Scientists round on UK over plan to end COVID curbs

‘I believe that the strategy of herd immunity is actually murderous,’ US scientist William Haseltine said, as the UK prepares to lift most restrictions on public gatherings, businesses and nightclubs.

The UK government’s plan to scrap day-to-day pandemic restrictions in England next week is reckless and has no basis in science, international experts have warned, with one arguing it amounts to premeditated murder. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said this week it was “highly probable” the worst of the coronavirus pandemic was over as he pressed ahead with Monday’s reopening, despite the Delta variant spreading out of control. He has said the UK can reopen because two-thirds of adults are now fully vaccinated, but England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty warned that infection rates were on track to reach “quite scary” levels.