ALL THE BEER, NO IDEA
St Patrick’s Day drinkers ignore coronavirus calls to avoid pubs and bars as they hit the town
ST PATRICK'S day drinkers ignored government's urges to avoid bars and pleas to practice social distancing to celebrating Ireland's national holiday.
As the coronavirus crisis builds and Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the UK to step up to stop the spread, boozy Brits remained defiant and flooded pubs and bars today.
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St Patrick's day revellers ignored the warning of social isolation just 24 hours after it was issued.
Students flooded pubs in Newcastle wearing green merchandise along with face masks.
Tourists in Ireland's capital dressed up in green and posed outside bars despite the Irish government's complete closure of bars and pubs across the country.
The UK advice comes as researchers revealed staggering predictions that if we don't clamp down 260,000 could die.
Urging viewers to heed the advice in the light of this chilling research, Mr Johnson asked Brits to work from home, stop going to the pub and reduce socialising.
But despite the serious announcement on the growing pandemic, people still headed out for nights on the town.
Clubs in London and Essex remained open for business, with Popworld in Chelmsford telling customers it would be open on Fridays and Saturdays.
Today Scotland today recorded its second coronavirus death as UK cases surged to 1,950 - a jump of 400 more cases on yesterday.
The current death toll now stands at 71, as more and more people become infected.
The country could be stuck in a state of "permanent outbreak" and lockdown until a vaccine is found - which is at least a year away - experts warned.
But this did nothing to dampen the spirits of people still hitting the town in Newcastle and Manchester.
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Many declared they were on a noble but foolhardy mission to help keep pubs and bars afloat during the crisis - which are likely to get hit hard.
And others simply appeared very relaxed about the scientists' warnings that "social distancing" is needed to curb the looming infections.
Drinkers were seen having a few pints at Cirque Le Soir in Soho, London and Walkabout Chelmsford, Essex.
Social media was littered with people showing they were out and about, rubbing shoulders with other patrons.
Drinkers were photographed cheering, drinking cocktails and letting loose while showing a disregard for the warnings about the killer bug.
The number of cases could DOUBLE every five or six days if Britain doesn't take "draconian" action now, the PM warned the country, in the most drastic action taken so far to tackle the disease.
Levelling with a worried nation in a dramatic No10 press conference, Boris said: "Clearly what we’re announcing today is a very substantial change in the way we want people to live their lives, and I can’t remember anything like it in my lifetime.
"I don’t think there’s really been anything like it in peacetime.
"It’s a very considerable, psychological, behavioural change that we’re asking you, we’re asking the public, the nation to do.
"But I’ve absolutely no doubt that we can do it, that we can do it together."
Today it was announced the Ministry of Defence is planning to deploy 4,000 medics to help the struggling NHS deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
GPs, surgeons and nurses are being lined up as part of drastic measures to stop the spread of the killer bug.
It is feared many businesses will not survive the lockdown, as customers stay at home.
The UK Association of British Insurers said in a statement standard business insurance would not cover forced closures by authorities due to COVID-19.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday described it as "the most serious public health emergency that our nation has faced for a generation".
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The over 70s, those who are pregnant, and anyone with underlying health conditions (around 20million Brits) should try not to leave their homes if they can, and avoid crowded spaces immediately.
This will continue for the "long haul" - likely weeks or months.
And those with severe illnesses like cancer (around 1.4million Brits) must start cocooning themselves in their homes and get food delivered in from this weekend.
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Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam says parents can drop kids off at school gates but warns them to stay at a safe distance during coronavirus crisis
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