good morning. welcome to breakfast with dan walker and louise minchin. our headlines today: millions more people will be able to get tested for coronavirus from today, including all staff and residents of care homes. the debate over whether to wear masks in public — scotland becomes the latest country to recommend covering yourface in shops and public transport. the united states reaches a grim milestone as the number of cases of coronavirus passesi million. airline jobs under threat — british airways says it will cut up to 12,000 jobs, more than a quarter of all employees, warning that the industry won't return to normal for several years.

and in sport, a leading health advisor warns football is getting it wrong by trying to restart the premier league amid the global pandemic. and in whether there will be some more wet weather around in fact through today but a little bit of sunshine, too. i'll have yourfull forecast right here on breakfast. it's wednesday, april 29. our top story: millions more of us will be able to book a test for coronavirus from today. all over—65s and anyone who needs to leave home to go to work will be eligible if they have symptoms of covid—19. other members of their household who fall ill can also apply online. care home residents and staff in england are also being offered tests whether or not they have signs of the virus. dan johnson reports. saint cecilia's nursing home in scarborough, locked down early. but

gci’oss scarborough, locked down early. but across the three homes in the group, they still saw 11 deaths, four definitely linked to coronavirus. each number means a parent, a husband, a wife, gone. like liz camp, who loved her grandchildren. the family says staff did all the goodin the family says staff did all the good in herfinal days but they have been unable to stop the virus reaching her. she is one of more than 4000 who have died since easter, but haven't so far been recorded in the official daily figures. they showed there were another 586 deaths from covid—19, bringing the total across the uk to 201000, 678 -- 21,678, from bringing the total across the uk to 201000, 678 —— 21,678, from today all deaths will be included in the figure. as late as mid—march, public health england was advising people receiving care were unlikely to be affected and things should carry on as normal, even if staff showed symptoms. the government has been accused of not doing enough to protect the most vulnerable people.

it's been a focus from the start, we have strengthened the rules around what happens in care homes and tried to improve infection control. and also making testing available throughout the care centre, i think is incredibly important, as we have ramped up the availability of testing. 50 now ramped up the availability of testing. so now across england all ca re testing. so now across england all care home residents and staff will be eligible for a test regardless of symptoms. these mobile sides manned by the army should help, but availability is still a major frustration and now over 65 and theirfamilies, along frustration and now over 65 and their families, along with anyone frustration and now over 65 and theirfamilies, along with anyone in a household with someone going out to work will be able to apply online for a test if they are showing symptoms. repeated promises have also been made to deliver enough of the equipment staff need to keep themselves they've stopped away from ca re themselves they've stopped away from care homes, there are more questions about wearing masks or face coverings. scotland was my first

minister said there could be some benefit and recommended them for enclosed spaces like public transport and shops. that is a move away from the uk government's position. we are also concerned that some people are infected who don't have symptoms or don't have symptoms yet. and that is the reason why sage has put so much effort into looking at this question. but the answer is clear that the evidence is small. reminder that a face covering doesn't replace the lockdown rules whatever the advice, from medics. they are all becoming more common as we live with the reality of the virus. dan johnson, bbc we live with the reality of the virus. danjohnson, bbc news. we're joined now from westminster, by our political correspondent jonathan blake. and we know there was the target of 100,000 tests a day. the deadline was set for tomorrow. how likely is the government is omitted and what if they don't? the health

secretary, matt hancock said yesterday the reason he set that 100,000 target was to increase the number of tests being done. that has happened over time. the latest figures, 42,000 tests are being done in the uk and the capacity for test is around 70,000. so there is a big difference there are suggesting that evenif difference there are suggesting that even if the government gets to a point where it can test 100,000 people per day, by the end of tomorrow, the numbers taking the test, taking up that opportunity, won't necessarily be there. but we will have to see, we won't ashley nurse the government needs this target because of a delay in reporting the test being done until saturday. if it misses the target of course it will be embarrassing for the government was that if they get near it or meet it then i think we can expect them either way to point to the increase in testing being done through mobile units, drive—through, and at home kits. but in any case, the important thing in the bigger picture is where this

testing fits into the government's strategy to get a handle on how many people have had the virus and the role that plays in enabling them to lift or perhaps ease restrictions in the future. jonathan, thank you. the number of coronavirus cases in the united states has now passed 1 million — amounting to nearly a third of the world's total. that includes more than 57,000 deaths, which is now more than the number of americans who were killed in the vietnam war. 0ur north american corresponded peter bowes reports. two grim milestones highlighting the devastating impact of covid—19 on the united states. more than1 million cases and over 58,000 people killed by the virus, which surpasses the number of americans who died over nearly two decades in vietnam. and the outbreak is far from over. 0ne and the outbreak is far from over. one of the white house's senior medical advisers has warned that covid—19 could re—emerge later in the year. it's not going to disappear. from the planet. which

means as we get into next season, in my mind it is inevitable that we will have a return of the virus or may be it will never go away. at a meeting with small business owners, echoing comments made in february, present trumps that he was optimistic the number of cases would ultimately go down to zero. you never know about a vaccine. tremendous progress has been made. johnson &johnson tremendous progress has been made. johnson & johnson and tremendous progress has been made. johnson &johnson and oxford and lots of good things that you had been hearing the same things as i do. tremendous progress has been made. we always say thing, and you have to tested, that takes a period of time. in the meantime, much of the country still at a standstill stay—at—home orders and forced until at least the middle of may. 26 million americans have lost their jobs during the pandemic. the us commerce department is expecting to report later that most domestic product suffered a steep drop in the first quarter of the year, with the

economy shrinking by up to 4%. it will be the biggest decline in economic activity since the great recession over a decade ago. and there is much worse to come over the coming months, since the virus didn't begin to impact the us economy until late march. but president trump remains optimistic. it's going to come back very fast. now that our experts believe the worst days of the pandemic are behind us, americans are looking forward to the safe and rapid reopening of our country. on a trip toa reopening of our country. on a trip to a medical centre in minnesota, mike pence net health workers —— thank health workers and researchers for their efforts, but his visit was overshadowed by his decision to ignore the hospital's rules that all visitors should wear face mask the vice president said he wasn't concerned about spending the virus because he had tested negative several times for covid—19. peter bowes, bbc news, los angeles.

well, the russian president, vladimir putin, has extended restrictions in the country for two more weeks, saying the peak of the outbreak has not yet been reached. the president has admitted that there is a shortage of protective kit for medics. we're joined now by moscow correspondent sarah rainsford. we should say there is quite a long delay on the line. sarah, how badly affected has russia been? well, the numbers here are still rising and certainly president putin said yesterday the worst is yet to come for russia, he said scientists are telling him the peak year in terms of the infection rate has not yet been reached. so while russians are starting to get restless under lockdown, certainly indicators are suggesting there are more people on the streets across the country now. the message from president putin very clearly yesterday evening was that russians must remain patient, they must remain in their houses as far as possible because the situation here is still serious. the

numbers around 93,000 people with coronavirus at the current moment, some 867 people have died so far, according to official numbers. as you mentioned, two admitted yesterday what many doctors have been complaining about for some time —— president putin admitted yesterday, here in russia as in many countries, there is a problem in getting protective equipment to medics. president putin said although production of medical equipment had been quickly ramped up, scout up, there was a lot more being produced, 100,000 protective suits bought medics, being produced everything with he said that wasn't enough. there is a suggestion now small businesses will be drawn into the operations to try and meet the deficits. so a problem to as hospitals are coming under strain with a number of people who have the virus in russia. sarah rainsford, thank you with the latest from russia, live on breakfast this

morning. labour are demanding the findings of an inquiry into home secretary priti patel‘s conduct be made public "as soon as possible". in march, borisjohnson asked the cabinet office to investigate following allegations the minister had bullied staff at three government departments. ms patel, who was interviewed as part of the process, has strenuously denied the claims. from this weekend, letters will no longer be delivered on saturdays. royal mail says it follows a plea from staff to try and ease the burden on their workloads during the coronavirus crisis. they say letter deliveries from monday to friday will continue as normal, and parcels would continue to be delivered on saturdays. revised plans to mark the 75th anniversary of ve day have been announced. the coronavirus outbreak means the usual street parties and parades cannot go ahead. the queen will instead make a special address to the nation and people will be encouraged to join a doorstep singalong to dame vera lynn's wartime anthem we'll meet again.

now, captain tom moore's 100th birthday is to be marked with an raf flypast. the war veteran who's raised more than £29 million now for nhs charities by walking laps of his garden, celebrates the milestone tomorrow. the flypast is organised by the raf battle of britain memorial flight, and will include six spitfires. wowzers. and you will see that on bbc brea kfast and you will see that on bbc breakfast tomorrow. if you little things lined up, i believe, but i can't tell you yet. —— a few. it's 6:12am. a student nurse who spent weeks in a coma after contracting coronavirus said there were tears of joy when she finally went home and saw her children. natasha jenkins, who is 35 and has three children, spent 22 days on a ventilator after falling sick just before mother's day. nick palit has been speaking to her.

let them know where you are? reunited with her children, natasha jenkins' back home in barry after a battle with covid—19 that saw her in a coma for 22 days. i was the youngest person in the hospital to have it. and i think people, i think a lot of people were only thinking older people were getting it. i don't know how i caught it stop i'm 35 years old and it's like i'm currently disabled at the moment. even though she has been discharged from hospital, it is going to be a long road to recovery, possibly up toa long road to recovery, possibly up to a year. she is very weak and relatives have had to move into helper in the house. but natasha is thankful to be alive. helper in the house. but natasha is thankfulto be alive. my helper in the house. but natasha is thankful to be alive. my kids were my main priority. i was terrified. i thought i was going to die and i knew i just needed thought i was going to die and i knew ijust needed to get home and see my children. heartbreaking,

scary, especially during the fever. she had recently completed a placement at the university hospital of wales, only to return as a patient. the current treatment she has had has made her all the more determined to return to nursing herself. a lot of people are scared with the way things they are at the moment. but with them caring for me, i want to give something back. 0h, oh, you really get a sense from her of the ongoing impact stop that was nick palit reporting from barry in south wales. let's take a look at today's papers: the express says around 25 million people in the uk could now be eligible to be swabbed for coronavirus under the government's expanded testing scheme. that was announced yesterday.

the picture is of borisjohnson observing a minutes' silence yesterday to remember the key workers who've died during the pandemic. the mirror says the over—65s and people who must leave home to work are now eligible for tests. the paper also reports that a third of all coronavirus deaths in england and wales are now happening in care homes. the guardian says treatment delays and a reluctance of patients to visit hospitals could lead to 18,000 more cancer deaths in england. and online, the independent looks at how lockdown restrictions are being lifted across the world, including in spain where the prime minister has unveiled plans to reopen some bars and restaurants within weeks. what is going on with the phone this week? you text me at 3am, you have alarms going off when you are clearly awa ke. alarms going off when you are clearly awake. i must've set the alarm and even though you turn your

phone off... apologies everybody. i think we got away with it. it has been a lovely april. it has been this sunniest april on record according to provisional figures from the met office. 215 hours, 0.8 hours, which beats the record set in april. it has been lovely and i think, i know it is hard for people who cannot get out into the sunshine, but it brings a bit ofjoy to see it at least. more people spending far more time at home so they have more time to be creative. go on, what have they done?m they have more time to be creative. go on, what have they done? if you find it hard to keep track on your cat, this is an internet craze that is going to help. quite a few going

around. turning a cardboard box into attack and put it on the internet. and the cats are happy? maybe they. slightly bemused. an unexpected story, from the male, a billion bottles of wine could go to waste as it hits vineyards across europe, the coronavirus. we are waiting for deliveries and could be drinking more but particularly small producers in france and italy with no storage space for the 2020 harvest may actually get rid of their wine. that is a bit disappointing. now, ido their wine. that is a bit disappointing. now, i do not know if you are a conspiracy theory but the pentagon has declassified film footage that seems to show us navy pilot encountering an unidentified flying object. the clip which they

state depicts unexplained error phenomena were previously linked to alien ufos. the pentagon said it released the footage to clear any misconception by the public. it also says the footage does not reveal any sensitive information or impinge on any current investigation. 0ne sensitive information or impinge on any current investigation. one from 2004, one from 200015. a dark object, round, one of the pilots who witnessed this says there is a whole fleet of them. they are going against the wind, 120 knots of the west, i do not understand, look at that thing, said the pilot. make your own mind that thing, said the pilot. make yourown mind up. let's go back to one of our top stories now,

and the news that the number of coronavirus cases in america has now passed a million. more than 57,000 americans have died. those figures come as pictures have emerged of the us vice president mike pence at a top us hospital without a mask, despite the medical centre's own rules that visitors should wear personal protective equipment. it is quite noticeable he is the only person not wearing a mask. let's speak now to dr shannon bennett, a virologist from the california academy of sciences. thank you very much indeed for joining us. a significant milestone, a million americans tested for coronavirus. are you surprised by the speed? i am. it feels like it was just last week when we reached 1 million worldwide. it is amazing how fast the virus has swept through the world and our country. 57,000 people have died and the right emergency

measures in place but are they having any effect? yes, that is the great news. even though we have lost so many lives and reached a million, many so many lives and reached a million, ma ny states so many lives and reached a million, many states and cities, the procedures taken are starting to work. in california, we like to think about surfing a lot and what we have been doing is seeing this epidemic wave comfort a safe way. it has been growing quickly and now we have reached the peak and we are starting to head down the other side so even though we have reached 1 million, precautions are working and it is more important to stay the course. we have spoken in the uk about protective equipment. our health workers in the us safe? by no means and that is one of the ongoing challenges. to make sure health

workers are protected, are trained to protect themselves, and are provided with the right equipment to protect themselves and their patients. that is of paramount importance because healthcare workers mixed with so many people. they are so vulnerable as well as hot spots for transmission. tell us about the american public. do they ta ke about the american public. do they take the restrictions seriously? about the american public. do they take the restrictions seriously7m is very interesting. we are a union of states and many states are taking different approaches and have different approaches and have different timing to the approaches they take and the populace in different states react differently. here in california, we are taking it fairly seriously. the summer weather has been hard but it is paying off to see the sheltering in place pay off and that encourages people and

