When the pandemic began, the ministers settled on what they had hoped for A reassuring combination For advice to stay home and save lives: They turn to Professor Chris Whitty and the familiar roaring voice of actor Mark Strong.
Eight months later, the chief medical officer and the Hollywood star were replaced by a man who was younger than one and might be seen as having less apparent charisma than the other.
But the public verdict is clear: Jonathan Van Tam, a spirited deputy chief medical officer with a penchant for cumbersome metaphors and Boston United soccer club, appears to have won the nation’s confidence.
On Thursday, as the government began implementing its vaccine communications strategy in earnest, he found himself shifting from the cold allure of the Downing Street briefing room to the warm and terrifying gaze of Holly and Phil.
Van Tam’s promotion to the “world of choice” for touring television studios and conveying the government’s message about the importance of vaccines and their safety may seem surprising on the face of it.
Until this year, the former editor of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses’ earliest known opportunity came in the form of routine reminders to get a flu shot.
And the 56-year-old glasses-wearing teacher – who has had enough 3B – but also wants – wants to get to the bar – immediately suggests it as a potential household name.
However, it was Van Tam who found himself touring BBC Breakfast, 5Life and IT this morning.
Familiar with the government Quote from Politico’s rulebook Reflected: “JVT is definitely the most trusted and admired voice. People are like a wise man and a witty behaves. [Patrick] Valance and Simon Stevens aren’t on the radar. The less you talk about Jenny Harry, the better. “
While this precedence is based in part on his reasonable advice and willingness to break ranks when the time demands – on Wednesday he broke through Boris Johnson’s Bangelossian optimism to suggest that people may be wearing masks for years to come – it may have been his way with words cementing his place in the public consciousness.
Addressing the public about easing the lockdown in May, the professor said, “Don’t tear the pants off.”
But he marries clarity with a penchant for more insinuation: there were ramps, shootouts, and “waiting for a train on a stormy night.”
At one press conference, when he was working from home, he decided To end each of his answers with the word “over”It looks like a fishing rider messaging port on a stormy night.
In the meantime, he was willing to avoid formalities that might be expected to go along with his job by framing his advice in all-inclusive terms.
On Thursday he returned to the familiar theme of advice he would give to his mother – get the vaccine as soon as possible – and told his fans that she called him “Johnny”. He has also conjured a new part of soccer visuals Quirky but effective thing About 70 minutes of a tie and the need for the state to go after a late winner, it was suggested that Father Christmas be at the top of the vaccine waiting list.
It remains to be seen whether the man who has replaced comedian Robert Webb now as Boston’s most famous child, will be content with a return to the relative obscurity of the officials.
If not, then Kingsman star Stronger might be better off looking up word with his agent.
So is Matthew McConaughey: This week he found himself five places below Van Tamm in Grazia’s “Lust Diagram”.
“Subtly charming bacon junkie. Infuriatingly humble beer trailblazer. Introvert. Evil reader. Hipster-friendly creator.”