, because u nless to have to reassure people, because unless a certain percentage of people are prepared to download the app in the first place, it is not going to work and will not provide the medical and health information that they are looking for? absolutely. they have got to win all of us over. that is the key point here. they are being transparent, being open with us as a population. we would all agree that we all want to help and give the information thatis to help and give the information that is going to make their researchers get what they

need—to—know about how the virus is travelling. i want to contribute but i want to be sure about my privacy and my data security. would you use it? i think if i hear and my data security. would you use it? i think ifi hear more and my data security. would you use it? i think if i hear more about it. as it stands today, it is very kind of high level wording and there is not enough being opened up about what is being collected and how the data is being used for me at the moment. but i am absolutely on—board. i think if we are going to move to a place where this is going to help us fight the virus, then, yes, iam to help us fight the virus, then, yes, i am on board. but i want to see more. very interesting to talk to you. that is mike from the cybersecurity firm talking about those developments. temperatures peaking at around the middle 20 celsius as we go through this evening and tonight.

we will stay dry with clear spells. more in the way of mist and fog developing across eastern england, perhaps getting into parts of the midlands by the end of the night. temperatures between three and 9 degrees. could get colder in the east of scotland, where a touch of frost is possible. a fairly cold start tomorrow. an area of cloud, mist and fog, and when that lifts we will look at dry weather once again. an increasing chance of seeing a shower breaking out over high ground in wales and the south—west of england later in the day. temperatures down just a touch but still getting up to between 14 and 22 degrees. a subtle change in the weekend. it turns cooler, the chance of a shower but still a lot of dry weather. hello, this is bbc news with jane hill. the headlines...

the department of health says the uk coronavirus death toll in hospitals has risen by 616 in the past day. the total number of uk deaths with the virus now stands at more than 18,700. scotland's first minister sets out how the lockdown might be eased — but nicola sturgeon says now is not the right time to lift restrictions. the first human trials in the uk for a coronavirus vaccine are expected to get under way in oxford today. 20,000 households in england are being contacted from today, to take part in a study tracking coronavirus in the general population. the economic impact of coronavirus — government borrowing could jump to its highest level in peacetime history. and, one of the nurses thanked by boris johnson for watching over him in intensive care, says the prime minister was just another patient

they were trying their best for. sport now, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's olly foster. phil neville will stand down as head coach of the england lionesses when his contract expires next summer. he had been expected to take charge of the british team at the olympics this summer and then lead england into the euros on home soil next year, but both events have been postponed by a year because of the pandemic. former england goalkeeper rachel brown—finnis thinks he should leave the role now. i knew his contract was up, so i would have thought it was inevitable, but given his current form i am surprised that he has not decided to step down sooner than next summer. given the shift in tournament schedules, stepping down now i think would be the right thing to do. uefa's executive committee has urged

all its members to try and finish their domestic leagues rather than declare them null and void, orfind a solution for teams to qualify for next season's champions league and europa league on sporting merit. non—league football, in england and wales is officially over. barrow are top and on course for automatic promotion to league two. those chasing them, including third placed notts county, want a chance to go up and there now will be a vote on how to decide the season's outcome. i think all options are probably on the table at the moment and they will be hopefully put to the clubs. what i hope is that everyone looks at the integrity of the game and finishing the season rather than taking the easy option ofjust saying we have got nothing to play

for so lets make the same for other clu bs. the world snooker champion judd trump thinks that the sport is in good hands and will be able to survive the lockdown. he's had the best season of his career with a record breaking six ranking titles and should be defending his world title right now after last yea r‘s victory at the crucible. the championship has been postponed until the end ofjuly. iam able i am able to practice and i have been for the last four or five weeks, but there will be players who still play in snooker clubs that have been shot down and may still be shut down when the world championship comes around, so logistically it is still going to be difficult for some of the players to get back up and running. people may have to make changes. even for me it will be a little bit difficult, especially in the summer, it will be difficult to motivate myself to want to practice midsummer, everyone is up to practice midsummer, everyone is up sunbathing and we have to