people are taking it seriously and staying at home as much as possible and wearing personal detective equipment and that has been shown to be really important. no—one should be really important. no—one should be out and not wearing protective equipment. thank you very much indeed for your time. we will be talking about facemasks later in the programme. it's more than five weeks since the uk went into lockdown, which has led to many of us feeling anxious and stressed about the situation. mental health charities have told bbc breakfast that they're seeing increasing numbers of people asking for help to cope with the pandemic, as tim muffett reports. for deborah, life can seem manageable then suddenly things change. one minute i will be absolutely fine and the next minute iam absolutely fine and the next minute i am crying uncontrollably. debra has experienced mental health

problems before but five weeks into that lot down, this feels different. anything can set me off crying. do you think five weeks into the lockdown things are getting better or worse for you? for me personally, it is getting worse. trying to keep my son occupied, trying to maintain a novel life to him. i have been suffering panic attacks as well and they are actually quite scary. shaking uncontrollably, start crying and breaking out into cold sweats. emma isa and breaking out into cold sweats. emma is a listening volunteer for the samaritans. the charity says one in three callers are saying in the pandemic is one of the reasons they are seeking help. we are absolutely there for our callers by phone or

e—mails. people are feeling very isolated and they are struggling and for some people this is a completely unknown, unprecedented situation. they just do not unknown, unprecedented situation. theyjust do not know how to feel. meredith is an american student stranded alone in glasgow. meredith is an american student stranded alone in glasgowlj meredith is an american student stranded alone in glasgow. i have had a couple of days where i cannot stop crying. this might be a year of my life i might never be able to get back and the time i will never be able to experience again. do you know when you are about to feel very low? definitely sometimes they come out of the blue. usually when a problem happens, you know when it is going to be over and you have something to look forward to but when you don't know what is going on, it is sad to have hope for the future. stay connected and staying active can help as we try to keep our bodies healthy, many wonder how

our bodies healthy, many wonder how our minds will cope. tim muffett, bbc news. you can find can find tips on how to look after your mental health on the nhs every mind matters website. that's at: nhs. uk/oneyou/every—mind—matters we will put on our social media. we will make sure it is on our social media later. in france, the government has announced a significant relaxing of restrictions from the middle of next month — which it says is necessary to prevent economic breakdown. the package of measures, which depends on infection rates remaining low, includes schools and shops reopening and people will be able to travel within 60 miles of their home. 0ur paris correspondent lucy williamson has the story. of all the lessons learned during lockdown, the hardest for the government

has been working out how to end it. aurelie's four children have been studying at home since the middle of march. primary schools will reopen on may 11, but aurelie says it's too soon. translation: i don't think my kids are going back in may. i'm going to wait before i send them into a group environment. the prime minister warned today that france risked the collapse of society if it kept the restrictions in place for too long. translation: never in the history of our country have we known a situation like this. not during war, nor occupation, nor in previous epidemics. never has the country been confined as it is today. it can't go on forever. if infection rates stay low, most major restrictions will start to be lifted next month. schools will begin opening from may 11 on a voluntary basis. all shops will reopen and people will be free

to move within 60 miles. but beaches, cinemas and large museums will stay closed. and a decision on bars and restaurants has been pushed back to the end of may. pressure to lift the lockdown here is coming from the top. earlier this month, president macron set a date of may 11 to ease restrictions and start reopening schools. his government has quickly pulled together a plan for how to do that. but it's delicate, it's complicated and there is strong opposition from those on the ground. teachers' unions have described the reopening of schools next month as "unworkable", even "mission impossible". translation: the scientific advisers have proposed that classes are staggered, that the children are a metre away from each other at all times, that they shouldn't circulate in the corridors. all this will cause us enormous problems. the plan for lifting lockdown here rests on keeping

new infections low, under 3,000 a day. some areas may need to relax the rules more slowly. but the task of containing this epidemic is shifting from government responsibility to individual response. lucy williamson, bbc news, paris. we arejust beginning we are just beginning to see how other countries are approaching easing of lockdown and perhaps a way out. and a big debate in the uk in the coming weeks. we will be speaking to the government as per usual at about 7:30am. here's matt with a look at this morning's weather. good morning. as we mentioned yesterday, the sunniest april on record at drastic turnaround since sunday. 21 yesterday, same spot,

seven degrees, significantly colder. with it came lots of rain. 22 millimetres in surrey. before then we had only had 14 millimetres up to the start of this week and the trend for wet conditions continues for the rest of the week at times. through today, further heavy rain across the country but it will not be raining all the time with sunshine coming and going as well. through southern scotland, northern england, patchy rain. heavy rain from this weather front which will push across south—west england and wales for the next few hours. gusty winds around the coast as well. rain spreading through the southern counties of england and into the afternoon into parts of northern ireland, northern england and maybe the far south of scotland. sunshine returns across

parts of south—western england, the midlands and wales in the afternoon and stays sunny throughout the far north of scotland. breeze, generally, a light one for many. showers later. and it temperatures a little bit closer to where they should be. cooler conditions across south—east scotland. rain and drizzle across scotland. heavy burst through southern scotland and at times northern ireland. temperatures are still in a single figures. with rain around to start thursday, an area of low pressure is going to be area of low pressure is going to be a case of dodging showers on thursday, particularly across england and wales. rain slowly turning lighter but across england and wales, heavy showers popping up here and there and the channel coast with especially winds gusty touching

galeforce at times. showers will be with you for a while but some of you, particularly across northern england and northern parts of scotland, staying dry through thursday. at the end of the windsor north—westerly. heavy showers across northern ireland, north—west england and wales and the odd rumble of thunder cannot be ruled out. that is how it is looking. hello, this is breakfast with dan walker and louise minchin. it has just it hasjust gone it has just gone 6:30am. we'll bring you all the latest news and sport in a moment, but also on breakfast this morning. some posties are finding novel ways to make us smile — but lockdown means they're working harder than ever. stay tuned to find out how we can all show our appreciation. we'll be discussing the merits — or otherwise — of covering ourfaces to stop the spread of coronavirus,

as scotland becomes the latest place to advise people to wear masks in public. and we'll be looking at past ve day celebrations, after it was announced the queen will address the nation for next week's 75th anniversary, which will culminate in a national sing—a—long of we'll meet again. good morning. it's time to put some of your questions to a gp. joining us from chesham is dr nighat arif. good morning. lots of questions to get through today. there is a new survey, lots of patients displaying... every year, on average agp displaying... every year, on average a gp requests about 25 patients fork

cancer or bowel. we have seen there isa cancer or bowel. we have seen there is a decline in the numbers since coronavirus. 0ne is a decline in the numbers since coronavirus. one is patients are scared to contact us because i will refer them to the hospital and they will pick up coronavirus. patients contact thing because we cannot examine them. i want to say to all patients, if you are experiencing any symptoms of weight lost, you have found a lump in your breast or any thing that is unusual to you, pick up the telephone and speak to yourgp. we can pick up the telephone and speak to your gp. we can refer your own words if it needs to be a specialist because the thing is, cancer is still happening, strokes are still happening and hearken to tax our happening, we need to pick them up earlier. —— heart attacks.|j happening, we need to pick them up earlier. -- heart attacks. i am sure there are people watching you listening to those who are in that situation but i worry about going into hospital and potentially

contracting the virus? there are measures in place. if i take the example of correct doll cancer. —— there is a test in buckinghamshire where i am practising we have those test tha n where i am practising we have those test than some surgeries and that means we can send it to the patient ora means we can send it to the patient or a patient can pick up from the surgery, they can give as a stool sample and we can check it. that has a high sensitivity to pick—up cancer and then we can refer them to the hospital. there are things in place and if patients need to be examined there are hot clinics. if they have got symptoms they can be seen separately if they have coronavirus symptoms. and if they do not have coronavirus symptoms, they can be seen separately as well. hopefully that has allayed some of the fears of some of you in that situation.

some questions about keeping child vaccinations are up—to—date. how important is that and how possible is that to do the moment? like i said earlier, the rest of medicine are still happening. we are finding things like routine things, some are dropping off. but child immunisation is so important, particularly in this environment. there are still some other bugs around, rubella, meningitis and influenza, all of those infections are still going around. along with covid—19. we are saying to patients, our nurses are ringing them and asking if their child as well and does not have a temperature, it is fine for them to come in and have their vaccines. some of my colleagues are doing drive—through vaccinations. imagine going to mcdonald's and picking up your meal, you drive—through and the

nurse will have our ppe on and give your child a vaccine. there are novel ways they are using. they are with us, not things are going smoothly in all practices. some routine things are not happening, we are putting them on. contact your gp to find out what is going on to keep up to find out what is going on to keep up with that. i like the idea of going through mcdonald's. .. up with that. i like the idea of going through mcdonald's... it is lovely to see smiling when you're talking to has this morning. we mention mental health quite a bit, not just today and over the last few weeks and days on this programme. it isa weeks and days on this programme. it is a concern notjust for the general public but for people in the position that you are in, for those in the health service. how much of an impact as it had on you and your colleagues, what you're experiencing and going at the moment. there is a

real camaraderie. we know there public are behind us and that gives a moral boost. some people have a difficult relationship with that happening. we as a collective in our area, we are relying on each other. what concerns me that mental health was never invest the dead before coronavirus was happening. we are seeing a lot of burn—out and a lot of gps and i worry that that will continue. there have been things put in place, i talked about the joyful doctor last time he is actively trying to connect with colleagues and telling them to reach out. there is difficulty in that because we feel that we need to be at the front line supporting our colleagues but then people who get sick, we feel guilty feeling sick or taking a holiday or taking breaks. a lot of my colleagues have put off their leaf or holiday which will impact

their mental health further. it is trying to get the balance right. it is uncharted waters and learning at different speeds. i worry that later on that mental health is going to be a huge or worse impact to what coronavirus has had itself. a huge or worse impact to what coronavirus has had itselflj a huge or worse impact to what coronavirus has had itself. i wanted to ask another question about that, once we get to the other side of this and the easing of the government restrictions we are under, but to return to some sort of normal life, do you think it will be a huge issue for huge swathes of the general public trying to readjust and make sure there is a provision for mental health care in the system. yes, of course. mental health has been underfunded for a long time now. we have had adult mental health that has been underfunded, in our local area, getting a referral was 12 weeks. that should not be happening. so we haven't actually invented in that infrastructure. we need to look at

that again and i feel that mental health is going to have the biggest impact. we can see it now in the lockdown. people are suffering, panic attacks, depression, people are becoming scared of leaving the home and a ragged phobic symptoms are coming out. agoraphobic. it will be addressed and see what comes out at the end of this. i'm going to ask you about facemasks, it is a changing situation. scotland are saying they are recommending the use of facemasks in enclosed places. the mayor of london could suggest that people wear facemasks in mayor of london could suggest that people wearfacemasks in public mayor of london could suggest that people wear facemasks in public as well as enclosed spaces. where are you standing on this, the british medical association are recommending that the public use cloth masks to cover their faces. as a pakistani woman, wearing a face mask is not at

difficulty. 0n woman, wearing a face mask is not at difficulty. on a personal level, that has not been a problem. 0n difficulty. on a personal level, that has not been a problem. on a serious note, i think it really needs to be reviewed. yourfacemask will protect me and you and therefore we should be looking at revising that. if you look at other countries that have used facemasks, their transmission rates decreased. we need to ease out a lockdown, that is having issues economically and are mental and physical well—being. we need a framework in place to do that. if you cannot practice self distancing or two metres, the london underground, how will people go back to work in practice self distancing. we have got to think of cloth masks is doing that. even if that protect some of the droplets, which is the way the virus is transmitted, that is not that is being advised by the

government at the moment. really good to talk to you, dr nighat arif. we will ask the government about that. we will be speaking about facemasks after eight o'clock as well. we will be speaking to doctor jason leech. it is add if —— interesting discussion as well. sally, we are looking for were coming back. what should it be, mass participation, football? i've been telling you this week about the premier league's project restart as clubs hope to return to action injune. well, a leading doctor has told the bbc that shouldn't be the focus. instead it should be mass participation events, such as park runs and community sports that are the first to resume. here's our sports news reporter laura scott. three, two, one!

it is one of the biggest mass participation sporting events, but there's an argument that parkrun could be a good starting point for the return of the sport, if carefully managed. doctor brian mccloskey public health advisor to the world health organisation thinks the focus should be on community support when the uk eases out of lockdown. if you look at something like road running, if we go back to the parkruns, that were becoming very popular in the uk for communities before this, you could start those because they don't involve a lot of travel around the country. they involve local communities. you can manage how it is done and in doing that you can learn how marshalling can help with social distancing in a ran. larger events that involve travel out of the local community and more people could be logistically more difficult. the premier league are talking about resuming on the 8th ofjune, which he thinks might

just be possible. not having big crowds going in and out of a stadium will reduce the risk. all the tv cameras and all those things. the smaller numbers it is breezier to keep people separate and get them in and out quicker. sporting events don't come bigger than the olympics and there has been concern over the ability of tokyo 2020 to go ahead if a vaccine is not available. yet dr mccloskey is more confident with over a year to go. i think when we talk about tokyo 2020 in ‘21 not happening, is vastly premature. we have got 15 months to go and lots of things are going to happen in that time. clearly having a vaccine will make a huge difference to the games and to all sports and indeed to our community runs. so a vaccine would be critical. perhaps the first green shoots of sports return want come from the premier league's project restart, that recreational

running events and local tennis and golf clubs. could a bottom—up approach rather than top down end up being the way forward? laura scott, bbc news. really interesting idea, that. do let us know what you think. the fiancee of murdered journalist jamal khashoggi has urged the premier league to block saudi arabia's potential takeover of newcastle united. the country's public investment fund — led by prince mohammed bin salman — look set to buy 80% of the club in a deal worth £300 million. however, kashoggi's fiancee says the deal shouldn't go ahead. western intelligence agencies believe the prince ordered the journalists death inside saudi arabia's consulate in turkey two years ago. he denies this. now, you might remember on breakfast yesterday we were talking about how to get the right haircut in this lockdown. all the home haircuts we have been

watching. well, perhaps the world's number one tennis player novak djokovic was listening! so here he is with his wifejelena — and the dreaded clippers! a decent amount of hair there. well, there was certainly a lot of hair on the floor. and here's the end result. a good job! i think she did really a very good job. iam i think she did really a very good job. i am loving seeing all the lockdown haircuts. that one is pretty good, you must save. matt taylor's good lady did a spectacular job on his bonnet. have you cut your own hair? we had nicky clarke on yesterday. he said you have to cut a fringe dry, not wet. i think it's done all right. good for you. thank you. rainbows on windows and the thursday

night clap for our carers have all become part of lockdown life. well, now we've got the chance to show our appreciation for some of our other key workers, our posties, as adam mcclean reports. these postal workers in lancashire are among those delivering to more than 29 million addresses across the country every day. with an increase in demand as people stay at home, they're working harder than ever. there's massive public appreciation for all key workers, and postal workers are not exempt from that. we've seen the thumbs—up initiative from customers, so we've seen kids on the street with the thumbs up to the posties, which they really appreciate. we've had gifts, we've had letters sent in, cards — it's been overwhelming, the amount of support we've had from the public. it's busier than christmas. some people ask me from time to time, why are you guys not sort of at home, like us? especially the elderly. we say, well, we can't, because we've got to get people's stuff out. royal mail are seeing much higher than usual sickness absence due to illness and self isolation.

