Scientists alarm at Wembley risk of covid bomb

Between daily data and future projections, the rebound of infections in the United Kingdom appears increasingly alarming, yet - contrary to what many experts and scientists wish - Wembley is ready to welcome 60 thousand fans for the Euro 2020 final. British government, controversial and criticized by those who emphasize how even today there have been over 32 thousand new cases, increased by 30% in the last seven days under the infectious pressure of the Delta variant. Equally clear is the rise in hospital admissions, which have risen by as much as 56%. Numbers that are worrying, but destined not to change the organizational machine in view of the Wembley final. Although there are those - such as Paul Elliott, lecturer in epidemiology at Imperial College London - are convinced thatfinal act of the European Championship risks turning into an explosion of infections, like (or even worse) at Atalanta-Valencia in February 2020. "Our tests, conducted in Scotland, have shown that the great indoor events, and those where close contacts are inevitable, they favor the transmission of the virus - Professor Paul Elliott told ANSA - It is certainly possible that after the final there will be an increase in infections, especially among young males, who attend in the majority to football matches ". Tomorrow evening, in the London stadium, up to 60 thousand spectators are expected, 75% of the maximum capacity, as already on the occasion of the two European semi-finals. The entrances will be reserved for those already fully vaccinated for at least two weeks, or in possession of thenegative result of an antigenic swab carried out in the previous 48 hours. Regulations are appropriate, but not sufficient, says Stephen Reicher, a member of a scientific committee monitoring the pandemic. "One of the problems right now is that the message from the government seems to suggest that it is all over; that you can decide freely whether or not to wear a mask. Obviously, it is something we would never say, because this is the time to insist . Especially as far as vaccines are concerned, they are crucial, important. And in overcrowded spaces, you have to keep wearing a mask ".One of the problems right now is that the message from the government seems to suggest that it is all over; that you can freely decide whether to wear the mask or not. It is obviously something we would never say, because now is the time to insist. Especially as far as vaccines are concerned, they are crucial, important. And in overcrowded spaces, you have to keep wearing the mask ".One of the problems right now is that the message from the government seems to suggest that it is all over; that you can freely decide whether to wear the mask or not. It is obviously something we would never say, because now is the time to insist. Especially as far as vaccines are concerned, they are crucial, important. And in overcrowded spaces, you have to keep wearing the mask ".