Boris Johnson says fear of never seeing his new son gave him strength to beat coronavirus - The Sun

BORIS Johnson has told how the fear of never seeing his new son gave him the strength to beat coronavirus.

The PM said it fuelled a determination to banish all negative thoughts during even his darkest moments in intensive care.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

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Boris Johnson says the fear of never seeing his new unborn son fuelled his determination to beat coronavirusCredit: Crown Copyright

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Carrie Symonds gave birth to Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson last Friday

He added: “I just refused to let myself think down those lines.”

Boris revealed that as he lay wired up to monitors in St Thomas’ Hospital he focused on only “positive thoughts” about pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds, the coming birth and seeing his other children and the rest of his family again.

But asked if he had ever feared he might not live to see his new son Wilfred, he said: "Well, yes, of course. We've all got a lot to live for, a lot to do, and I won't hide it from you, I was thinking about that, yes."

The PM is famously shy about discussing his family, which makes his remarks even more extraordinary.

In Boris’ exclusive interview with The Sun he revealed thoughts of his loved ones gave him extra tenacity, adding: "I was deeply frustrated that I couldn't see the path to...do you know what I mean? I just couldn't see the way out of the skip.

"But, yeah, I suppose there was some terrible, as I say, some natural buoyancy or refusal to give in or harbour negative thoughts. I never really thought that I wouldn't come back from it. It was more frustration."

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It is not lost on him that barely three weeks after surviving a brush with death he was back in hospital for a happier occasion - to witness the birth of new son, Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas.

His middle name, Nicholas, is a tribute to specialists Dr Nicholas Price and Professor Nicholas Hart, who saved his life in intensive care.

Mr Johnson said: "What I can say is that I've seen the NHS save life and I've seen the NHS bring new life into the world in the last month.

"My love and admiration for that institution is boundless, that's all I'll say."

His face lights up when he is asked about his new son and he says: "I'm thrilled."

7

While in intensive care, Boris Johnson said he only focused on 'positive thoughts' about pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds and the coming birthCredit: Rex Features

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Dr Nick Hart is an expert in rehabilitation and ventilation - with Boris' son named after him

7

Dr Nick Price is an expert in infectious diseases - one of the doctors who helped saved Boris Johnson's life

When he left London's St Thomas's Hospital last month, Mr Johnson made slight reference to the two specialists, saying: "I want to pay my own thanks to the utterly brilliant doctors, leaders in their fields, men and women, but several of them for some reason called Nick."

In his interview, he was also full of praise for Pat O'Brien, the consultant obstetrician who delivered Wilfred at University College London Hospital.

He said: "He's a great man, a great man. He's also a very nice man."

APPLAUSE IN HIS BOXERS

The PM also told how he leapt onto his hospital bed wearing only his boxer shorts just two hours after leaving intensive care — to “clap like crazy” for the NHS.

Boris Johnson said that from his window at St Thomas’ Hospital he saw the police at nearby Scotland yard doing their weekly clap for doctors, nurses and other NHS staff.

He added: “It was a Thursday when I came out of ICU and with me I had a nurse called Becky and a nurse called, I think, Angel.

“I was just in my boxers, nothing else. We stood up and there was this big window looking out of the Thames and we saw the Met and the Fire Brigade do this display with their boats.

“It was just fantastic. And we clapped like crazy for the NHS and for care workers.”

Mr Johnson spoke movingly of his enormous debt to the professionalism and dedication of NHS staff.

He said: “I owe my life to our doctors and nurses and the healthcare workers.

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“They pulled my chestnuts out of the fire, no question.”

The PM told of his overwhelming feeling of relief when at around 6pm on April 9 he was wheeled out of intensive care after winning his personal battle with coronavirus — and back onto a general ward.

He said: “It was an amazing moment. They clapped me out of the bit I was in. It's something they have done for many patients — but it is really the doctors and nurses who deserve it most.”

Carrie and Boris announced their pregnancy in February

7

A beaming Boris back at No10 the morning after the birth of his child with CarrieCredit: Andrew Parsons 10 Downing Street)

7

Boris Johnson says his love for the NHS is 'boundless' after they saved his life and brought his new baby into the worldCredit: Crown Copyright

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Boris Johnson reveals doctors prepared to announce his death as he battled coronavirus

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2020-05-03 22:35:05Z
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Boris Johnson says fear of never seeing his new son gave him strength to beat coronavirus - The Sun

BORIS Johnson has told how the fear of never seeing his new son gave him the strength to beat coronavirus.

The PM said it fuelled a determination to banish all negative thoughts during even his darkest moments in intensive care.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

7

Boris Johnson says the fear of never seeing his new unborn son fuelled his determination to beat coronavirusCredit: Crown Copyright

7

Carrie Symonds gave birth to Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson last Friday

He added: “I just refused to let myself think down those lines.”