but the staff at this delivery office say they're here for the uk. royal mail is an institution of the uk and we will always be here to keep the country moving. and that's why we are key workers and we are working on the front line and we just ask you to stay home, keep safe and protect our front line workers so they can keep getting the essential items that you need, to you. many postal workers have been hearing just how valued they are, with some leaving refreshments on the doorstep. a simple thumbs—up, like i said, on the street is all they need. and that can make their day. 0rjust saying thank you and drop my parcel off at the door. from sweet treats, to the games of hopscotch and the odd challenge of noughts and crosses, people across the country are asking their posties to wait a minute while they say thank you. # wait, wait a minute mr postman # wait a minute, mr postman...# adam mcclean, bbc news.

we will be talking to a postman a little later, who is actually playing noughts and crosses as well. they have now moved on to connect for. how much of our airline industry will survive this crisis? british airways has said it will make up to 12,000 staff redundant. sean's having a look at this. morning dan, lou. terrible news for the staff at british airways — and that will have a ripple effect right across the travel industry. they were warning we will not see the kind of airline usage that all of us would use, whether for business or pleasure, that we had in 2019, we won't see that for several yea rs 2019, we won't see that for several years now. normally it flies about 300 aircraft out of heathrow each day. on monday, for example, it flew just a handful. 0verall ba employs around 42,000 staff, including 4,500 pilots

and 16,000 cabin crew. they have already taken action like many businesses have. nearly 23,000 of those have been placed on the government's furlough scheme, where 80% of wages are covered by the taxpayer. that scheme runs until the end ofjune. but british airways are now looking to make more than a quarter of staff redundant, as it thinks concerns about global travel will linger a lot longer thanjust these few months. that has been a big issue for the company to have to decide what to do next. the chief executive of ba wrote a letter to staff saying the future looks worse than previously thought for the airline industry, adding that, "there is no government bailout standing by for ba and we cannot expect the taxpayer to offset salaries indefinitely. we will see some airlines go out of business." but and what about the unions, what are they saying? the pilots union,

balpa, was pretty shocked by this announcement. even though we are in this crisis that has been unprecedented for the airline industry. they will be watching very closely that companies like british airways aren't just closely that companies like british airways aren'tjust making cuts to save money the way that they might have wa nted save money the way that they might have wanted to be in a crisis, and they will want to be sure that the case is made for everyjob that needs to go. but we have heard other airlines. richard branson's virgin atla ntic airlines. richard branson's virgin atlantic requested a bailout. we have seen flybe go under this year already. that had been struggling for a few years. airlines around europe looking to make the same decisions. this is because they don't expect us to fly as much. we are going to be doing more conference calls than may be business travel. all of us individually feeling a little different confidence was about travelling next. and if the economic effect of all of this is pretty long lasting, will be have the money to spend as much as we have done on holidays in previous years? some are good questions. thank you. see you later.

the planned street parties and parades to mark the 75th anniversary of ve day can't go ahead next week, of course. instead, the queen will mark the occasion with a televised address to the nation. let's look back now on how people over the decades have celebrated that historic moment when the guns fell silent at the end of the second world war in europe. archive: this is the bbc home service. we're interrupting programmes to make the following announcement. an official announcement will be broadcast by the prime minister at three o'clock tomorrow, tuesday afternoon, may eight. hostilities will end, officially, at one minute after midnight tonight. the german war is therefore at an end. we may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing. today is victory in europe day. # blue skies, smiling at me

# nothing but blue skies do i see...# cheering

we're replacing street parties and parades with acts of remembrance from our own homes. but i hope 75 years later, particularly wtih the added poignancy of recent events, that we can all come together as a nation and mark this historic occasion. it's very interesting looking back at those scenes are different things are going to be this year. yes. what are your ve day lockdown plans? please let us know — we'd love to hear from you. and later on in the programe, we'll be hearing from the historian dan snow, who is preparing to present a history lesson for children. it's time for the green goddess now. diana moran has been helping us keep

fit and active over the last few weeks. here she is with another workout to get you moving. good morning, everyone. i hope you've been enjoying this slightly better weather that we've been having recently. looks as if i'm having a gene kelly moment. it's just that i wanted to use a long stick, like a rambling pole, or maybe my golf club, to do a few exercises. so if you golfers, who can't get out and about at the minute, gardenders and a few other people, come on, let's just use either that golf club, or a bit of bamboo, to move our bodies, stretch our bodies. just a piece of equipment, simple like this, just encourages you to move a little bit more. you can be out in the fresh air doing this — you wouldn't even

be hitting the plants, like i'm slightly doing here this morning! and then twist — use your body, twist. twist. that's it. look round to the side, look right round. that's it. work your body. lovely. that's really good. i'm just going to work my back a little bit. so just simply move the umbrella, or the stick, up and down, working your body in a slightly unusual way. and when you do that, your bones respond and say, we should get a bit stronger. as long as you're having enough calcium in your diet, plus vitamin d, which is that sunshine, your bones will get stronger. let's go to the other side. so then, just up... ..and down.

up and down. now what about those poor feet? let's have a look at what i call fidgety feet. so, we'lljust put the toes in, lift and lower, lift and lower. working the ankles. working the little toe muscles as well. that's good! keeping us nice and agile. don't run into the habit of sitting in the chair too much. that's good. let's finally stretch out the muscles with the help of the umbrella, or the golf club! that's good. stretch out. stretch the other one. good. and now we really will be

singing in the rain! 0r, yes, get out in the garden, or take a nice long walk. come on, let's keep fit and carry on! that is just perfect for this time of the morning. a bit of a stretch! we will have the headlines in a few minutes after a look at the weather. i don't want to show you this picture because it's not looking great, is it? it's certainly not brilliant. they will be some sunshine. not quite so brilliant of this morning. it is grey, misty and damp. a similar story yesterday and last night's ring. heavier burst of rain to come today across the country. not quite as wet as yesterday in some

respects. they will also be some dry weather around at many places will see some sunshine. here is the big picture. that is a weather front still left over from yesterday producing patchy rain and drizzle from southern scotland through to east anglia. another spell of heavy rain in the next system. after giving the ground a damping yesterday, it should soak in. a couple of hours potentially of rain spreading across south—western wales and the rest of southern england, the midlands coming to north—west england. through the afternoon into northern ireland, where it will sit for the second half of the day. the rain reaching eastern counties of england and southern scotland by the end of the afternoon. sunshine following. gusty winds. heavy and thundery showers towards the far south—west later. there will be some sunshine and throughout the day across the north of scotland. may be up across the north of scotland. may be up to 14 in the south. not as chilly as yesterday. this evening and

overnight the band of rain fizzles out across scotland. heavier rain will work north and east again. similarto will work north and east again. similar to today. clear skies later. a cool night. nothing desperately chilly. for a thursday, a cool night. nothing desperately chilly. fora thursday, low a cool night. nothing desperately chilly. for a thursday, low pressure firmly overhead. that means just about anywhere, particularly across southern scotland, likely to see some rain at times. they could be some rain at times. they could be some sharers to begin within the north of scotland. the most persistent rain will be across parts of central scotland in the morning. england, wales and on the other hand, heavy showers happening. dry in northern england. fast moving with gusty winds towards the south. the odd rumble of thunder. temperatures similar to today at around ten to 14 degrees. a bit of an improvement on yesterday. dan and louise will have the headlines shortly.

good morning, welcome to breakfast with dan walker and louise minchin. 0ur headlines today. millions more people will be able to get tested for coronavirus from today, including all staff and residents of care homes. the debate over whether to wear masks in public — scotland becomes the latest country to recommend covering yourface in shops and public transport. the united states reaches a grim milestone as the number of cases of coronavirus passes a million. clothes prices tumble but will that help sales? the cost of filling our wardrobes has fallen by the most on record — i'll take a look at how that is affecting the retail giant next.

and in sport — a leading health advisor warns football is getting it wrong by trying to restart the premier league amid the global pandemic. it's wednesday 29th april. the government has announced plans for millions more of us to be able to book a test for coronavirus from today. all over—65s and anyone who needs to leave home to go to work will be eligible, if they have symptoms of covid—19. other members of their household who become ill can also apply online. care home residents and staff in england, are also being offered tests — even if they are showing no signs of the virus. dan johnson reports. this is liz kemp who died in a care home. herfamily this is liz kemp who died in a care home. her family say staff did all they could in herfinal days but the could not stop the virus from

getting. st cecilia's nursing home in scarborough where they locked down early. but across the three homes in the group, they still saw 11 deaths, four definitely linked to coronavirus. this is the area that we have for anyone that's being barrier nursed. as late as mid—march, public health england advising that people receiving care were unlikely to be affected and think should carry on as normal even if staff showed symptoms. the government has been accused of not doing enough to protect the most vulnerable people. there has been a focus from the

start, we have strengthened the rules around what happens in care homes and improved infection control. and also making testing available throughout the care sector, i think is incredibly important as we have ramped up the availability of testing. now across england, all care homes staff and residents will be eligible for testing. availability is still a major frustration. now testing. availability is still a majorfrustration. now over testing. availability is still a major frustration. now over 65s and theirfamilies along major frustration. now over 65s and their families along with anyone in a household someone going out to work will be able to apply online for a test if they are showing symptoms. repeated promises have also been made to deliver enough of the equipment staff need to keep themselves safe. away from care homes, there are more questions about wearing masks or face coverings. the first minister in scotla nd coverings. the first minister in scotland said there could be some benefit and recommended them for

closed spaces like public transport and shops. that is a move away from the uk government. we are concerned some people who do not have symptoms yet and that is the reason that we have put some effort into looking at this question. the answer is clear, that the evidence is weak and the effect is small. there is a call not to wear masks needed by medics and a reminder that a face covering does not replace the lockdown rules. whatever the advice, they are becoming more common as we work out the reality of living with the virus. we're joined now from westminster by our political correspondent jonathan blake. good morning. a number of issues covered there, their target of 100 thousand tests a day. how damaging do you think will it be for the government for missing that. the deadline is looming tomorrow. if the

government does not reach its target of 100,000 tests a day and there will be questions to answer. it will be embarrassing for the health secretary and the prime minister has said that they are confident of meeting it. where are we now? around 42,000 tests done in the recent 24 hour period we have figures for. the capacity is around 70,000. that suggests if things do not change quickly, even if the government can offer 100,000 tests it will not mean that 100,000 people are tested within 24 errors. they are clearly doing everything they can, opening up doing everything they can, opening up their eligibility. anyone with symptoms can get a test, there are more mobile testing systems, home testing kits available and drive

through testing centres we have seen. it will point to the huge increase in testing over the past few weeks and that is important because it will form a big part of the government's strategy. trace, track entries in terms of containing the outbreak in the future and allowing people perhaps slowly over time to get back to life as normal. the number of coronavirus cases in the united states has now passed one million — nearly a third of the world's total. that includes more than 57,000 deaths, which is now more than the number of americans who were killed in the vietnam war. 0ur north america correspondent peter bowes reports. two grim milestones highlighting the devastating impact of covid—19 on the united states. more than one million cases and over 58,000 people killed by the virus, which surpasses the number

of americans who died over nearly two decades in vietnam. and the outbreak is far from over. one of the white house's senior medical advisers has warned that covid—19 could re—emerge later in the year. it's not going to disappear from the planet. which means as we get into next season — in my mind — it's inevitable that we will have a return of the virus or maybe it applause. at a meeting with small business owners, echoing comments he made in february, president trump said he was optimistic the number of cases would ultimately go down to zero. you never know about a vaccine. but tremendous progress has been made. johnson & johnson and oxford and lots of good things that — you've been hearing the same things as i do. tremendous progress has been made — we think — on a vaccine. you always have to say "think", and then have to test it, and that takes a period of time. in the meantime, much of the country is still at a standstill,

with stay—at—home orders enforced until at least the middle of may. 26 million americans have lost theirjobs during the pandemic. the us commerce department is expected to report later that gross domestic product suffered a steep drop in the first quarter of the year, with the economy shrinking by up to 4%. it will be the biggest decline in economic activity since the great recession over a decade ago. and there's much worse to come over the coming months, since the virus didn't begin to impact the us economy until late march. but president trump remains optimistic. it's going to come back very fast. now that our experts believe the worst days of the pandemic are behind us, americans are looking forward to the safe and rapid reopening of our country. on a trip to a medical centre in minnesota, mike pence thanked health workers and researchers for their efforts during the pandemic, but his visit was overshadowed

by his decision to ignore the hospital's rules that all visitors should wear face masks. the vice president said he wasn't concerned about spending the virus because he'd tested negative several times for covid—19. peter bowes, bbc news, los angeles. labour are demanding the findings of an inquiry into home secretary priti patel‘s conduct be made public "as soon as possible". in march, borisjohnson asked the cabinet office to investigate following allegations the minister had bullied staff at three government departments. ms patel, who was interviewed as part of the process, has strenuously denied the claims. from this weekend letters will no longer be delivered on saturdays. royal mail claim it follows a plea from staff to ease the burden on their workloads during the coronavirus crisis. but the communication workers union dispute that, and are opposed to the move, saying its cost cutting. letter deliveries from monday to friday will continue as normal, while parcels will still be delivered on saturdays.

revised plans to mark the 75th anniversary of ve day have been announced. the coronavirus outbreak means the usual street parties and parades cannot go ahead. the queen will instead make a special address to the nation and people will be encouraged to join a doorstep sing along to dame vera lynn's wartime anthem, we'll meet again. i saw that post it in the park the other day. on a big poster on a tree. it is an note of optimism that we all need. anyone with symptoms of cancer is being urged to contact their gp, after nhs england revealed there's been a 70% drop in the number of referrals since the pandemic was declared. a network of covid—free hubs has now been set up across the country, to make sure those who need urgent cancer treatment will get it.

