How to extend a lockdown

Stats

Behind closed doors…

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PM: So do we end it or extend it?

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Stephen of Stats: The model shows if we hold on for another two weeks we can come down to almost zero. We have a good chance of eliminating the virus.

Health

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Doc of Health: We’ve got pretty low numbers. Businesses want to get back to work. Their protests are getting louder.

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PM: We need a spin on this. Stephen, how about you go on TV and radio first thing in the morning, saying we need two more weeks. Then I’ll make the afternoon announcement saying we’ll extend for one week. I’ll start by saying what a grand job everyone’s done, how patient they’ve been. Then I’ll bury the extension about Minute 8. And then Doc, I’ll hand over and you back me up.

PM

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Doc of Health: Queen's Knight to f3?

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Stephen of Stats: That's the story.

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Voice-over

Classic PR crisis management communication. Leak bad news early on. Follow up with good news that the curve is flattening. Bury the less good news that we need to keep pushing it down. Game it. End with a sports analogy. We’re only at half-time. Need to keep up the pressure. We’re all in this together. We can do it.

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