Interpretation of Boris' statement? Significant something by Christmas? That's the easiest thing in the world for him to say as it is both positive and meaningless. And, in his inimicable style, if by Christmas we can invite one family from ourside our bubble to dinner (albeit it would have to...
Leaking good news about the success of a vaccine is impossible if the trial is being done properly (blinded and randomised) and is in any case unethical. If data are emerging on a vaccine's effectiveness Boris won't know anything about it, not least because the data will still be coded...
Not that simple. R has relevance only when you consider the group size, and indeed also the rate of spread (which is determined by population clustering and will cause R to stay stable or to change). In Germany a while ago they had the occasional massive R, with R swinging up and down on an...