0ur reporter lucie kon has been to see how one of them works. we have got two different trusts operating. joanna franks is a consultant breast surgeon. in normal times, she splits her working week, looking after nhs patients at university college hospital in central london. and private patients here at the wellington hospital in north london. now because of covid, her team have relocated their entire service here. we have a series of theatres, they would ordinarily have gone to sleep in the anaesthetic room, now they will go to sleep in the main theatre. it is variable depending on theatre. it is variable depending on the complexity of each case so we have to think about how long each case will take and we have to safely recover the patient, some of that time has to be in the operating theatre. theatre for, at the royal free are doing breast. in theatre

five we have got skin cancer being done by the royal free team. five we have got skin cancer being done by the royal free teamm five we have got skin cancer being done by the royal free team. it is one of three covid three —— three covered pubs. they will come. they make sure it stays free by testing every patient for the virus before they are admitted. she has weekly meetings with colleagues in the other hospital aligns to see who they can treat. patients are prioritised by new guidelines on difficult decisions have to be made. for some patients it is clear they need to have time critical treatment and they are being put forward by their team to be discussed for prioritisation. three weeks ago, during coronavirus, covid—19! prioritisation. three weeks ago, during coronavirus, covid—19 i was diagnosed with breast cancer. this

woman is coming to terms with her diagnosis. she is not a patient in one of the hospitals involved here. i know i would be on an operating schedule if we did not have covid. and in foreign vasectomy with reconstruction. but because of covid, everything is on hold. —— mastectomy. one nurse has said that the treatment options are so limited at the moment that she has seen a dramatic increase in the number of patients having mastectomies without reconstruction. urgent and essential urgent cancer treatments have two b taken. but this charity have partnered with a hospital here and 13 other nhs trust to provide an after—ca re 13 other nhs trust to provide an

after—care service for women who do have surgery. it is complicated for a breast care nurse. we are ensuring she has everything that she requires to give a patient from the post—surgery bras and the companies, for the post—surgery bras and the companies, forthe drain post—surgery bras and the companies, for the drain bags, for the head scarves so for the drain bags, for the head scarves so that they can feel that they can give their best to their patient in a very traumatic time. they can give their best to their patient in a very traumatic timelj was diagnosed on the 12th of february. by the end of the day, the tea m february. by the end of the day, the team working here at the wellington will have operated on 100 of their breast cancer patients. one of them was and. i went to ben et al. co mforta ble was and. i went to ben et al. comfortable saying anyone else, it was also important to have the team. iam familiarwith was also important to have the team. i am familiar with you, i am confident with you and to be able to have you come over into a safe environment in the wellington made it possible for me. people really shouldn't hesitate. they are safe to come into hospital and if they wait

until there seems to be a better time, to see it in advance. we'rejoined from southampton now by nhs england's national clinical director for cancer, peterjohnson, and from abergavenny, we have naomi keevil, who is a breast cancer patient. naomi, i was watching that thinking of you because this is like the situation you are in. good morning. my situation you are in. good morning. my thoughts really are with you because you were diagnosed in mid—march with breast cancer? because you were diagnosed in mid-march with breast cancer? that's right. and how has the fact we are in this extraordinary situation affected your treatment? it's definitely impacted on the treatment. so yes, i was diagnosed mid—march. and in my diagnosis meeting i was given a treatment plan. it consisted of chemotherapy

for six months. then in november time, surgery possibly. and then in the early next year, radiotherapy. but a few days later i was called backin but a few days later i was called back in and was told unfortunately cancer treatment was changing at that point and i wouldn't be able to be offered chemotherapy up front as i was going to be offered. and that they would be recommending i go straight to the surgery option. and that in itself is a shock, isn't it? absolutely. a huge shock. once i had my plan in place of the diagnosis i felt stronger and i felt better because there was a plan, something to hold onto. for there to be thrown into the airand to hold onto. for there to be thrown into the air and then to suddenly have this idea that i had about eight months to get used to the idea of having major surgery, to then be turning around and saying, actually that's going to happen really soon and we can't give you the treatment plan that we were hoping for at the

moment. i do feel i was incredibly lucky that i did actually get to have the surgery because until the la st have the surgery because until the last moment i was told that the directives were changing and at any point there might not be a ventilator, a bed, a surgeon. sol definitely was very thankful that i did manage to have surgery. let's put those points to peterjohnson. i'm sure you appreciate what naomi and many others are going through at the moment. we have seen the dramatic rise in radical surgery is taking place and many people having to adjust what they thought they we re to adjust what they thought they were going to be going through? good morning. yes, the nhs has had to adapt very quickly to the coronavirus pandemic. and we've had to change many of the things that we do. firstly, to keep people safe because we know people who are having major surgery, who are having chemotherapy, are more vulnerable to the virus. and secondly, to help the nhs to create the capacity to look after people with the coronavirus itself. we have changed very rapidly a lot of the things we do. and i

com pletely a lot of the things we do. and i completely understand that people find it very unsettling to have changes made to their treatment plans. but what is driving all this is our need to make sure that we protect life as far as we possibly can. at the same time is continuing to deliver as much cancer treatment as we possibly can. can you understand why somebody might be watching this and maybe they have found a lump, orfound something they are not sure about, and they would be worried about going to see a doctor about that because of what is happening with the virus affecting all sorts of areas of the health system at the moment?” com pletely health system at the moment?” completely understand people's worry. the british public have done a fantasticjob of staying at home, not going out unless absolutely necessary. and people have understood that the coronavirus being around makes life more dangerous. however, it's possible to say now that we have got the facilities to treat people. you have heard about it in the piece just now. we have worked very hard to reorganise the we develop cancer ca re over reorganise the we develop cancer care over whole regions of the country, so we have safe places for

people to go to get their tests, to get their surgery. we are testing people before their surgery to make sure they do not have the coronavirus. we are taking lots of precautions to make sure that we are delivering care as safely as we possibly can, so the very important message is that cancer can be a much bigger danger than coronavirus and we would much rather see people when cancer is at an early stage, when it is curable, that have them wait for it to be spread around the body when it to be spread around the body when it will be much more difficult to treat. so the messages if you are not right, if you got the symptoms, get in contact with your gp. we are doing things very differently. there are television —— telephone consultations, video consultations, all sorts of ways that people can get the help they need in a safe way. naomi, i can see you nodding along. you are exactly in that position, where you need to go into hospital. how do you deal with it?

well, i now, as has been said, for me coronavirus is a possibility but cancer is here. that's what i have to treat. that's what i have to focus on. and you now, i'm really pleased to see the treatments are continuing and they are being offered and support networks are there and are running, albeit in a slightly different way. so yeah, i'm just trying to keep positive. hopefully me and other people in my situation will be getting treatments that they need. peter, we heard the health secretary talk on monday about the cancer services. can you give us an idea of how much of the sort of cancer framework that was available before it is now available ain? available before it is now available again? well, we have set up these cancer surgery hubs across the country. in england we have 21 cancer alliances working on plans,

they have all got the facilities up and running. in many places we have continued to give chemotherapy and radiotherapy. cancer surgery took an initial dip as we diverted resources to deal with coronavirus but that is now coming back up again. across the whole of england we are setting up these hubs to make sure people can get the treatment they need. it may be in get the treatment they need. it may beina get the treatment they need. it may be in a slightly different place to usual. we have worked hard with hospitals to create the facilities of the sort you heard about in the peace there to make sure that we can keep people out of harm's way at the same time as they get their cancer treatment. my heart goes out to you, naomi. people are having it tough anyway, but you have cancer as well... how is it impacting you and yourfamily? well... how is it impacting you and your family? it's a very hard not being face—to—face with family and friends. i really, really miss them at this point especially when i could be doing with that support. i feel very thankful that my children

are at home. i have two young children at home at the moment off school. their enthusiasm and energy and joy of life is really lifting me. that is a real positive, having them home. and i think that i am trying to search out different to support networks. i wanted to be able to go into some support centres face—to—face but that unfortunately is not the case. they are still running. i have been in contact with a lovely woman at breast cancer haven who has been supporting me all that we —— way through this. she called me before the surgery, after the surgery. and i'm hoping once this is over i can meet her face—to—face at some point in the future. so yeah, trying to get support where i can and taking joy in the family situation at home. and online sending messages to people and speaking to friends and family as much as i can on the phone and the ipad. listen, it's really wonderful to hear that. thank you

very much. naomi and peter. lovely to see the children having a positive impact on the situation she is in at the moment. when nurse leona harris noticed how lonely and isolated some of her covid—19 patients were, she decided to do something about it. she started a fundraising campaign which raised more than £30,000 in just one week, and has invested the money in tablets so that they can make video calls to their families. we can speak to leona now. good morning to you. good to speak to you. thank you forjoining us. tell us what you notice what people we re tell us what you notice what people were missing? so, i have been on a covid word from day one. they are not allowed any visitors. patients

are not allowed visitors. so patients are at their most vulnerable. when you are like that you want your family and your friends around you. which is why i decided to start fundraising, to raise money for ipads, tablets, so they could start face timing and connect with family and friends. ok. you started raising money. it's gone really well. how many ipads have you managed to get? i have managed to send out 70 ipads. and i am inundated. people asking me for more and more. do they each get their individual one that they can use, is that how it works? so i bought the 70 ipads and distributed them around hospitals around the country. but it's not enough. the water that i am currently working on has four separate bays. ideally we would like

one for every bay. but that isn't going to happen. i continue to fund raise and! going to happen. i continue to fund raise and i am raising more and more money but ijust need to raise some more so money but ijust need to raise some more so i can distribute further afield. we got nursing homes and hospitals. everybody needs that right now. when they can contact theirfamilies, what right now. when they can contact their families, what started to distance does it make? —— what sort of this —— difference does it make? it's priceless. the other day i was looking after a lady with dementia. patients only see people with masks on. all day. all those cr people's eyes. they don't see any facial expressions. the ipad i donated to the word was in use. i got my phone out and i contacted her family. i feel like i'm going to cry because the lady's reaction, the family's

reaction was unbelievable. her husband was crying all day. he had not spoken or seen his wife in three weeks. it's just not spoken or seen his wife in three weeks. it'sjust amazing. what difference just seeing someone even if you can't touch them? it's nice to talk. it's great to talk. but to actually see your loved ones makes a massive difference. the difference is unbelievable. and it reassures the family, rather than the staff saying they are ok, they can see that they are ok. it's just amazing. honestly. and it does it help you as well seeing them happier, i suppose? yeah. i mean, doctors, nurses, physios, everybody in the hospital, the domestic... they are working tirelessly. we are working 13 hour days. to see patients smile is everything that we want. we went

into thisjob to everything that we want. we went into this job to look after people. and itjust into this job to look after people. and it just lifts into this job to look after people. and itjust lifts morale. it'sjust amazing. i can't explain to you. do you know what? you have explained absolutely beautifully, actually. you are working on a covid word. absolutely beautifully, actually. you are working on a covid wordm has got to be tough? yeah, it's tough. but we hear a lot of negative press. there is a lot of negative things. it let me tell you, there is a lot of positive things as well. there's a lot of people going home. there's a lot of people going home. there's a lot of people surviving covid—19. and people out there need to know that. it's sad to hear people are passing away. but there isa people are passing away. but there is a lot of positive things as well. that's really interesting to hear. so you have seen success stories from where you are? absolutely. we've discharged so many people. they all get a round of applause as they leave. some have been in for two weeks. they are discharged

safely home. that is what we are trying to achieve here. and what about your family, how are they coping with you being on that kind of word micro? i'm a nurse and even i feel isolated. i can go to work andl i feel isolated. i can go to work and i can see people, i can go do my shopping, i can see people. i have two daughters, one is in liverpool at university, and she won't come home. she's decided to stay there because i am working with covid—19 patients. my other daughter is in manchester and i haven't seen her for ages. i have manchester and i haven't seen her forages. i have not manchester and i haven't seen her for ages. i have not seen my own family. that upsets me, that hurts me. so how do you think patients are feeling when they haven't seen any body for two, three weeks? it's heartbreaking, honestly. 0n the ipad is it easy for somebody to contact their relatives as well? yeah, it's fantastic. we set up face we have

usedit fantastic. we set up face we have used it all around the hospital. it's bringing joy to families and patients. it's an amazing thing. but obviously i... we will put it on our social media so people can go there and find it. you do an amazing job. in lots of different ways. thank you very much indeed for talking to us and the best of luck. you've done a great thing. thank you. thank you. what an amazing scheme, what a wonderful woman. can we have her on every day?! there are so many people out there like that. she's brilliant. 0ne out there like that. she's brilliant. one example of many people doing great work. you watch this programme every day and sometimes you have to do with some pretty grim news but there is some real positive stuff out there. absolute gems. she talks about celebrating every single person who leaves the hospital having been cured of coronavirus. that is why

