Johnson’s Incredible Deadline Test: Looming Confrontation or Final Success?
The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to put pressure on government leaders around the world, and no one is facing more scrutiny than British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. After coming under intense fire after his first week in office, Johnson was faced with another daunting task on Sunday, his first coronavirus test.
With just days to go until the conference on Monday assessing the government’s progress against the pandemic, Johnson was put to the test. To say the test was pressured would be an understatement. After authorizing a last-minute testing unit over the weekend in order to expedite testing to determine if he had the virus or not, Johnson took the test live – from his residence – and the result was less than satisfactory.
The test didn’t reveal immediately if the prime minister was infected with the virus or not, and that put a strain on the government’s ability to plan for a Monday conference. With the conference scheduled to be held at noon, Johnson was faced with the daunting prospect of not knowing if he would be cleared to carry out the proceedings or not.
In the end, the Prime Minister did not pass his test. The result elicited a incredulous reaction from many in the media and public alike. The timing of his failed test could not have been worse, and all but put an end to any hope of holding the conference as planned.
It was a tough blow for the new Johnson administration, but there may be a silver lining in the cloud. This setback gives the government a unique opportunity to adjust its agenda and provide the public with a more detailed look at the government’s plans against COVID-19. It also gives Johnson a much-needed opportunity to connect with the public in a better and more transparent fashion.
Only time will tell if Johnson and his government can find a way to right the ship and continue to build public trust. As the UK works to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, one thing is certain: Boris Johnson’s failed test has undoubtedly been a obstacle. But with proper and clear communication, the government can still win the battle and put the country back on the path to recovery.