The Conversation (0)
Greg Evans
Jan 27, 2021
More than 100,000 people in the UK have now died from Covid-19 - a sobering statistic that was revealed by prime minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press briefing, Johnson expressed his “deepest condolences” to everyone that had lost a loved one and claimed that “we truly did everything we could” to prevent the deaths. Meanwhile, separate statistics show that more than 115,000 deaths in the UK have been attributed to Covid-19.
These figures now leave the UK with the highest death rate in Europe and the fifth-highest in the world behind Mexico, India, Brazil and the United States. The worst affected regions in the country are reportedly the North West, North East and the West Midlands.
There are a multitude of reasons why the death toll has reached this saddening figure with Prof Linda Bauld from the University of Edinburgh telling BBC News that “a legacy of poor decisions that were taken when we eased restrictions.” Meanwhile, the shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said that “I do not accept that” when Johnson said “we truly did everything we could.”
Britain’s newspapers led with the news this morning.
THE TIMES: 100,000 deaths #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/cMsf8sDWXJ— Neil Henderson (@Neil Henderson) 1611699711
Understandably, many were left feeling deflated by the news and turned their frustrations to the government.
Just feels utterly desolate tonight. 100,000 loved ones. 2 of them mine. It was not inevitable. It didn’t have to b… https://t.co/RX1zLtWmQA— Anna Turley 🌹💙 (@Anna Turley 🌹💙) 1611704488
Over 100,000 deaths & the Gov’t sends out the Housing Secretary to defend its actions. As @piersmorgan asked this m… https://t.co/laMYsFPwwQ— Peter Stefanovic (@Peter Stefanovic) 1611737605
If multiple Govt failures that led to 100,000 UK COVID deaths isn't enough reason for #BorisJohnson to #Resign as P… https://t.co/xxnXuFeECP— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu) 1611737086
100,000 deaths is such a huge figure it’s honestly difficult to comprehend. It’s a city the size of Lincoln. The 1,… https://t.co/DN6fkZMQN6— Jon Stone (@Jon Stone) 1611696742
Boris Johnson, 3/2/20: "coronavirus will trigger a panic and a desire for market segregation that go beyond what is… https://t.co/Ri6RQVEOFW— James Oh Brien (@James Oh Brien) 1611682071
Watched the news and now crying, of course. And it will be the same for everyone who lost someone they love to this… https://t.co/CkPwadDheL— Catherine Mayer (@Catherine Mayer) 1611699317
It took around 9 months for the first 50,000 Britons to officially die of COVID-19. It took around 11 weeks for th… https://t.co/Q0aLlvhNwV— Owen Jones 🌹 (@Owen Jones 🌹) 1611690527
Labour MPs were equally critical of the government and called on its members to learn from their mistakes.
100,000 deaths from coronavirus is a national tragedy. But it was not inevitable. The government must learn the les… https://t.co/mOWD0qx16e— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1611683790
This is truly tragic news - what’s so heart-breaking is that this wasn’t inevitable. Every death is a person - a r… https://t.co/gjtFkTkDHE— Dr Rosena Allin-Khan 💙 (@Dr Rosena Allin-Khan 💙) 1611689578
When the Prime Minister says "we did everything we could" the public will reflect on why we have 100,000 deaths and… https://t.co/PPE0EIvKH0— Angela Rayner (@Angela Rayner) 1611682332
Images like this really put everything into perspective.
One hundred thousand deaths - tens of thousands of which could have been avoided. An absolutely unimaginable failur… https://t.co/0VNBPH5YsY— Adam Kay (@Adam Kay) 1611703164
This is 100,000 people. Each one with their own families and friends all grieving the loss of a loved one. Death… https://t.co/aVskVUlcxD— Asmaá 🌞 (@Asmaá 🌞) 1611704419
100,000. The estimated capacity of the Pyramid Stage audience. https://t.co/jYEJ7vq2BN— Jon Hillcock (@Jon Hillcock) 1611736133
This poem from Jackie Kay feels like a more fitting way to remember the departed.
"The dead don’t go till you do, loved ones. The dead are still here holding our hands." As the UK reaches 100,000… https://t.co/tY4UY8UWKq— BBC Newsnight (@BBC Newsnight) 1611704205
More: How I found purpose in my art during Covid-19 pandemic