there is such a brilliantjob being done by people like her and many other people on the front line as well. thank you for your incredible service. shall we catch up on the weather? matt is here. until there seems to be a better time, to see it in advance. good morning. 21 degrees yesterday. chile and a wet day,. we saw 22 millimetres, almost an inch of rain ina day, millimetres, almost an inch of rain in a day, before that only four millimetres of rain had fallen before that. there is more rain to come uk wide today, it will not rain every —— throughout the day. the weather front with as yesterday,

this one out to the south—west will bring heavier bursts of rain, pushing in england and wales with gusty winds. that will spread north and east in england and wales. a little bit of sunshine before it arrives, staying cloudy in the south of scotla nd arrives, staying cloudy in the south of scotland and northern england. wet in northern ireland, some of that rain will be heavy and it will return to the south of scotland. the north of scotland stays dry and bright after a chilly start. winds will pick up in the far south—west later, heavy showers return and not as chilly as it has been. all in all, it is as if we have hit restart on the computer and things have gone back to normal. hello, this is breakfast with dan walker and louise minchin a third of all coronavirus deaths in england and wales happen in care homes and from today, residents and staff in england

will be eligible for testing, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms. it's part of an expansion of who can register for a swab test, which now also includes anyone with symptoms who is over—65, or who needs to leave home to go to work. we're joined now from cornwall by the environment secretary, george eustice. cornwall by the environment thank cornwall by the environment you for being with us the thank you for being with us live on the programme this morning. let's start with the issue of testing and the announcement of a significant expansion. can you explain why this hasn't been done before now? we have been trying to expand tests over the past few weeks. we help capacity around 75,000 a day and that is close to the 100,000 target and we will get to that by the end of the week. it takes time to expand their capacity, we have opened drive—through centres so people do not have to travel too far. more opening later this week. a lot has

been done to do this. initially tests were prioritised in the nhs where you have people in direct contact with patients. wejudged it was critical we did that first. we are rolling these tests out right across key sector as including in ca re across key sector as including in care homes and including two important sectors like the food sector to help people get back to work. can i ask about access to these tests, slots are filling up very quickly on the online portal and people having to travel a long way to get to testing centres. how easy will it be for people who need those tests to get them. we are trying to get wide geographic coverage for these testing centres. at the weekend there were 31 of them, that is now up to 41 and i understand that there are dozens more coming on stream during the course of this weekend next week. so we are trying to get as wide

coverage as possible so people do not need travel far. i think it is very important to help people when they have got symptoms are showing symptoms that might be coronavirus to ascertain whether or not it is. so they can either work safely or stay at home to protect lives. that is critically important in the care home sector were sadly because people are more vulnerable, we are seeing a larger number of deaths.” wa nt to seeing a larger number of deaths.” want to talk about care homes in a moment. 0n the issue of testing, when the health secretary spoke about 100,000 tests at the start of the month by tomorrow, it wasn't about capacity, it was about actual tests. will that happen? i know that matt hancock wanted me yesterday to broaden this out wider, including the food industry. earlier in the week we said it was for critical

posts only, now that capacity is there and we have confidence in that... you are mentioning capacity, he mentioned 100,000 actual tests a day by tomorrow. we are up to over 50,000 tests a day. his aim was to get 100,000 tests getting done. the critical thing here is that anyone who feels they have a need for a test they can come and get one. that is why capacity also matters. if peoplejudge they is why capacity also matters. if people judge they need a test they can get one easily and that is why the first thing is to build capacity, the second thing is that people know they can get access to those tests and we are doing both of those tests and we are doing both of those things. a lot of the people are asking about the antibody tests. we heard a lot about that over the past few weeks, that was the focus in some of the daily briefings. it has gone quite on that front. where

are we with antibody test? there are are we with antibody test? there are a number of tests that have come forward. it would be a game changer if we could get an antibody test. bearing in mind often symptoms are similartoa cold, bearing in mind often symptoms are similar to a cold, they could be severe symptoms to people who are asymptomatic. having the test whether people have got it is important. there have been several in the market that have been assessed and are not considered effective or good enough to be able to be relied upon, and an inaccurate testis to be relied upon, and an inaccurate test is worse than no test at all. further work is being done in this space and when the government is able to with confidence nailed its colours to the mast and say test works. we will want to roll that out. look forward to that announcement in the next few days hopefully. we mentioned this

statistic, a third of deaths in care homes across the uk. we have heard repeatedly in this programme over a few days from care home workers pleading for a test. do you think the fact it has not been available since now has cost lives?” the fact it has not been available since now has cost lives? i don't think it is. we have been working very closely with the care sector. they have had very clear protocols in place that because those staff are dealing with a very vulnerable cohort, the elderly, and people with other conditions, if they are showing any symptoms at all, then they must not be at work and they must self—isolate. they have had very stringent protocols on hygiene, hand washing and other such things. so the care homes have worked very ha rd to so the care homes have worked very hard to try and prevent the spread of this. obviously testing does help and we are now able to roll that testing out. we have invited over 30,000 staff in care homes who think

they need a test to come forward and have that test on and we will be doing more in the days ahead. you said twice in this interview that obviously care homes are an area where there are vulnerable people. given that that is obvious, why is it now that at has taken up until now in this crisis for care homes to seemingly be a focus of government attention? that is what all the people we have spoken to on this programme over the past few weeks, that they have not been given the attention that front line nhs staff have been given. i don't accept that. we have been giving them attention and working with them on protocols and approaches they should ta ke to protocols and approaches they should take to prevent this virus getting into their care home settings. but it is also the case obviously that in the nhs you have people who are dealing day in day out with people who do have the symptoms and in some cases advanced symptoms of the virus. we have to make sure as a first priority that they have the

protection that they need and that because they are in a hospital setting, that they are also prioritised for tests. so in terms of approaching it, we have yes privatise the nhs to get the test, thatis privatise the nhs to get the test, that is right. but we are now rolling it out to all care home so that they can get a test today if they need one. —— yes prioritised. face masks is an interesting one to talk about this morning. you have seen the mayor of london considering unilateral action to protect train drivers, bus drivers and tube drivers, bus drivers and tube drivers in london. we have got scotland, the recommendation never covering your face in enclosed spaces. we have spoken to the british medical association calling on you the government to ask all of us on you the government to ask all of us to cover our mouths and noses when we go outside. what is the government advice this morning? can you bring is up—to—date on the covering of faces because i think

this is where there has been, there has been a lack of clarity, i think. i think there has been clarity. the public health england are sceptical about the value of facemasks. i think it is understood and the chief scientific adviser has made this clear that it may have some limited impact in terms of venting the disease being spread onwards. but it does not give protection to the wearer of the mask. —— of preventing. on that issue it might have a limited impact, the bma were saying a few days ago that that limited impact, however limited is worth it because it can save lives. i was going on to say that the other pa rt i was going on to say that the other part of the advice from the chief scientific adviser and others who have looked closely as this is it may have some value in enclosed spaces but limited value in the outdoor setting. i know scotland have taken a particular position on

theirs. their position has not changed for england but we do keep this under review. the committee have given some advice on the space, similarto have given some advice on the space, similar to what has been done before and that is being considered along other considerations around facemasks. you have to bear in mind, if the value is modest and limited to tell everybody they should have a face mask means you increase demand for facemasks face mask means you increase demand forfacemasks and face mask means you increase demand for facemasks and then potentially it means the those who really need it, those working in care home settings or in hospitals as we discussed earlier, will find it harder to get the protection they need. human -ish -- you mentioned that sage committee advice. what did they advise and why has that not been made public? look, i have not seen the advice but i think the

chief medical officer and the chief scientific adviser spoke openly about the limited benefits of face coverings and facemasks but also acknowledging that it could play a small role, particularly to prevent the virus being passed on and particularly in enclosed spaces where social distancing is harder. that has been talked about publicly, they have made that position clear. the guidance we have at the moment in england has not changed. we a lwa ys in england has not changed. we always keep these matters under review. what will the government's response ef the lord mayor of london asks train drivers, bus drivers and tube drivers to wear these masks? different businesses have taken different approaches. the food industry and supermarkets, while nine of them have required facemasks. you will see this if you go to facemasks. you will see this if you gotoa facemasks. you will see this if you go to a supermarket, they have made available facemasks to staff who feel they need them, either because

they have anxiety or they give a feeling of protection. different businesses have approached this in different ways and the will be bus drivers and train drivers who choose, or bus drivers in particular, who choose to have masks. it is for transport for london to make those decisions like other businesses have done. thank you for speaking to as this morning on the programme. inafew in a few minutes we will speak to someone who is helping with mental health will stop right now we will talk about sport. sally, so many people would like to have sport back. how will it come back? i've been telling you this week about the premier league's project restart, as clubs hope to return to action injune. tentative steps towards that being made already.

a leading doctor has told the bbc that should not be the focus. instead, the world health organisation advisor brian mccloskey says mass participation events, such as park runs and community sports, should be the first to resume. we can see tennis locally, cricket, golf, football, at a community level, getting off the ground sort of later this spring, early summer is possible if the epidemic keeps going the way we think it is. it's the bigger events that bring lots of people together that will be more challenging. but we need to think about getting sport back from the bottom up, and not from the top down. and actually, again that might be a good thing for sport as well. really interesting points there. the fiancee of murdered journalist jamal khashoggi has urged the premier league to block saudi arabia's potential takeover of newcastle united. the country's public investment fund, led by prince mohammed bin salman, look set to buy 80% of the club in a deal worth £300 million. however, kashoggi's fiancee says the deal shouldn't go ahead. western intelligence agencies believe the prince ordered the journalists death

inside saudi arabia's consulate in turkey two years ago. he denies this. we have been talking about looking forward to sport. what is it like if you are an athlete and you are missing your sport? there are fresh concerns over the next year's 0lympic and paralympic games being cancelled unless there's a vaccine for coronavirus. well, it leaves many potential athletes in a difficult position. great britain's ellie simmonds should have been in the middle of qualifying for her fourth paralympics around now, but the five time gold medalist has told us she's trying to focus on the positives. it's crazy that it's april time and we would have had trials, i think. at the time i was so mentally prepared, ready for it. now it's like, swimming has taken a back seat and i'm actually really enjoying just living and being with my family and having that, and putting safety and the people of our country first

before sport and before anything else. i think it's about us all coming together and getting over this as a country, and then slowly lockdown will end and we can have things to look forward to. ellie simmonds there. just the five gold medals. i'm sure there will be another one one day. she makes some good points. thank you. i have been thinking about what you said earlier, louise, about that idea of...i earlier, louise, about that idea of... i didn't say it on air but when you start a marathon you know it is going to end a 26.2 miles and that in many ways how to get there. sometimes i think if there is no end, particularly this week i don't know why get the feeling that it's for everybody. for lots of people because there is no end in sight. we are all in this race but we don't know where the finish line is. it's definitely not a race. to use your

analogy. the fashion retailer next says the repercussions from the coronavirus outbreak will be felt in the retail industry for longer than it first anticipated. sean has the details. good morning. iwas good morning. i was talking about airlines earlier saying they were expecting the recovery from this economic crisis to be harder than they thought before. now we are hearing from top retailers saying a similarthing. it hearing from top retailers saying a similar thing. it gives us an idea of what we as consumers might be thinking about in years to come as well. we have heard from next this morning. they have given us an update on what they've been doing and what they think will happen in the coming months. they say sales from the end of january two almost the end of april were down 40%. not surprising that sales were down. for most of that time stores were actually open. if you look at the three days before stores were closed, sales were already down 90%.

we had decided to stop shopping before we were told we can't. it has given more details this morning about how it is going to be continuing in the coming weeks. eventually it will start to reopen its stores. it will be that the larger out—of—town stores that it will first look to reopen. partly because of the bigger car parks, more space in store to put in the social distancing required as well. it is also expected stock wise, because so many retailers around the world have had stock issues, that is actually able to cancel more of its stock than it has had ordered. that will save it some money. that is not good news for suppliers who may have been expecting that money. all of theseissues been expecting that money. all of these issues retailers are having to deal with, particularly the stock around it warehouses they have not been able to sell. we have been speaking to some retailers about what they are going to do with their spring summer stock. they are sitting gathering

houses and where —— gathering dust in warehouses at the moment. some of them are looking at what they can push into next year, anything that is not a trend led. they will try to sell it next year. if they can't do that they will look at aggressively discounting the stock to clear it. if they can't get rid of it that way, they will look at some other options. 0ther options. other options they will have to explore because they say this morning, next, that that discounting probably won't be enough to shift the stock, however much they reduce the stock, however much they reduce the prices by. how we are changing the prices by. how we are changing the way we shop in the coming months, we are still not going to be as confident going in store as we would have. we have had these figures out this morning that have shown clothes prices have fallen more than they ever have gone on record and that is because of the stock being there and retailers trying to shift it. but it doesn't look like, if you listen to what next are saying this morning, that we are necessarily going to be queueing up to buy that stuff. that

isa queueing up to buy that stuff. that is a real issue for retailers on the high street. therefore the people working for them. 0ver high street. therefore the people working for them. over the coming months and probably well into next year. of course. thank you. it's more than five weeks since the uk went into lockdown, which has led to many of us feeling anxious and stressed about the situation. mental health charities have told bbc breakfast that they're seeing increasing numbers of people asking for help to cope with the pandemic, as tim muffett reports. for deborah, life can seem manageable then suddenly things change. you know, like, one minute i can be absolutely fine and then the next minute i am crying uncontrollably. so my mood is all over the place. pretty much it's just out of the blue. deborah has experienced mental health problems before but five weeks into that lockdown, this feels different. especially what my son does, you, know it can set me off crying. do you think five weeks into this lockdown things are getting better or are they getting worse for you?

for me personally, um, it is getting worse. trying to keep my son occupied, trying to maintain a normal life to him. i have been suffering panic attacks as well and they are actually quite scary. you know, like, istart shaking uncontrollably, start crying and breaking out into cold sweats. emma is a listening volunteer for the samaritans. the charity says one in three callers are saying the pandemic is one of the reasons they are seeking help. so very sadly, we're shut for our face—to—face visitors at the moment. but we are absolutely there for our callers by phone and e—mails. people are feeling very isolated and they are struggling and for some people this is a completely unknown, unprecedented situation. theyjust do not know how to feel.