Boris revealed that as he lay wired up to monitors in St Thomas’ Hospital he focused on only “positive thoughts” about pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds, the coming birth and seeing his other children and the rest of his family again.

But asked if he had ever feared he might not live to see his new son Wilfred, he said: "Well, yes, of course. We've all got a lot to live for, a lot to do, and I won't hide it from you, I was thinking about that, yes."

The PM is famously shy about discussing his family, which makes his remarks even more extraordinary.

In Boris’ exclusive interview with The Sun he revealed thoughts of his loved ones gave him extra tenacity, adding: "I was deeply frustrated that I couldn't see the path to...do you know what I mean? I just couldn't see the way out of the skip.

"But, yeah, I suppose there was some terrible, as I say, some natural buoyancy or refusal to give in or harbour negative thoughts. I never really thought that I wouldn't come back from it. It was more frustration."

Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal

BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.

But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?

The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers. The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.

We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.

The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM. No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here: www.thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal.

It is not lost on him that barely three weeks after surviving a brush with death he was back in hospital for a happier occasion - to witness the birth of new son, Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas.

His middle name, Nicholas, is a tribute to specialists Dr Nicholas Price and Professor Nicholas Hart, who saved his life in intensive care.

Mr Johnson said: "What I can say is that I've seen the NHS save life and I've seen the NHS bring new life into the world in the last month.

"My love and admiration for that institution is boundless, that's all I'll say."

His face lights up when he is asked about his new son and he says: "I'm thrilled."

7

While in intensive care, Boris Johnson said he only focused on 'positive thoughts' about pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds and the coming birthCredit: Rex Features

7

Dr Nick Hart is an expert in rehabilitation and ventilation - with Boris' son named after him

7

Dr Nick Price is an expert in infectious diseases - one of the doctors who helped saved Boris Johnson's life

When he left London's St Thomas's Hospital last month, Mr Johnson made slight reference to the two specialists, saying: "I want to pay my own thanks to the utterly brilliant doctors, leaders in their fields, men and women, but several of them for some reason called Nick."

In his interview, he was also full of praise for Pat O'Brien, the consultant obstetrician who delivered Wilfred at University College London Hospital.

He said: "He's a great man, a great man. He's also a very nice man."

APPLAUSE IN HIS BOXERS

The PM also told how he leapt onto his hospital bed wearing only his boxer shorts just two hours after leaving intensive care — to “clap like crazy” for the NHS.

Boris Johnson said that from his window at St Thomas’ Hospital he saw the police at nearby Scotland yard doing their weekly clap for doctors, nurses and other NHS staff.

He added: “It was a Thursday when I came out of ICU and with me I had a nurse called Becky and a nurse called, I think, Angel.

“I was just in my boxers, nothing else. We stood up and there was this big window looking out of the Thames and we saw the Met and the Fire Brigade do this display with their boats.

“It was just fantastic. And we clapped like crazy for the NHS and for care workers.”

Mr Johnson spoke movingly of his enormous debt to the professionalism and dedication of NHS staff.

He said: “I owe my life to our doctors and nurses and the healthcare workers.

Exclusive

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Boris reveals doctors prepared to announce his death as he battled Covid

BOJO'S BROOD

Meet Boris Johnson's six children as he names baby son Wilfred

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“They pulled my chestnuts out of the fire, no question.”

The PM told of his overwhelming feeling of relief when at around 6pm on April 9 he was wheeled out of intensive care after winning his personal battle with coronavirus — and back onto a general ward.

He said: “It was an amazing moment. They clapped me out of the bit I was in. It's something they have done for many patients — but it is really the doctors and nurses who deserve it most.”

Carrie and Boris announced their pregnancy in February

7

A beaming Boris back at No10 the morning after the birth of his child with CarrieCredit: Andrew Parsons 10 Downing Street)

7

Boris Johnson says his love for the NHS is 'boundless' after they saved his life and brought his new baby into the worldCredit: Crown Copyright

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW

Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.

To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply 'Like' our Coronavirus page.

Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - find out more.

Boris Johnson reveals doctors prepared to announce his death as he battled coronavirus

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2020-05-03 22:25:12Z
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STANLEY JOHNSON on Boris and Carrie Symonds' new baby boy - Daily Mail

'My father Wilfred would have been so proud': STANLEY JOHNSON on Boris and Carrie Symonds' new baby boy - and how the PM decided to name him after his grandfather

By Stanley Johnson For The Daily Mail

Published: 22:01 BST, 3 May 2020 | Updated: 22:32 BST, 3 May 2020

I drove a few miles by back roads this morning from my remote farm in the Upper Exe valley to the garage at Wheddon Cross to fill up with petrol. 

I'm not sure whether, strictly speaking, this was an 'essential' journey as laid down by law.