practice every day which is something we are not really used to. we normally get the summer off. judd trump the world snooker champion looking forward to the world championships in july. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. psychiatrists are warning that there could be covid—19 outbreaks in mental health units, unless access to testing kits and ppe improves dramatically. the warning from the royal college of psychiatrists comes as its national survey found that more than one in five psychiatrists is still working without the correct protective equipment. we can talk now to dr trudi senerviratne, from the royal college of psychiatrists, who works at mental health units in london. good afternoon to you. thank you for your time. here again we are hearing about health professionals not having access to proper ppe. what are you hearing from colleagues?

absolutely, we conducted this survey only last week, because we really wa nted only last week, because we really wanted to have a sense of what was going on on the ground. some of the findings were quite concerning, so we are talking about one in four of our members saying they didn't have access to the correct equipment. half of our members were saying they didn't have access to testing. that's really worrying, because it has an impact based on obesity mental health staff and their health —— obviously. they are working incredibly hard like everybody in the nhs so that is something we would really like to change quite quickly. have you gone through official channels? what are you being told about why not everyone has the protection that they need? it is not everywhere commit some places do have it, but it's just not consistent step we are going through

all the channels that we need to go through. all professionals in mental health units and inpatient service and community service need this equipment is not for themselves as professionals, but actually we are looking after patients as well, so it is both we are looking after, yes, we are absolutely going through all the relevant channels. and people who have mental health difficulties, the sort of people you and your colleagues look after, statistically they are vulnerable as well, aren't they, in terms of covid—19 i mean? well, aren't they, in terms of covid-19 i mean? yes. they are vulnerable. i think before that key issue i really want to get across, patients with mental illness should be treated in exactly the way eve ryo ne be treated in exactly the way everyone else's in this awful pandemic, but yes, people with mental health problems can have what we call co—morbid ethical health

conditions, so things like diabetes or heart conditions or high blood pressure, more at risk of doing things like smoking were older adults‘ mental health operation is particularly at risk, and when staff are working so hard to make sure that people stay well with both a mental illness and they are also treating the coded in these psychiatric units, we really do need that protection and testing —— covid. and look down is a particular challenge for lots of people, but it gives an added layer of application. absolutely. through lots of mechanisms, the isolation is very challenging, people may be relapsing and not able to access support in the right way. all our teams, the inpatient services are working, community services are working really ha rd, community services are working really hard, people are moving to virtual assessments as much as possible and telephone contacts as much as possible, so the system is

working, but actually people with mental health problems are particularly vulnerable, so we are looking at people who have existing problems but also those who might be developing illnesses for the first time. good a you to give us your time. good a you to give us your time at this afternoon. that is doctor trudy senerviratne from the royal college of psychiatrists. for the first time an raf helicopter has been used to airlift a coronavirus patient to hospital. a critically ill patient was taken from the isle of arran in scotland to an intensive care unit on the mainland. cameron buttle reports. callsign rider 2 preparing for take—off. one of the three puma helicopters now stationed in scotland on the front line of fight against coronavirus. they have been training all over the country for weeks, now fully operational. this is a familiarisation flight. the crews are getting used

to their new, massive area of operations. it is called aviation task force north. it covers the whole of mainland scotland, the western isles, the northern isles, even the platforms in the north sea. this was the squadron‘s first call—out, a suspected covid patient, picked up on the isle of arran in the early hours and flown direct to an intensive care unit. we got a call about one o‘clock in the morning informing us there was a critically ill patient on the isle of arran. within an hour and a half, we were able to get airborne, the whole team pulled together really well and we were able to transfer the patient to kilmarnock hospital three hours after we got the call. so, it was a really good effort all round. for crews still being regularly deployed to afghanistan, it took some time to adjust to the new rule. we are used to working with a different type of passenger in the back, really. something that comes with helmets and weapons as opposed to something that comes with surgical gowns and medical equipment. so, that has been the principal problem to solve, how we integrate their equipment