meredith is an american student stranded alone in glasgow. i have had a couple of days where i can't stop crying. this might be a year of my life that i'll never be able to get back and a time in my life i will never be able to experience again. do you know when you are about to feel very low or does itjust come out of the blue? they definitely just sometimes come out of the blue. usually when a problem happens, you know when it is going to be over and you know you have something to look forward to but when you don't know what is going on, it is hard to be able to — i don't know — have hope for the future. staying connected and staying active can help but, as we try to keep our bodies healthy, many wonder how our minds will cope. tim muffett, bbc news. so many questions there. i am sure

many of us are going through similar things. we can now speak to muz brittain, who has been running a virtual mental health support group from his barbershop in somerset. good morning. i give forjoining us. why did you want to be involved in helping people with their mental health? the inspiration came from my wife, who gave me the idea to have a different direction in life. my son andl different direction in life. my son and i experienced some trauma with a friend dying whilst playing a sport. so we got ourselves in quite a low state of mind, needed to change, so the barbershop was a good opportunity to do something different and also give some support to the local community. and people who were suffering with any kinds of difficulties or struggles. it's been a great success. it's a good opportunity to give something back. so what happens, people come in and now they can have a place to talk?

yeah. it's all about providing a safe environment and not a judgmental environment for our customers and clients to come in and talk if they want to talk. they don't need to talk. it's alljust about listening. of course no you can't do that in person so what are you up to? that's right. a good friend of mine, leighton, who runs what was a drop—in session in the shop itself, he has had the inspiration to set up a weekly video co nfe re nce inspiration to set up a weekly video conference call. and we invite members of the community into talk and share ideas, positive ideas, or struggles they are having, and it's going really well. what other kind of common themes that come out from what you are talking about? it's largely about isolation. people are quite hard on themselves. i think people self analyse a lot at this time. the message really is don't be

too hard on yourself, give yourself a break and take the time to stop and listen to people. are people beginning to find their way through with your help? yeah, yeah. we had a session last night. and a member shared a really, really good idea to help in this time, especially with people with young families. he suggested that he wants his children to experience a positive from this time of isolation, so when he comes out of the other side he wants his young child to look at it as a positive experience rather than a negative and anxious time. that tends to keep in quite focused. there will be positives. as you say, you've mentioned family and spending time with family. what strikes me as well at the moment, where we are now, six weeks in, and with no end date, that is quite something for all of us to get our heads around,

isn't it? yes, yeah. it's important to try to keep routines. a little bit of mindfulness. my wife is always brilliant at reminding me there is beauty all around us all there is beauty all around us all the time when we go and our daily walks. she points out small things that take your mind off the bigger picture that is happening right now. and finally, we can't go without... yesterday we spent a lot of time talking about lockdown haircuts. you must be looking forward to sorting everybody out? yes. we are expecting a busy time in the first few weeks. in fact, there is a little social media club that all the local salons have got together and it is a positive thing. we are sharing ideas at this time which we have never done before. we are looking forward to opening back up. lovely to speak to opening back up. lovely to speak to you with lots of positive messages. thank you very much indeed. thank you. you can find can find tips on how to look after your mental health on the nhs every mind matters website.

the address is there but we will also put it on social media later. we will put it out for you so you can find it if you do need it. you we re can find it if you do need it. you were saying earlier that this has been the sunniest april on record? for a while. matt is the expert. good morning. yes, sunniest april on record here in the uk. things have changed. still some sunshine around. a lovely start in the north of scotland. a frosty start. many of us will get a boost from such an at times true today, i expect again for the spells of rain. a rather wet day yesterday. more rain to come. if we show you the big chart for the uk today, this is the weather front which was hanging around yesterday. still with us hanging around yesterday. still with us this morning. some patty light rain and drizzle. another weather front will bring some heavier rain. yes the rain will soften the ground, today's rain should soak in a bid. it is on the move northward and

eastward. reading through the first pa rt eastward. reading through the first part of this morning south west england, through wales, spreading north and east through england and wales. preceded may be by some sunshine. sit around wales. preceded may be by some sunshine. sitaround in wales. preceded may be by some sunshine. sit around in northern ireland for a good part of the afternoon. the signs and returns to wales, the north—west other parts of western england in the second half of the day. the far north of scotla nd of the day. the far north of scotland should stay bright throughout. winds from any reasonably light. gusty winds towards the south—west later. heavy and thundery showers returning later. temperatures up on what we saw yesterday, particularly in the midlands. this evening and overnight patchy rain in scotland. then heavier bursts working their way north and east. hanging around for an hourortwo north and east. hanging around for an hour or two before something drier follows in its an hour or two before something drierfollows in its wake. it won't stop temperatures from dropping way too much. another cool night. most places it should be frost free. into thursday low pressure is firmly across western europe. that means

some rain clouds that will never be too far away. tomorrow it will be wet in central scotland. to the north, sunshine, to the south the chance of heavy and thundery showers. slow moving where winds are lightest. plenty of showers in the odd rumble of thunder. gale force winds in southern counties of england. temperatures on thursday around ten to 14 degrees. fairly similarto around ten to 14 degrees. fairly similar to where we should be at the time of the year. on friday, more on the way of dry weather. there will be some showers. more likely to be in the west. they could be heavy and thundery. 0ne in the west. they could be heavy and thundery. one or two elsewhere. all of us should see a little leased a little bit of sunshine. temperatures picking up by a degree or so. headlines next.

good morning. welcome to breakfast with dan walker and louise minchin. 0ur headlines today... millions more people will be able to get tested for coronavirus from today, including all staff and residents of care homes. the debate over whether to wear masks in public — scotland becomes the latest country to recommend covering yourface in shops and public transport. the united states reaches a grim milestone as the number of cases of coronavirus passes a million. and in sport, a leading health advisor warns football is getting it wrong by trying to restart the premier league amid the global pandemic.

it's wednesday, 29th april. our top story... the government has announced plans for millions more of us to be able to book a test for coronavirus from today. all over—65s and anyone who needs to leave home to go to work will be eligible, if they have symptoms of covid—19. other members of their household who become ill can also apply online. care home residents and staff in england, are also being offered tests — even if they are showing no signs of the virus. dan johnson reports. this is liz kemp, a grandmother who died in a care home but didn't previously feature in the daily death figures. her family said staff did all they could in herfinal days but they'd been unable to stop the virus reaching her. she was in st cecilia's nursing home in scarborough, where they locked down early. but across the three homes in the group, they still saw 11 deaths, four of them definitely linked to coronavirus. this is the area we will have for

anyone that's been barrier nursed. liz was one of more than 4,000 who've died since easter but haven't so far been recorded in the official daily figures. they show there were another 586 deaths from covid—19, bringing the total across the uk to 21,678. from today, all care home deaths will be included in that figure. as late as mid—march, public health england was advising that people receiving care were unlikely to be affected and things should carry on as normal even if staff showed symptoms. the government's been accused of not doing enough to protect the most vulnerable people. it's been a focus from the start and we've strengthened the rules around what happens in care homes and improved infection control. and also making testing available right throughout the care sector, ithink, is incredibly important as we've ramped up the availability of testing.

so now across england, all care home residents and staff will be eligible for a test regardless of symptoms. these mobile sites, manned by the army should help, but availability is still a major frustration. and now over—65s and their families, along with anyone in a household with someone going out to work, will be able to apply online for a test if they're showing symptoms. repeated promises have also been made to deliver enough of the equipment staff need to keep themselves safe. away from care homes, there are more questions about wearing masks or face coverings. scotland's first minister said there could be some benefit and recommended them for enclosed spaces, like public transport and shops. that's a move away from the uk government's position. we are also concerned that some people are infected, who don't have symptoms or maybe dont have symptoms yet, and that is the reason that sage has put so much effort into looking at this question.

but the answer is clear that the evidence is weak and the effect is small. there's a call not to wear masks needed by medics and a reminder that a face covering doesn't replace the lockdown rules. whatever the advice are becoming more common as we all work out the reality of living with the virus. dan johnson, bbc news. we're joined now from westminster by our political correspondent jonathan blake. we know there are more tests being rolled out. the government have promised to hit their target of 100,000 tests a a day by tomorrow. if they do not make it how significant is that? minutes to spare they are still confident. the deadline is tomorrow. the latest 24—hour period shows 42,000 tests we re 24—hour period shows 42,000 tests were done with capacity for around 70,000. the government is expanding

the criteria for those eligible for tests to those working and living in ca re tests to those working and living in care homes, anyone over 65 or anyone who as to leave the house if you have symptoms is now eligible to get a coronavirus test. those figures show even if the ability of their two test 100,000 people within 24 hours, it does not necessarily mean it will be achieved. we will have to wait until saturday to see if this target has been met. the government will try to point to the big increase in testing capacity is a significant achievement, whether the target is met or not. on that strategy, we have been hearing from the environment secretary this morning, who has denied the decision from the government to prioritise testing for nhs staff meant those working and living in care homes lost out. they have had very stringent protocols on hygiene, hand washing, and other such things. our homes have worked very hard to try

to prevent the spread of this. —— ca re to prevent the spread of this. —— care homes. we are able to roll the testing out. we have invited over 30,000 staff in care homes who think they need a test to come forward and had that test done and we will be doing more in the days ahead. that opportunity for testing will not happen soon enough for those working in care homes where he we had heard from in recent days and weeks about the difficulty of that situation. this testing strategy is important because the government will need to show from here on that it has a reliable and robust infrastructure protesting in place if it is to be able to track and trace those who have suffered from and are suffering with the virus has a way of potentially containing it in future. thank you. the number of coronavirus cases in the united states has now passed one million — nearly a third of the world's total. that includes more than 57,000 deaths, which is now more than the number of americans who were killed

in the vietnam war. 0ur north america correspondent peter bowes reports. two grim milestones highlighting the devastating impact of covid—19 on the united states. more than a million cases under the 58,000 people killed by the virus, which surpasses the number of americans who died over nearly two decades in vietnam. and the outbreak is far from over. one of the white house's senior medical advisers has warned that covid—19 could re—emerge later in the year. it is not going to disappear from the planet, which means as we get into next season, in my mind it is inevitable that we will have a return of the virus, or maybe it never even went away. at a meeting with small business owners, echoing comments he made in february, president trump said he was optimistic that the number of cases would ultimately go down to zero. you never know about a vaccine.

tremendous progress has been made — johnson &johnson and oxford. lots of good things. you have been hearing the same things as i do. tremendous progress has been made, we think, on a vaccine. you always have to say think and then you have to test it and that takes a period of time. in the meantime, much of the country is at a standstill with stay—at—home orders in force until at least the middle of may. 26 million americans have lost theirjobs during the pandemic. the us commerce department is expected to report later that gross domestic product suffered a steep drop in the first quarter of the year with the economy shrinking by up to 4%. it will be the biggest decline in economic activity since the great recession over a decade ago. and there is much worse to come over the coming months, since the virus did not begin to impact the us economy until late—march. the president trump remains optimistic.

—— but president trump. it is going to come back very fast. now that our experts believe the worst days of the pandemic are behind us, americans are looking forward to the safe and rapid reopening of our country. on a trip to a medical centre in minnesota, mike pence thanked health workers and researchers for their efforts during the pandemic. but his visit was overshadowed by his decision to ignore the hospital's rules that all visitors should wear face masks. the vice president said he was not concerned about spreading the virus because he tested negative several times for covid—19. revised plans to mark the 75th anniversary of ve day have been announced. the coronavirus outbreak means the usual street parties and parades cannot go ahead. the queen will instead make a special address to the nation and people will be encouraged to join a doorstep sing along to dame vera lynn's wartime anthem, we'll meet again. and finally,

you might have heard us talking in the last hour to an incredible frontline nhs nurse who is going above and beyond for her patients. when leona harris noticed how lonely and isolated some of her covid—19 patients were, she decided to start afundraising campaign. she's raised more than £30,000 in just one week, and has invested the money in tablets so that they can make video calls to their families. leona told breakfastjust how much of a difference the tablets were making to her patients. the other day i was looking after a lady with dementia. you've got to remember that patients only see people with masks on every day. all they see is people's eyes, they don't see any facial expressions. the ipad that i'd donated was in use, so i got my phone out and i contacted her family. i feel like i'm going to cry, because the lady's reaction, the family's reaction was unbelievable. her husband was crying all day. he hadn't spoken or seen his

wife for three weeks. lots of you have been looking at the just giving site. you have put it on social media as well. there are people out there making a huge difference, aren't there? if you're a key worker, over 65, or have to leave home to do yourjob and you or anyone in your household has symptoms of covid—19, you're now eligable to register for a coronavirus swab test. there are 41 drive—through testing centres in the uk and 17 army—run mobile units, but will this be enough as testing becomes available to more of us? we'rejoined now from south london by professorjohn newton, who is the national testing coordinator for the department of health. good morning to you. thank you for joining us. let's be clear, where are we today with testing? how many people could be tested today? we have done really well with building capability to do the testing in this

country. it has been a phenomenal achievement. up to 72,000 tests a day can be done. there are plans to increase that even further. getting people access to these tests is what matters and we have made a big change in opening up access to data a wider group through these new centres that you mentioned. will it be 100,000 by tomorrow? we are very confident we can do 100,000. the amount of work that has gone into achieving this is simply phenomenal. i would like to mention nhs laboratories at yesterday the nhs had done 500,000 swab tests for coronavirus, a huge achievement. in addition we have built new laboratories outside the nhs providing additional capacity and we have partners involved. we are very confident. we have also importantly, he mentioned the new categories. if people are over 65 with symptoms or