The tank was still a quarter-full, but I reckoned I had a good excuse ready if I was intercepted by a zealous representative of the Avon and Somerset constabulary.

'Well, actually officer...,' I was going to say, 'I'm planning to pick up the papers as well. 

'I think there may be something in them about the birth of my latest grandchild, Wilfred Johnson.'

I felt absurdly proud that my grandson Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, safe in his mother's arms, would carry to his dying day my father's own first name and his surname too, writes STANLEY JOHNSON

As it happened, I reached the garage without being intercepted. I filled up with petrol and bought a full set of the available papers.

I flipped through them before heading for home. Most of them carried a charming front-page photo of Boris's fiancee, Carrie, and the new baby.

'Meet Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson,' urged The Mail on Sunday, for example. 'He's got Daddy's hair!'

I admit I felt, at that moment, overcome with emotion. 

I hadn't had the faintest idea that 'Wilfred', my own father's first name, was even in the running as a candidate for the birth certificate – let alone that 'Wilfred' would end up in pole position.

But there was more to it than that. 

I felt absurdly proud that this tiny infant, safe in his mother's arms, would carry to his dying day my father's own first name and his surname too.

Wilfred Johnson The Elder – better known in these parts as 'Johnny' Johnson – is no longer with us to tell us himself what he thinks of recent events. Pictured: Boris Johnson's grandfather during the Second World War

When I got home, I headed off for some moments of quiet reflection in my study, looking out at the sparkling river that flows through the meadow below the house.

Here I was in the very place where my parents after the war had made their home.

They lived here full-time for 40 years. My siblings and I spent our childhood and adolescence here.

What would my father have made of today's news, I wondered. He wasn't a talkative man.

He weighed his words. But I am 100 per cent sure that he would have been pleased, even delighted.

I can imagine him popping down to the Royal Oak in Winsford, ordering a pint and taking his pipe from his mouth (though he was usually wedded to it) to acknowledge proffered congratulations.

Well, Wilfred Johnson The Elder – better known in these parts as 'Johnny' Johnson – is no longer with us to tell us himself what he thinks of recent events. 

So I am going to allow myself the luxury of saying a word or two about the man this new young Wilfred may one day refer to as 'Great-Grandaddy'.

I am going to allow myself the luxury of saying a word or two about the man this new young Wilfred may one day refer to as 'Great-Grandaddy'. Pictured: Stanley Johnson with his son, Prime Minister Boris Johnson

The papers carried a photo of my father and me walking side by side on the track which leads to our farm. I look at him now and I acknowledge how much I owe him.

By any standard, he had a tough start in life. 

His mother, Winifred, died in Bournemouth of puerperal fever four days after he was born. He was brought up by his maternal grandmother.

His own father, Ali Kemal, a Turkish politician, once the Sultan's Minister of the Interior, was kidnapped in Istanbul in 1922 and brutally murdered.

Wilfred himself served the whole of the Second World War in RAF Coastal Command, flying Wellington bombers on long anti-U-boat patrols over the Atlantic.

He survived two crashes, hated post-war urban life with a passion, and came to Exmoor and a hill-farmer's life which couldn't by any stretch of the imagination have been called easy.

Even though it's 27 years since my father died, they still remember him in the village – particularly the time when, coming back to the farm from the pub late one night, he drove his car off the bridge into the river.

Boris Johnson's fiancée Carrie Symonds gave birth to their son last week. Pictured: The couple in September last year

He emerged pipe in hand, gruff but unscathed, though the vehicle had to be towed out with the tractor the next day.

I have said that my father was not a talkative man. By that I mean that, he didn't spend a lot of time in conversation.

I cannot recall that we ever had a 'dinner party' at home or indeed that my parents ever went to one, not while they lived on Exmoor anyway.

My father was a farmer. That's what he wanted to be and that – late in life – was what he managed to achieve.

My mother sometimes complained that he spent more time talking to his beloved horse Sunshine than he did to her.

Happily he could ride Sunshine over the hill to the pub, knowing that the 'dear old girl' would be able to find her own way back on the darkest of nights.

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2020-05-03 21:49:20Z
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Coronavirus lockdown could be tightened in areas where infections rise after restrictions eased, Michael Gove - The Sun

LOCKDOWN measures could be tightened in areas where infections rise under a "whack-a-mole" strategy to slowly ease restrictions.

Boris Johnson will address the nation next Sunday to explain a “roadmap” of how current restrictions will be lifted gradually at the same pace nationwide - starting towards the end of the month.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

Michael Gove addressed the nation during Sunday's coronavirus briefingCredit: PA:Press Association

People exercise in St Nicholas' Park, WarwickCredit: PA:Press Association

But Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove insisted it is still “premature” to lift restrictions too early and would be the “worst thing to do” because it would risk a second spike in the disease.

