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Covid - Death by Government

The government isn't alone in making serious errors in the pandemic. Many thousands of people might still be alive today if the scientific advice determining the timing of the lockdown had been more accurate, based on data that was available at that time.

Most of the focus so far has been on the lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), failure to protect care homes and the folly of stopping a test, trace and isolate (TTI) programme in March. The UK did not have a proper plan or capacity, and yet some countries with a comprehensive TTI programme from the start avoided lockdown altogether. People have been able to go about their socially distanced lives sensibly managing their own risk. This has to be our Plan A next time. TTI is essential.

PPE is also essential to protect frontline staff from high viral loads but was in short supply at precisely the time it was most needed. And in the mad scramble to save the NHS, many elderly people carrying the virus were discharged to care homes under the government's instructions, without a test. Lots of deaths followed, and NHS infection control experts and the Care Quality Commission should have stepped in to stop it.

In the absence of TTI, lockdown in the UK became inevitable and the timing was crucial. Get it right, and you reduce the deaths dramatically, come out more quickly and minimise harm to the economy, livelihoods, education and those needing treatment for cancer. Get it wrong, and the deaths mount up quickly and we delay coming out. We got the science wrong.

Votes Matter says "This total disregard for what happens to ordinary people is what we constantly vote for. Put your X somewhere else and vote for change."

Private Eye 1524 - June 19th 2020