The Papers: \'Life on hold\' as UK \'ready for the worst\'

Newspaper headlines: 'Life on hold' as UK 'ready for the worst'

By BBC News Staff
Daily Mail March 4
Image caption "Life on hold for three months", declares the Daily Mail. The paper says Prime Minister Boris Johnson's "battle plan" for dealing with a serious coronavirus outbreak could force Brits to "suspend their social lives" and cut back on eating out, going to the pub, shopping and shows.
Guardian March 4
Image caption The Guardian's lead focuses on a suggestion that police investigations into some killings could be halted and 999 response times extended under contingency plans to help forces deal with a severe outbreak.
The Times March 4
Image caption The Times reports that the NHS "stepped up preparations" after the government published its "action plan". Hospitals have been told to "convert wards to isolation units" and "see as many patients as they can via video calls because their beds will be needed to treat coronavirus sufferers", the paper reports.
The Daily Telegraph March 4 Image copyright Alamy
Image caption The Daily Telegraph reports the government's warning that up to 20% of the UK's workforce could be off sick . The paper says the NHS could "treat only the sickest patients".
Daily Mail March 4
Image caption The government's plan to make the country "ready for the worst" left the UK on "full alert" on Tuesday night, the Daily Express reports.
i March 4
Image caption The i newspaper stresses that ministers' warnings relate to a "worst-case scenario". It points out that they are working on the basis of an "upper limit" 500,000 extra deaths from the virus, but they believe the toll "will be much lower".
Financial Times March 4
Image caption The Financial Times leads on the US central bank slashing interest rates in response to mounting concerns about the virus' economic impact. It points out that Bank of England governor Mark Carney suggested different countries would take "domestically tailored" approaches rather than the "big bang co-ordination of the financial crisis".
Metro March 4
Image caption The Metro carries a photo of the Queen wearing gloves while presenting honours at Buckingham Palace - reporting it was the "first time" this has happened. She "usually has her hands uncovered" to pin medals, the paper says, but "seemed to be taking no chances". The same image of the Queen appears on six other front pages.
The Sun March 4
Image caption The Sun leads on the same story, saying that the monarch "refused to be cowed by the coronavirus scare" and "sensibly" chose to wear the gloves. The Queen "gives gongs in gloves", it adds.
Daily Star March 4
Image caption The Daily Star compares government plans to "draft in" retired NHS staff and the armed forces to TV show Dad's Army. "Don't Panic!" says the paper's headline. Mr Johnson's advice to the public, it reports, is to "keep calm and carry on".
Daily Mirror March 4
Image caption Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror claims that the Crown Prosecution Service is to "probe its assault charge prosecution" of late TV presenter Caroline Flack after claims that it "pursued a 'show trial'".

"Life on hold for three months" is the Daily Mail's headline - which, like most of the newspapers, leads with the government's plans to deal with the coronavirus.

It says Britons will be asked to suspend their social lives if the infection takes hold.

The Guardian reports on contingency plans to take police officers off of some investigations in order to deal with an epidemic. It says 999 response times could be extended.

The Financial Times focuses of the economic cost of the crisis, leading with the US central bank slashing interest rates.

Metro and the Daily Express are among the papers to feature prominently a picture of the Queen presenting a CBE to actress Wendy Craig.

Image copyright PA Media
Image caption The Queen wore gloves as she awarded the CBE to actress Wendy Craig, but Buckingham Palace would not confirm whether the decision was linked to the coronavirus outbreak.

Both papers note Her Majesty's decision to wear gloves at an investiture - apparently for the first time - in what they say appeared to be a precaution against spreading the illness.

According to the The Daily Telegraph, the "right notes of proportionality, transparency and competence" were struck at Boris Johnson's news conference at Downing Street on the coronavirus crisis. But it says that "among the many unknowns is whether the NHS can cope with a major outbreak".

Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption Flack, pictured in November 2019, took her own life in February

The Daily Mirror says the Crown Prosecution Service is reviewing its decision to pursue a prosecution against Caroline Flack. The 40-year-old former Love Island presenter was found dead at her flat in London last month. She had been due on go on trial after being charged with assaulting her partner.

Following a freedom of information request from the Mirror, the paper says, "it is understood the CPS will look into its handling of the matter through a post-case review panel".

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The Guardian reports that women in labour are being refused epidurals in breach of official guidelines.

The newspaper says Department of Health investigation also found that women "may not be being kept fully informed that if they choose to give birth at home or in a midwife-led unit they may have to be transferred if they want an epidural".

Image copyright Getty Images

In the US, the Washington Post was one of many news websites following the results of Super Tuesday through the night.

Joe Biden won a string of victories in the vote to pick a Democratic White House candidate to face Donald Trump in November.

The Post's Philip Bump says: "One week ago, the most natural question one might have asked about former vice president Joe Biden's campaign was how soon it was likely to end." Now he has "energy and momentum".

Finally, the Daily Mail says a campaign has been launched to save Jolly the Fisherman - the mascot of the seaside town Skegness in Lincolnshire. Local officials are considering "axing the mascot over health and safety worries".

A report commissioned by the town council has highlighted hygiene fears over the "very dirty" mascot costumes, along with the "resource and cost of operating Jolly".