As Boris Johnson self-isolates for seven days after testing positive for coronavirus, he must follow the example of his hero, Winston Churchill, in heeding the advice of his doctors. It was on the counsel of his chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, that the Prime Minister subjected himself to a test, which augurs well for the days ahead as he, in his own words ‘continues to lead the government’s response’ to coronavirus.
In December 1943, Churchill’s physician, Sir Charles Wilson (Lord Moran), was quick to spot the signs that his friend of many years was not well. They had arrived in Cairo on December after an exhausting fortnight in which the PM had discussed allied strategy in conferences in Cairo and Tehran. On returning to the Egyptian capital, Churchill and president Roosevelt hosted the Turkish president, Ismet Inönü, during which the British leader attempted unsuccessfully to persuade his guest to enter the war against Germany.
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