Coronavirus still poses considerable hazard to UK – Professor Van-Tam
England’s deputy chief medical officer also urged people to listen to scientists about coronavirus instead of celebrities.
Coronavirus still poses a “considerable hazard” to the UK over the coming months, according to England’s deputy chief medical officer.
Speaking to the Guardian, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam used his signature metaphors to explain why people should not consider the pandemic over despite the success of the vaccine rollout.
Prof Van-Tam, 57, also urged the public to listen to scientists for medical advice rather than celebrities like US rapper Nicki Minaj.
He said: “It’s as if there was this big express train that came down the east coast mainline, but, actually, the final destination is the last stop in Scotland somewhere.
“Of course, as you go down that rail journey, the line speeds decrease, they get a bit more twisty and turny, there are more stops, and false endings.
Prof Van-Tam also took aim at celebrities spreading disinformation about Covid-19.
US rapper Minaj, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, sparked a global backlash after tweeting she knew of someone whose testicles became swollen after getting the vaccine.
He said: “If your gaming PC develops a fault, don’t take it to a plumber and ask them to fix it.”
The professor also told the Guardian the pandemic period had been “very challenging” for him and his colleagues, describing it as “nothing that any of us signed up for”.
