The Papers: Tests \'failure\' and masks warning

Newspaper headlines: Tests 'failure' and masks warning

By BBC News Staff
Daily Telegraph front page
Image caption Downing Street sources have criticised Matt Hancock’s pledge to test 100,000 people a day for coronavirus by the end of the month as arbitrary and irrational, reports the Daily Telegraph. In what the paper says is a sign that senior Whitehall figures are distancing themselves from the target, a No 10 insider is quoted as saying the pledge threatens to “come back and bite” the health secretary.
Mirror front page
Image caption But the Daily Mirror has a different take - “Test failure” is the paper's verdict on the government's testing record. It says less than a fifth of the 100,000 target is currently being hit, and features images of three empty testing sites on its front page.
Metro front page
Image caption The Metro reports that at least 100 health and social care workers have died of coronavirus – including a nurse whose family say she would have lived if she had received proper protective clothing. The paper says the grim tally was released by the publication NursingNotes and is more than double the official estimate of fatalities for NHS staff.
Daily Express
Image caption "Honour their sacrifice" is the view of the Daily Express. The paper calls on the government to give extra support to the families of healthcare workers who have died.
i front page
Image caption The i reports on personal protective equipment shortages, noting that the RAF was forced to pick up kit from Turkey following a delayed delivery from the country. The paper quotes Chancellor Rishi Sunak as saying “we are doing everything we can”. But it says health and care workers have complained of broken promises and being left to wear “skimpy” plastic aprons.
Daily Star
Image caption More than 100 top medics have signed a letter urging the public to wear face masks when they leave the house, according to the Daily Star. “Zorronation street” is the paper’s headline – a reference to the fictional vigilante Zorro.
The Times
Image caption But the Times reports that ministers have been warned by NHS bosses that advising members of the public to wear the masks risks jeopardising critical supplies to frontline health workers. It comes as government scientists are to examine the evidence on masks before making a formal recommendation on whether the public should wear them.
Guardian front page
Image caption Elsewhere, ministers have been warned by government scientific advisers that any easing of lockdown measures could result in an exponential rise in coronavirus cases, reports the Guardian. The paper says the warning comes amid a split in cabinet over how quickly to ease restrictions.
FT front page
Image caption The price of US oil turning negative for the first time in history makes the front page of the Financial Times. The paper says demand has evaporated amid the ongoing pandemic, which has resulted in the world being "awash" with oil and not enough space to store it.
The Sun front
Image caption The Sun contrasts what it calls Prince Philip’s “stirring” messages of thanks to the UK’s coronavirus heroes with grandson Harry’s complaints about the press. The paper says that while the prince paid tribute to the “vital” and “urgent” efforts of medics and other workers, Harry was focusing on his and wife Meghan’s “personal war” against the media.
Daily Mail front page
Image caption And the Daily Mail reports that families face an “unprecedented threat” from cyber criminals seeking to exploit the pandemic. The paper quotes UK spy chief Jeremy Fleming, director of GCHQ, as urging the public to be more vigilant than ever about online fraud.

Pictures of coronavirus test centres in Cardiff, Manchester and Brighton lying empty dominate the Daily Mirror's front page.

It says the government promised 100,000 tests a day by the end of this month, but less than a fifth of that target is actually being met.

The Daily Telegraph suggests that Matt Hancock is being lined up in government as the "fall guy" for mistakes in response to the virus.

It says the health secretary's pledge on testing has been criticised by Downing Street sources as arbitrary and irrational.

It quotes a Number 10 insider as saying: "He's not had a good crisis."

Allies of Mr Hancock tell the paper they believe he's the victim of a blame game sweeping through Whitehall as ministers and advisers try to wash their hands of key decisions, with one eye on the eventual inquiry into the response to the outbreak.

Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption The debate about whether people should wear face masks makes the lead for the Times

The debate about whether people should wear face masks makes the lead for the Times.

It says NHS bosses have warned ministers that advising the public to do so would risk jeopardising critical supplies to the health service.

Government scientists are due to examine the evidence about masks today before making a formal recommendation to ministers.

According to the paper, the World Health Organization is understood to be ready to issue fresh guidance on wearing masks in shops, on public transport and in other crowded spaces as part of measures to exit the lockdown.

However, the paper says there's concern that any endorsement of masks would encourage people to buy medical versions, which could send prices soaring.

While masks aren't in short supply in hospitals, the paper goes on, there are fears that that would change if their use was recommended more widely.

Get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning

Cabinet splits over how quickly the lockdown measures should be relaxed are the subject of the Guardian's main story.

The paper says senior ministers have been at loggerheads over whether the public health and economic impact of the lockdown will soon begin to rival the consequences of the virus itself.

According to the Guardian, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and Trade Secretary Liz Truss are known to be among those raising concerns about the impact of a lengthy shutdown.

But, the paper adds, other ministers appear to have taken on board the latest evidence from government scientists that any easing of restrictions could trigger an exponential rise in coronavirus cases, and have rowed back from their initial support for allowing schools and some businesses to return to normal.

The Daily Express gives its backing to a call by MPs - led by Liberal Democrat Layla Moran - for a "coronavirus compensation scheme" for the families of NHS workers who have died of the illness.

The paper is also calling for a national monument to be built to honour the sacrifice of what it calls "our health heroes".

And finally, Prince Philip's message praising the NHS and other key workers for keeping the country going during the crisis, is the Sun's top story.

It says he issued a rallying cry for the UK's coronavirus heroes.

But, the paper adds, Prince Philip's statement was in "stark contrast" to a message by what it describes as "some bloke called Harry, from Hollywood", who instead moaned about the press and focused on his and Meghan's personal war against the media.