someone in a household oil they are one of the workers who cannot work from home and had out and have symptoms, if we are e very confident. we have also importantly, he mentioned the new categories. if people are over 65 with symptoms or someone in the household oil they are one of the workers who cannot work from home and had to go out and have symptoms, if they go to the they can find out how to get a test was that there are a number of ways, including getting one sent to your home. what practical difference does it mean to people? presumably they find out whether or not they have coronavirus and they can return to work more quickly? if you are a worker, symptoms that are not coronavirus, as the incidence of coronavirus, as the incidence of coronavirus balls, you know you can go to work safely. a negative test is they can find out how to get a test was that there are a number of ways, including getting one sent to your home. what practical difference does it mean to people? presumably they find out whether or not they have coronavirus and they can return to work more quickly? if you are a worker, symptoms that are not coronavirus, as the incidence of coronavirus, as the incidence of coronavirus balls, you know you can go to work safely. a negative test is not indication you are free of

the virus. it is very important to protect the most vulnerable people at home. having a test does help people in the household and the themselves. 0ne people in the household and the themselves. one of every day we will know how many people had died from coronavirus in the care homes. what do you think we will learn from that? we have always known there have been cases in care homes and we have been cases in care homes and we have been cases in care homes and we have been investigating outbreaks, dealing with outbreaks. we had tested 25,000 residents of care homes already. social distancing has reduced themselves. 0ne every day we will know how many people had died from coronavirus in the care homes. what do you think we will learn from that? we have always known there have been cases in care homes and we have been cases in care homes and we have been cases in care homes and we have been investigating outbreaks, dealing with outbreaks. we have tested 25,000 residents of care homes already. social distancing has reduced the spread of but in care homes it is more difficult. there are pockets of infection is in pair homes. it is about identifying these outbreaks in dealing with them. the additional testing capacity, also for asymptomatic residents and asymptomatic staff in pair homes will help as well. do you think we will help as well. do you think we will get a better indication of what has been going on in care homes? we

will. what we have discovered already the presence of symptoms is not such a good guide in care homes as to the presence of the virus. there is something about low level of infection over a period. we have done studies already and we are doing further study is that we know it is important to test a wider group in care homes than it would be in the community. white it could be many more people have died with coronavirus than we know. —— many more people have died with coronavirus than we know. -- it could but in care homes it is more difficult. there are pockets of infections in pair homes. it is about identifying these outbreaks and dealing with them. the additional testing capacity, also for asymptomatic residents and asymptomatic staff in pair homes will help as well. do you think we will help as well. do you think we will get a better indication of what has been going on in care homes? we will. what we have discovered already the presence of symptoms is not such a good guide in care homes as to the presence of the virus. there is something about low level of infection over a period. we have done studies already and we are doing further studies but we know it is important to test a wider group

in care homes than it would be in the community. it could be many more people have died with coronavirus than we know. —— it people have died with coronavirus than we know. -- it i am not sure. without having the testing capacity we have now, it was more difficult to be certain. doctors have always been able to put coronavirus on a death certificate if they thought that was because, even without a test. there will be some deaths we have not accounted for but i do not think the increase will be as big as some people expect. we will find out later. people be tested? will you send them into for residents of thousands of care homes staff have been to dried in centres. we are sending swabs tens of thousands of ca re sending swabs tens of thousands of care homes staff have been to drive in centres. we are sending swabs directly to they can be sent back in a bunch, the satellite model. also we have the pop—up centres, the mobile testing centres that can they can be sent back in a bunch, the satellite model. also we have the p°p‘up satellite model. also we have the pop—up centres, the mobile testing centres that can visit care home and set up there and test staff and residents. we will get the testing out ina residents. we will get the testing out in a number of ways. these tests will see if you have coronavirus right now. what about the antibody tests to see if you have had it? how close are we to those? care home and set up there and test staff and

residents. we will get the testing out ina residents. we will get the testing out in a number of ways. these tests will see if you have coronavirus right now. what about the antibody tests to see if you have had it? how close are we swab testing has increased and we have been developing new tessa ways to get the test to people. there has been a lot of development. the uk's they have been working with industrial partners and another people have good candidate antibody tests. they are being tested and we are confident we will have antibody test when we need it, which is later in the progress of the pandemic. not many people with antibody test when we need it, which is later in the progress of the pandemic. not many people would test they be ready? people who are developing then are talking about having test available end of may, earlyjune. we had to wait and see. this is innovation. there are antibody tests available now that we think there is a possibility of getting a better test and we do not want to roll it out

yet. there is a way to test people at home. the rapid test consortium has an exciting method of getting a finger prick test done at home and the lead in the laboratory to be tested in the laboratory. there is a lot of innovation in the pipeline which will be really helpful. thank you for your time this morning. the debate over whether to wear masks in public continues today — after scotland became the latest country to recommend covering your face in shops and public transport. let's speak to professorjason leitch, national clinical director for the scottish government, who is in glasgow. can you explain from your perspective, you said masks in a population do not work. why have you changed your opinion on this?l

couple of things have happened. we are couple of things have happened. we a re often couple of things have happened. we are often wrong. size changes, circumstances in which we give advice moves on. two things have happened. there is limited that definite small pieces of evidence that there may be more asymptomatic spread than we thought. this virus is only four months old and did not exist. every day and there are papers published, i have never seen science move at this pace in all my career. there is some evidence of asymptomatic spread. we know the virus has spread by virus in droplets. the other thing that has happened is people have started to wear face coverings, so they are kind and ahead of us. we wanted to put out advice that put face coverings into perspective and make sure they were being used safely because there is strong evidence is not face coverings, the strong

evidence is hand washing, social distancing, physical distancing when you are out, stay at home and only go out for essential business. if you are in a crowded area, like shops, maybe small shops which could not quite socially distance as well, there is some evidence you may gain some benefit to protect others by wearing a cloth face gathering. you talk about emerging evidence, which is what the british medical association were telling us earlier this week. i am sure you have heard that hancock telling the evidence for face covering measures week. would you agree that it is weak or is it important and that is why scotla nd is it important and that is why scotland have made the recommendations? it is both of those things. one thing we are learning during the pandemic is they are learning that evidence is not always the same thing. we know for sure washing hands gets rid of the virus.

high level, level one evidence is what we call it in scientific circles. publications on that are vast. this is not level one evidence. this is small scale. the virus has only existed for a little while. we are using science of what happens when you sneeze or cough but there is some evidence now that some of the cases we are seeing appear to be from asymptomatic spread. therefore, if it is safe to do it, then we have decided to do it. however, we have some pretty rigid guidelines about how you should do it, they should not touch your face, he should wash your hands when you put it on and wash your hands when you take it off and wash their face covering itself. it is important that we do not think it makes you safer so that you suddenly do not have to do the other things. it does not make you special. you are still

at risk and you had to stay at home u nless at risk and you had to stay at home unless you have to leave the house. —— you have. unless you have to leave the house. -- you have. one concern about face coverings as people might feel they are coverings as people might feel they a re protected coverings as people might feel they are protected and can do as they want. the other, the use of face coverings or face masks would then ta ke coverings or face masks would then take that away from those on the front line. we are very clear you should not wear a medical grade face mask. there was not any evidence that that would protect you any more than what we are suggesting in the circumstances we are suggesting it. let's remember the basics. i know your viewers know the basics. stay at home unless you had to leave, wash your hands on the way out and wash your hands on the way out and wash your hands well for 20 seconds. and keep a safe distance when you are out, and that safe distance is two metres. if you cannot do that thenit

two metres. if you cannot do that then it may be on public transport or in shops. public transport in scotla nd or in shops. public transport in scotland is empty, pretty much empty. as we come out of these kurds, these elements of our lives may get busier. if you think you cannot socially distance, where a face covering and do it safely. you do not need to do it walking around for exercise and we are not making it mandatory that we may follow the evidence, follow their science, we may change that. i want to ask about testing. we talked a lot, speaking to the environment secretary, talked a lot about the uk government testing target of 100,000 tests by tomorrow. the daily scottish target was 3500 and the latest figures we have our 1137, that was sunday into monday stop how much of a drive is there in scotland to get the testing

figures up to target? there is a big drive. notjust for figures up to target? there is a big drive. not just for numbers, figures up to target? there is a big drive. notjust for numbers, their testing is for a reason and we had to use it will evidence based purposes. —— beta testing. we have expanded those who can get tested, both in scotland and in airport drive centres. we are very confident we will get to the 3500 and our capacity will be beyond 3500. we are going to use testing with science. we are going to say, this is where we should start and these are the areas we should expand. we are going to test all over 70 admissions. the high—risk group we are particularly worried about, before they go to hospital, where they or asymptomatic and we will continue to expand that testing with capacity developing and we will change the nature of on the

outward curve of counter measures. really good to talk to you. national clinical directorfor really good to talk to you. national clinical director for the scottish government. helen davison is a former gp and a green party councillor from the campaign group "masks for all". good morning and thank you for joining us. do you mean masks or face coverings? we are meaning face coverings for all. maybe the title is slightly deceptive. we are talking very much about cloth face coverings that people put on. one thing just from listening to your previous speaker is the key message and the key reason for doing this and the key reason for doing this and wearing these masks is to protect other people. this is not about protecting ourselves. there are two reasons for wearing a mask.

health care professionals and front line staff need to wear masks to protect other people and they need good quality, high grade clinical masks for that. what we are talking about is preventing what we breathe out or cough out or sneeze out heading towards somebody else. for that, all you need is a simple face covering. what sort of thing are you talking about? it can be as simple as things we had in the household. you can make one out of a handkerchief or a scarf and a couple of elastic bands. you can use a scarf you have, or you can make... a lot of people out there are making simple stone cloth masks. there are loads of people in the community making all these already and it is something very straight forward.” think you have an example. there are loads of questions. if you do wear

it, presumably there are health and safety issues, things to consider, aren't there? absolutely. as your previous speaker was saying, you need to be careful about how you put on and take off the mask, particularly ta ke on and take off the mask, particularly take off the mask. it could be someone who is not wearing one has potentially contaminated the outside of your mask. it requires good mask hygiene. i could show you how i make a simple mask out of a handkerchief and i could also show you how to take that off. keep talking while you do it, if you plan. i am just talking while you do it, if you plan. i amjust going talking while you do it, if you plan. i am just going to turn my camera down a bit so you can see what i am doing. what i have here is a decent sized cloth handkerchief. what i'm going to do is fold it into the middle. ifold it into the

middle. can you see what i am doing? yes, carry on. ifilled the next middle. can you see what i am doing? yes, carry on. i filled the next bit into the middle, the other side. i felt then expect again and fold into the middle. then i am going to take a couple of hair bands i have got, you can use elastic bands or head bubbles, whatever you have in the house. i'm going to put one on one end and! house. i'm going to put one on one end and i put one on the other end stop ok. and then i fold over into the centre and i fold either into the centre and i fold either into the centre and i fold either into the centre again. just tack that in. iamjust the centre again. just tack that in. i am just going to put the camera app again and slip the mask on, so that you can see. we had jason saying this is not level one

evidence. this is quite a change if you are asking people to do this, isn't it? it is a change but people have started doing this, head of the government in doing this. i was a former public health doctor rather than gp. having worked in public health, what is looked at is really good quality evidence like randomised controlled trials. this isa randomised controlled trials. this is a population health measure. the actual measure itself is very low risk and there good evidence from countries who have implemented this that there curves have not taken off in the same way that ours had done. check —— the czech republic is a good example of this. we would say it isa good example of this. we would say it is a really good measure. 0ur overall messages my mask protects

you and your mask protects me. a lot of people will be discussing lead over the next few weeks. after the sunshine, normal spring service has resumed. there will be some sun around, but cloudy with more wet weather to come. we still have the remnants of yesterday front producing rain in the east. some heavier rain sweeping northwards across the country today. even if it is dry and bright with you, can't guarantee it will stay that way. some rain in south west england and wales and that will spread northwards and eastwards, sit for a while across northern ireland. some sunshine in the afternoon in wales and the south west and the midlands. temperatures will be higher across these areas. gusty winds in the

south—west before showers return. temperatures nearer where they should be for this time of year. in south—east scotland and north—east england you may not get into double figures. another batch of wet weather. several systems bringing rain at times during the next 24 hours. the winds will be up enough to stop temperatures dropping. if you see a frost it will be in western scotland. tomorrow with low pressure in charge, a story of april showers for many, particularly england and wales and northern ireland and more per —— persistent rain in scotland. normal service has been resumed. thank you. i like a few showers for the plants in the garden. exactly. it isjust after

8.30. hello, this is breakfast with dan walker and louise minchin the planned street parties and parades to mark the 75th anniversary of ve day can't go ahead next week of course. instead the queen will mark the occasion with a televised address to the nation. we'll be speaking to some of those finding new ways to celebrate the event in just a moment, but first let's look back on how people over the decades have celebrated the historic moment when the guns fell silent at the end of the second world war in europe. this is the bbc home service. we're interrupting programmes to make the following announcement. an official announcement will be broubg by the prime minister at three o'clock tomorrow, tuesday afternoon, eighth may. hostilities will end officially at one minute after midnight tonight. the german war is therefore at an end. we may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing. today is victory in europe day.