with our own and they can fly safely with us whilst looking after the patients. there is a specially—trained ground crew decontaminating every part of that aircraft. it is a meticulous process and it can take up to two hours. but it is vital and it has to be done before the aircraft can fly again. each time they fly, it‘s the same routine. but another puma is always on standby, waiting for the call. cameron buttle, bbc news, kinloss. the time edging up to 18 minutes before four. let‘s talk about someone who has become very special in this country in the last few weeks. captain tom moore. captain tom moore could mark another achievement this week — if his single gets to number one. the war veteran, who is 99 years old, has already captured the world‘s attention by walking 100 laps of his garden to raise money for the nhs. that alone has raised more than £28 million.

now he‘s teamed up with michael ball and the nhs voices of care choir you will all be familiar with him. the numbers keep going up and up. now he‘s teamed up with michael ball and the nhs voices of care choir to record a version of you‘ll never walk alone — all in aid of nhs charities together. let‘s take a listen. # and you‘ll never walk alone. # you‘ll never walk alone. i‘m delighted to say i‘m joined by michael ball. it's it‘s lovely to talk to you, but thanks for choosing a song that makes assault cry. the song -- us

all cry. it chose itself. i sang it spontaneously on bbc breakfast, they askedif spontaneously on bbc breakfast, they asked if i would sing a few lines of something when he finished his 100 laps, and he was singing along with it and is a joke i said we should record this is a duet and then i thought yes, we should record this isa thought yes, we should record this is a duet. it would be phenomenal. soi is a duet. it would be phenomenal. so i got the record company involved and producers and so on, got tom to sing it into his phone, got crucially the nhs voices of care require tojoin together crucially the nhs voices of care require to join together when they come off shift record they‘re part of the song remotely and we were able to get it ready within 24 hours asa able to get it ready within 24 hours as a way to the real achievement. fantastic. what we want is for it to be number one to raise even more money of course. it is a race at the moment and it is looking like we might have number two, but we could still have number one if people went and downloaded it. 99p but you have to go online and download it and we

can give captain tom number one on his 100th birthday, which would be amazing. wouldn't that be fantastic? you have only been able to meet him virtually, so let‘s hope we can all perhaps think to a time when we are not in this terrible lockdown and you can meet him properly.” not in this terrible lockdown and you can meet him properly. i can't wait. he has an inspirational man and he is the loveliest man. he is sharp, he is funny. he represents all that is good and decent about certainly that generation, extraordinary sacrifice, so much during the warand extraordinary sacrifice, so much during the war and have led us all the way through. doesn't he just? let me ask you a quick question on a professional matter, because i didn‘t know i would be talking to you today but people watching right now, the theatre world is in lockdown, it is a really tough time for the arts. you have been such a big part of that all you were meant to be back on the west end stage and meant to be in her sprite. tonight was meant to be our very first

performance of hairspray. we have postponed it at the moment, we had an opening date of the 1st of september. a lot of daters are doing the same thing. whether that will happen, we don‘t know. but people love theatre and people will be going back to it when we can. but it is tough for people in the arts who can‘t make a living, can‘t do anything, it is the same for a lot of people, i understand that, but god willing the west end and theatres around the country and around the world will be back and audiences will want to come back and join us. absolutely. we all hope so. thank you so much as i had my tickets, 33rd of september, we live in the spirit of optimism. —— 31st of september. download the song, we wa nt to of september. download the song, we want to get to number one. everyone will. thank you for talking to us. you can hear michael ball every

