The ad industry’s ‘dirty dozen’ must rescue us from this shambolic Covid comms strategy
The government’s message on controlling coronavirus while leaving lockdown is fatally unclear, and only expert intervention can avoid a disastrous failure.
By Mark Ritson
“Can I go and see my two sons, who I have not seen in 10 weeks? Can I go and see them today and maintain social distance? Yes or no?”
That was the question Piers Morgan asked Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen on his TV show yesterday. Yes, was the MP’s answer. At which point Morgan noted that the correct response, according to new government rules, should actually have been no.
“There is no clarity. It is a load of old flannel talking about ‘controlling the virus’,” Morgan concluded, as Bridgen blushed uncomfortably in front of 2 million people.
Morgan is correct. Put to one side your feelings about coronavirus and the government for a moment – whatever they may be – and just look at the clarity of communication around the UK’s new public messages. It is a total disgrace.