# blue skies smiling at me... # nothing but blue skies # do i see!#

we are replacing street parties and parades with acts of remembrance from our own homes, but i hope, 75 years later, particularly with the added poignancy of recent events, that we can come together as a nation and mark this historic occasion. we're joined now by rachel gerred—hart in penryn who is organising a virtual ve day celebration, and bob gamble from the royal british legion, who is in winchester. good morning, thank you for being on the programme. rachael, tell us in the programme. rachael, tell us in the first instance what did you have planned for ve day and how have you

had to change things around? penryn, the town council had arranged a massive street party and many events throughout the town. of course this has been postponed. my friend and i feel this needs to be commemorated and we have taken our event online through our facebook page. what are you doing instead? we are going to have a virtual party to xhem —— commemorate. we will kick off at three with the nation's toast and have a broadcast of our standard bearer and the full two minutes silence, national anthem and into two and a half hours of... live, interactive kind of garden party. bob, plans have had to change, you presumably have been hard at work,

what do you want everybody to do on the day? well, i think rachael's pretty much hit the nail on the head for the second aspect, which is bringing communities together. i don't think, from a national perspective, it would be appropriate if we started in any other way than with a moment of remembrance, to rememberall with a moment of remembrance, to remember all those that died in world war two. both overseas and at home. so there will be a two minute silence, led by the duke of cambridge and we will ask people to just stand at the window, stand at their door, go into their garden and mark that time, that loss and that generation that involves people who are very close to all our families, grandfathers, fathers and then at three o'clock, like rachael, we will be seeing a bbc programme covering

the churchill speech, the prince of wales and reminding people how fantastic that day and in the evening the bbc and the british legion are working together on a programme of stories from veterans, stories of time and songs of a time and a moment with the queen. over the day, we will have paid our respects and then we will have shared in the joy and probably as important as all, shown the generation that is still with us, that we all feel so deeply passionate about that, we still rememberall passionate about that, we still remember all that they did for us. it isa remember all that they did for us. it is a huge programme of events, it will of course feel very different, but that doesn't mean to say it has to be any less important, does it? no, not at all. of course we are reaching out in a variety of ways and particularly for the young so, that they have some understanding of all that went on and why it is important now. the royal royal

british legion and in penryn and elsewhere, there are significant virtual programmes. ours starts after the two minute silence. if people want to go on the legion web—site, they can get some context to what happened and why it means so much. we know we are going to be asked to have a sing along, are you excited about that? absolutely. our group, we have doorstep voices events and these are events that have been helped and we sing cornwall for home and about 6,000 people join in. we are building on what we have already had to create a doorstep sing song with the hummingbirds, or one of the hummingbirds, or one of the hummingbirds, because they can't all perform. and that will be song at five o'clock from the doorstep and hopefully as many people as possible

to get involved and sing along. bob, in yourjob, you work with a lot of vetera ns, in yourjob, you work with a lot of veterans, i wonder how they are feeling and preparing for what will bea feeling and preparing for what will be a very different day? well, yeah, i think that is important that we just consider that. i i think that is important that we just considerthat. i mean, we had 1,100 veterans that the royal british legion was bringing to london for the main events that were planned since d—day last year. we have helped them manage some of the disappointment that they were cancelled. but they and others and the people in care homes around the country and people in social isolation, we are doing our best with other charities and associations to make sure they're all primed, ready for today and they get the most out of the day next friday, eighth may, because i think it is important they are seen as the focal point of the day and that the communities, rather as rachael described, gatheraround communities, rather as rachael described, gather around to make them feel special. thank you both

for joining them feel special. thank you both forjoining us. it sound like you will have an amazing day. it will be a lot of fun in penryn. we'll be talking to the historian dan snow injust a minute about his exciting plans to teach children about that moment in history. first let's take a look at how he brought ve day celebrations to our living rooms five years ago. today is victory in europe day. music: we'll meet again. 70 years ago today at 3pm, the nation stood still. people gathered around wireless sets to listen to a broadcast from the prime minister, winston churchill.

he announced that victory had come at last. the second world war in europe was over. for nearly six years, there had been intense fighting. around 60 million lives had been lost. few people on earth had not been touched in some way by the second world war. now, 70 years on, in about half an hour, there will be a service of commemoration at the cenotaph in whitehall. it will be 70 years to the moment since churchill's famous broadcast. dan joins us now. that was an amazing way to look back. things have changed, we will have to do it differently and you're pa rt have to do it differently and you're part of that. i have to say i wasn't expecting that clip and i feel it very sad, seeing those people and the way we used to gather, that has

been the challenge of this commemoration is that i have been talking to the government for months and the whole excitement was to try and the whole excitement was to try and bring britain together physically and pay our respects to that generation and give thanks for everything that we have enjoyed since. and we have had to do the opposite and the government, everything has changed and it is bringing ve and vj day to people in their homes, so it is remotely. bob from the british legion talked about the importance of remembering this for the next generation and you're involved with some live lessons and online material for children. involved with some live lessons and online materialfor children. what are you doing? we have had to reimagine everything and we are trying to make the best of everything. the government has launched a wonderful web—site, ve—vj day 75 and we are enurging young people —— encouraging young people to send in art, a video or a news

report from the time, pictures, interviews with their grandparents and we are going to be broadcasting that on my, i have got a live show, on time line channel on youtube, the biggest history challenge and we —— channel and we go three times and week and we will broadcast that user—generated content and talking to people all over the world. we get watched at one in the morning in australia. we are trying to make sure people if they want to at home they have a lot of information and see what is going on elsewhere and in penryn and that is great fun. we have other organisations involved like ancestry, the family history web—site, that will be free. my channel is free for the whole month. we are trying to encourage people. there is so much we can do and we

have nice moments, we go in the garden and sing we'll meet again. have nice moments, we go in the garden and sing we'll meet againm is interesting the lessons we can learn, given what we are going through now from people of that generation actually?” through now from people of that generation actually? i spent a lot of time in the company of those people and i can't speculate on whether it is related to covid, but a lot of my network has been buzzing, a lot of those older veterans and survivors of the war are passing on, whether that is their age or whether it is coronavirus—related i'm not sure, we saw the death of dr bill franklin, the oldest surviving prisoner of war from the far east. spending time with him, he was 108 and he was still working as a doctor writing

scientific papers past his 100th birthday. i took my daughter to meet him and! birthday. i took my daughter to meet him and ijust, it is the greatest blessing i have meeting those people. johnnyjohnson the last british dambuster. it is a chaps for the national spotlight to be turned on those men and women and hear about their experiences and what they have learned over decades on this planet. you mentioned penryn, what have you got planned to mark the day? i'm going to be on that bbc programme you saw mentioned at three o'clock, the timing of winston churchill's famous address and whitehall was packed and he said we must allow ourselves a moment of celebration, but we still have to complete the war against japan and i'm on the one show that night. five years ago we had a massive street

party. but it is great we are not going to take this lying down and do our best to make sure we commemorate this special anniversary and it is another chance to tip our hats to that remarkable generation, who we have been talking about with captain tom and there is a lot of life left in that generation yet.” tom and there is a lot of life left in that generation yet. i think it is £29 million and his 100th birthday tomorrow. i said you're passionate about history and so passionate about history and so passionate about history and so passionate about passing it on to the younger generations too? well, i'm lucky, i think i have got the bestjob in the word and i get to go to historical places and go to a mine that is flooded full of german equipment and dive down. it is incredibly rewarding, i have a live

stream and i'm talking to... the technology is amazing, like you being able to interview people. i can interview the world expert on the mya. and australians and others asking questions. i love to pass on the fascinating things. at times of great crisis like now, people are focussed on history, because they wa nt focussed on history, because they want to know, what happened after the pandemic and david lloyd george was flat on his back and needed assistance in breathing, because he got the flu in 1918. people want to know that the ministry of health was founded after the great influenza of 1918 to start a national approach to health. people want to know about history at the moment, because we are living through history. one of the thins we have enjoyed about the

lockdown is seeing what is going on behind you. three questions. are they all history books. is that a sheu they all history books. is that a shell behind your shoulder and how big that is tankard? let's do this properly. brilliant. they're all history books. this is great, the latest book about hitler. i don't get the chance to. that is a massive tankard. one of my few 1997, marlow amateur regatta. you've got to keep the trophies. high school hero, life zero, that is me. thank you for that tour of your office. thanks, guys. brilliant. we should say captain tom, who we mentioned the 100th

birthday, make sure you're watching tomorrow. we have some surprises lined up for him. a student nurse who spent weeks in a coma after contracting coronavirus said there were tears of joy when she finally went home and saw her children. natasha jenkins, who is 35 and has three children, spent 22 days on a ventilator after falling sick just before mother's day. nick palit has been speaking to her. let them go by where you are, i think? panting reunited with her children, natasha jenkins' back home in barry after a battle with covid—19 that saw her in a coma for 22 days. wheezing while talking i was the youngest person in the hospital to have it. and i think people, i think a lot of people were thinking only older people were getting it. and i don't why how i caught it. i don't know how i caught it. but i'm 35—years—old and it's like i'm currently disabled at the moment. even though she's been discharged from hospital,

it's going to be a long road to recovery, possibly up to a year. she's very weak and relatives have had to move into help her in the house. but natasha is just thankful to be alive. my kids were my main priority. i was terrified. i thought — in my head i thought i was going to die and i knew ijust needed to get home and see my children. heartbreaking, scary, especially to think i could have left them without a mum. natasha is a student nurse and had recently completed a placement at the university hospital of wales, only to return as a patient on itu. the care and treatment she's had has made her all the more determined to return to nursing herself. a lot of people are scared with the way things they are at the moment. but after what they've done for me, i would like to give something back.

that gives you a sense of longer term impact. rainbows on windows and the thursday night clap for our carers have all become part of lockdown life. well now we've got the chance to show our appreciation for some of our other key workers — our posties. as adam mcclean reports. these postal workers in lancashire are among those delivering to more than 29 million addresses across the country every day. with an increase in demand as people stay at home, they're working harder than ever. there's massive public appreciation for all key workers, and postal workers are not exempt from that. we've seen the thumbs—up initiative from customers, so we've seen kids on the street with the thumbs up to the posties, which they really appreciate. we've had gifts, we've had letters sent in, cards — it's been overwhelming, the amount of support we've had from the public.

it's busier than christmas. some people ask me from time to time, why are you guys not sort of at home, like us? especially the elderly. we say, well, we can't, because we've got to get people's stuff out. royal mail are seeing much higher than usual sickness absence due to illness and self isolation. but the staff at this delivery office say they're here for the uk. royal mail is an institution of the uk and we will always be here to keep the country moving. and that's why we are key workers and we are working on the front line. and we just ask you to stay home, keep safe and protect our front line workers so they can keep getting the essential items that you need, to you. many postal workers have been hearing just how valued they are, with some leaving refreshments on the doorstep. a simple thumbs—up, like i said, on the street is all they need. and that can make their day. 0rjust saying thank you and drop my parcel off at the door. from sweet treats, to the games of hopscotch and the odd challenge of noughts and crosses,

people across the country are asking their posties to wait a minute while they say thank you. # wait, wait a minute mr postman # wait a minute, mr postman...# adam mcclean, bbc news. we'rejoined now by karren dean, who started a game of noughts and crosses for her children play with their postie andrew spall. he also joins us and we can speak to them both now. thanking to you all. lovely to speak to you. karen i saw when max heard that on the telly, he was like yes, whose idea was the noughts and crosses. it was one of the early days of lockdown, because we can't go out and say the usual hellos to the postman and the children can't go out either, we thought we will put some noughts and crosses on our window and see if he joins in.

andrew what sort of a difference does that make to you, doing your work? that is the highlight of your day, give you something else to look forward to, playing games with the kids. have you won many of the games. i've definitely won more than i've lost! max, how does it work, you put out the grid and who put it is first nought or cross, is it you? i think the first one is... me. and then after that round, the postman starts. obviously this is a game thatis starts. obviously this is a game that is played over a few days, max, how often do you think you win? you haven't won that many, have you? andrew is very good at noughts and crosses , andrew is very good at noughts and crosses, is it right it is now connect four. what is your talent

for that like. that has been dragging on. i have won two connect fours, we still have one going. dragging on. i have won two connect fours, we still have one goingfl is lovely. have things changed for you over the last few weeks? oh it has been manic. like someone said earlier, it is busier than christmas. because all the shops and everything is shop and people are buying more online and, yeah, we are the fourth emergency service! do you feel, there is a lot of love for people like yourself who are keeping the country going, do you feel that appreciation in the same way we hear for the carers who are getting clapped on a thursday night, do you feel you're being well loved for the job you're doin zm yes -- you're doing? yes i have been given easter eggs, i have been given drink, christmas yes, but they're making us feel special. karen when did you

start realising that andrew would be an important part of your lockdown. it was right away. at first we put it up and he didn't see it because we didn't have any post. my husband had to knock on the window to get his attention. people are now playing all over the world? yeah, we have got people playing as far as australia at the moment. max, i wa nted australia at the moment. max, i wanted to ask you about your tactics, you need to improve your record with andrew, do you always go for the central one or try and go around the edge sometimes and psyche him out? i sort of always stay in the middle or on the top left corner. andrew what are your tactics? we alternate. i'm given an option sometimes to go centre. i just have to make sure that i win.”

like the way you're being competitive about it. presumably, andrew if you're having to play these games, which you are enjoying, does that mean it takes you longer to get around? sometimes, i've got five other games going on as well. it is taking a bit longer. are you up it is taking a bit longer. are you up in the night wondering about your tactics. yes. karen do you think you will carry on the games once we are on the other side of things.” will carry on the games once we are on the other side of things. i don't think boys will give me the choice. we will have to. what do you feel about that, andrew, are you quite happy yeah, it make it is day more interesting. how long have you been a postman for? 27 years this june. wow! you must have seen things change over those 27 years. when i first started we, i was a two—hour delivery, we went back and had

breakfast together and go out on a bike and do a second delivery. now we are out for four and maff hours —— half hours. we are out for four and maff hours -- half hours. thank you for talking to us. andrew keep doing your amazing job and see if you can get the big connect four triple. karen and max thank you. no problem, thank you. it is lovely to hear that as well. we have had somejoy on this programme today. we have and thank you for the huge response to the nurse, who came on and spoke to louise. she works in a hospital in bury and is trying to raise money to get a tablet so those patients there could communicate with their families. she told about the joy for people to see their relatives. families. she told about the joy for people to see their relativesm families. she told about the joy for people to see their relatives. it is on the bbc breakfast social media account. and don't or the get

captain tom's birthday tomorrow. his 100th birthday tomorrow. you seen then, goodbye.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines. millions more people will be able to get tested for coronavirus from today including all staff and residents of care homes. if they gov.uk, they can find out how to get a task. there are a number of ways, including having a test sent to your home, where you can get a test. spain's prime minister predicts a recession on an "extraordinary scale" following the pandemic. the first prime minister's questions since boris johnson's return to work. will he make an appearance for this afternoon's extended edition? patients with suspected cancer symptoms are being urged to contact their gp, after a 70% drop in cancer referrals since the pandemic was declared. the coronavirus outbreak in the united states has now killed