sunday on radio two. that single raising even more money for charity and downloadable for 99 p. the headlines on bbc news... scotland‘s first minister sets out how the lockdown might be eased — but says now is not the right time the department of health says the uk coronavirus death toll in hospitals has risen by 616 in the past day. the total number of uk deaths with the virus now stands at more than18,700. the first human trials in the uk for a coronavirus vaccine are expected to get under way in oxford today. as muslims prepare to begin the holy month of ramadan, some doctors are expressing concern that the official advice about social distancing isn‘t reaching many in the community. our religion editor martin bashir has been speaking to one gp in greater manchester,

to hear her views about fasting, faith and whether public health messages are cutting through. with afternoon surgery over, dr siema iqbal is on the school run. she and her husband are key workers, and at the start of ramadan she says she‘s concerned about whether the government‘s message on the coronavirus is getting through. i don‘t understand how it would get through to the muslim community. a lot of the messaging coming out from the government is in english. it‘s on radio stations and on tv channels that they may not necessarily be listening to or watching. even the letters that we send out advising patients to shield themselves for 12 weeks, they are all in english. these are real specific challenges that this community in particular is facing. 46% of the muslim community lives in the 10% of the most deprived parts of the uk. that surely plays a part. we also have increasing rates

of poverty, ill—health, and we have a lot of the community doing more of the precarious roles. they may be working as cleaners, bus drivers, front line workers. a promotional video prepares british muslims for ramadan during the pandemic. no prayers at the mosque. and without communal meals, iftars, like this one held in london last year, that break the daily fast. how significant is the gathering of muslims together at that time? we find that actually people‘s perception of muslims in this country has improved through simply coming together to have a meal. for us, seeing the many thousands of stories we‘ve heard from people who have come to events and have left feeling more optimistic, feeling a sense of belonging, it‘s incredibly difficult to accept the fact that we will not

be able to reach out to those in the same way. but the challenges of ramadan this year may yet present an opportunity. i‘m always apprehensive about fasting. will i be able to get through the day? how angry will i get when i‘m hungry? you know, how much am i going to shout at the children? i think the pandemic has actually brought me closer to religion and made me more spiritual. i can‘t imagine how awful it must be to do iftar on your own. but i think it will bring us back to the true essence of fasting. martin bashir, bbc news. many are getting their information about coronavirus on social media. but not everything that is being shared online can be trusted. here‘s our reality check correspondent chris morris with the latest health claims that you should ignore. countries around the world are in lockdown, but dodgy claims about coronavirus are still

spreading fast across the internet. so here are a few more that are worth checking. claim number one: 5g mobile networks transmit coronavirus. well, 5g was a favourite target of conspiracy theorists long before the new coronavirus appeared. now the myths have just been tweaked a bit. some claim 5g can suppress the immune system. others, that the mobile technology somehow transmits the virus. for the avoidance of doubt, scientists have told the bbc that both claims are absolute rubbish. 5g radio waves are nowhere near strong enough to affect immunity. the idea that technology can transmit the virus is biologically impossible. claim number two: steam inhalation can cu re coronavirus. a social media post about a doctor who allegedly recovered from covid—19 after inhaling steam has been widely shared. now, people do inhale steam to deal

with things like a blocked nose. but there is no evidence that it works as a treatment for coronavirus. high—temperature steam cleaning of surfaces is used to kill viruses in places like hospitals, but any attempt to inhale industrial steam that hot would be incredibly dangerous. claim number three: skin colour can protect you from covid—19. there have been persistent suggestions on social media about skin colour and the resistance it might give you to falling ill with covid—19. there have been rumours in africa that people with black skin can‘t catch coronavirus. but itjust isn‘t true. medical professionals are adamant that skin colour makes no difference. black people have been catching the virus and dying from it. claim number four: vaccines to combat covid—19 are already available. no, they aren‘t. loads of scientists

are working on a vaccine, but it will take a long time to develop, test and distribute them. at the moment, there is no vaccine to prevent covid—19 and the world health organization says products claiming to be a vaccine, often found on unregulated websites, should be considered fake, and they may pose a significant risk to public health. so beware claims that offer quick fixes or remedies for coronavirus. many of them are probably too good to be true. and think twice before you share them. ben rich will be here with an update on the weather shortly, but first children in need and comic relief are coming together tonight to raise money for people most affected by the coronavirus outbreak. the big night in features celebrities including lenny henry, peter kay and dawn french, and it‘s all on bbc one this evening. here‘s our entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba. each year, children in need and comic relief...