LOWERING THE R

NHS medical director Stephen Powis said during today's coronavirus briefing that the crucial ‘R’ value for the disease - the average number of people one infected person will pass on the virus to - is currently around 0.7 per cent in the UK as a whole.

It is lower than scientists believed it to be last week - although the PM is said to want to quash it even further before lifting restrictions.

Mr Gove said tonight that the Government will “pause or even reintroduce those restrictions” on specific sectors of society or certain areas that see a relapse in Covid-19 cases and where the ‘R’ value risks going above one.

This approach would give ministers and public health officials the ability to adapt a much more targeted and quicker response to local outbreaks of the virus - in contrast to the blanket lockdown that has been imposed on the UK since March 23.

WHACK-A-MOLE

It is being dubbed as a “whack-a-mole” strategy within Whitehall, with targeted measures to “hit hard” any coronavirus hotspots that erupt after the nationwide lockdown is lifted, the Sunday Times reported.

It could lead to even stricter restrictions being imposed on areas such as care homes, prisons or whole towns.

Mr Gove confirmed this approach on Sunday, telling the daily coronavirus briefing at No10: “It is important that we make clear that any approach we take is staged.

“A phased approach is one which allows us to monitor the impact that those changes are having on public health and if necessary, in a specific and localised way, that means that we can pause or even reintroduce those restrictions that might be required in order to deal with localised outbreaks of the disease.”

Mr Gove acknowledged that lockdown measures will have an impact on people’s “mental and emotional well-being” - as well as economic activity.

ROAD TO FREEDOM

It comes as hand sanitizer is set to be installed on trains to protect commuters and persuade them it is safe to return to work.

Train platforms and bus stops will contain two metre markers to maintain social distancing and one-way systems will be in place at stations to help Brits use public transport in the safest way possible.

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Ministers have also confirmed The Sun’s revelation that workplaces will be allowed to return to work after the second May bank holiday on May 26.

Employers will be ordered to stagger shifts and breakdown workers into blue and red ‘tag teams’ working alternative days.

Workers could even be asked to take daily saliva tests to check they are free of the virus.

A comprehensive guide for how employers must make their workplaces fit for social distancing will be unveiled by the Business Department this week.

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We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.

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Michael Gove says that those in the frontline will need 'clear guidance on safe working' and the Prime Minister will be 'saying more'

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2020-05-03 20:11:14Z
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Boris Johnson 'to set out plan for leaving lockdown next week' - Metro.co.uk

Boris Johnson will set out a plan for easing the UK’s lockdown restrictions next week, Michael Gove has said.

Speaking during today’s daily press conference, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster stated that the UK ‘must carry on’ until the Prime Minister reveals how social distancing measures will be relaxed.

He said: ‘His comprehensive plan will explain how we can get our economy moving, how we can get our children back to school, how we can travel to work more safely, and how we can make life in the workplace safer.’

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Gove then went on to say that the restrictions can only start being relaxed when the government’s ‘five tests’ are met. The five tests include the number of cases falling, a declining death rate, the NHS being prepared and measures in place to stop a second peak of the virus.

Boris Johnson will set out a plan next week, Michael Gove said (Picture: PA)

Coronavirus latest news and updates

He continued: ‘I’m particularly conscious that those in the frontline of our public services will need clear guidance on safe working, they’ll need the right personal protective equipment, and appropriate access to testing, if we are to make all the progress that we want in the weeks ahead.

‘We are consulting with employers and unions, professionals, and public health experts to establish how we can ensure that we have the safest possible working environments and the Prime Minister will be saying more later this week.’

During the press conference, Gove acknowledged that the continuation of lockdown is impacting people’s ‘mental and emotional well-being’ as well as economic activity.

Responding to a question a member of the public, he warned that relaxing the restrictions prematurely would be the ‘worst thing to do’, as it could risk a second spike in the disease.

Gove praised the public and urged them to ‘carry on’ following social-distancing measures (Picture: 10 Downing Street)

Giving a scientific perspective, Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for England, also said social distancing ‘can have detrimental effects in terms of health, but also emotional and social effects.’

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He continued: ‘We are very keen, as are all my clinical and scientific colleagues, to make sure that as soon as we possibly can we are able to give advice that allows those measures to be relaxed.’

Hundreds queue for DIY supplies as B&Q and Homebase reopen

Lockdown restrictions were first put in place on March 23, and extended for ‘at least three weeks’ on April 16. The government has remained tight-lipped about how long the measures will likely last.

However, officials have said getting children back into classrooms is a ‘top priority’ in the timetable to ‘unlock’ the UK. Reports suggest primary schools could be given notice as soon as this week, if infection rates continue to drop.

Today, the Prime Minister said he wants primary schools opened ‘as fast as we can’. He told The Sun on Sunday: ‘That’s where we want to go. It’s about working out a way to do it.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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2020-05-03 17:24:27Z
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