£63 million! ..raise huge amounts for good causes. tonight‘s event will be put together a little differently, with many well—known names performing sketches from their homes. # the lord is my shepherd # i shall not want!# last night, i had the 1st meeting of the dibley parish council, conducted via an app called zoom! and i have to tell you, it was the best parish council meeting i have ever had! largely because none of the other councillors know how to get onto zoom. for one night only, children in need and comic relief get together to celebrate our nation‘s kindness and resolve with an evening of star—studded entertainment to lift our spirits! it has all come together in just a few weeks, in less than straightforward circumstances. we are calling it the big night in. children in need and red nose day usually take months of meetings and planning.

it's only been challenging that we have had to do it quickly. what has made it so extraordinary is the absolute passion of people to help. i think it is harder because it is less time, but easier because everyone is so aware of how much difference the money is going to make. the money raised will go to organisations like fareshare, which sources surplus food and redistributes it to community groups, so that vulnerable people can receive good quality meals. ijust thought i would show you some of the donations that we have received today. we have got all these pallets here that have come from suppliers‘ donations. these were all public donations. and it‘s notjust celebrities getting involved. peter kay will be recreating his famous amarillo video, using clips sent in by key workers from around the uk. lizo mzimba, bbc news. good afternoon. changes in our weather over the next

few days will tend to be very slow, very subtle and certainly today has turned into yet another dry and largely sunny one. you can see from the earlier satellite picture some clumps of cloud, there‘s been some high cloud turning the sunshine hazy in places, and some quite low cloud lurking close to the northern isles, and i think as we go through this evening and into tonight we will develop some low cloud close to some of these north sea coasts, which will roll in across parts of yorkshire, lincolnshire, east anglia and maybe getting down into the midlands as well, could be some mist and fog around in these areas. temperatures typically overnight 3—9d, some parts of eastern scotland maybe getting just a bit colder than that. could be a touch of frost for some. so a fairly cool start for tomorrow, this lump of cloud and mist and fog affecting parts of eastern england, but that will tend to lift and clear and for most parts it is yet another fine, dry and mostly sunny day, patchy cloud turning that sunshine hazy at times. not quite as warm as it has been today, but still temperatures

peaking between 14—22d, the coolest weather for some of those north sea coasts. and later in the day, just the chance of seeing the odd shower breaking out across high ground of wales and the south—west of england. and as we go into the weekend, we do see the increasing chance ofjust one or two showers. still a lot of dry weather around, but we will start to feel a little cooler as well. look at this pressure chart. barely any white lines, barely any isobars on the weather map. that means there is not much winds, there‘s not much to push the weather around. that is why any changes, any shifts will only be slow and subtle. so i think on saturday, yes, a little more cloud around for some and maybe the odd shower for wales and the south—west later. still plenty of sunshine to be had, and then this type of cloud might bring some patchy rain into the far north—west of scotland later in the day. temperatures continue to fall back a little bit, but still well into the teens or early 20s for some and then as we move through saturday night into sunday, we see this very weak area of low pressure sinking into the picture and a frontal system as well. that will introduce a band of cloud,

perhaps some showery rain pushing southwards across the uk, ahead of it one or two showers breaking out. in northern scotland we could well see some showery rain working into the picture, but still a fair amount of dry weather. still into the 20s towards the south, but it will turn 01:58:13,774 --> 2147483052:35:51,603 quite noticeably cooler 2147483052:35:51,603 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 across northern areas.