Health
COVID-19 inquiry opened in UK
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
November 24, 2023 – An inquiry has been opened into the UK’s handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic and testimony regarding the government so far is damning.
“Arguably the most fundamental misstep in the UK response was the presentation that COVID-19 would be an unstoppable flu like wave” said David Halpern, Professor on the Behavioral Insights Team, in an assessment of the COVID strategy which was read out during the hearing.
Halpern added that overconfidence and an unwillingness to learn from other countries was a downfall in the UK as well.
The inquiry is made up of five modules to investigate Resilience and preparedness (Module 1), Core UK decision-
Right now, Module two: Core UK decision-making and political governance which called Halpern is ongoing.
Halpern says in addition the public was confused about the UKs tiered system.
“The public didn’t really understand the roles and this in some ways got worse and worse.”
Several other government aides have been called to the stand including Helen MacNamara, Former Deputy Cabinet Secretary, who painted a picture of laissez faire approach to COVID-19 rules by Boris Johnson, the then-Prime Minister asks his aides with not enough consideration given to the health of children, and perspectives of women
She recalled what she told coworkers in 2020, during the hearing which was broadcast live: “I think we are going to kill thousands of people”.
The inquiry is ongoing, it’s a learning exercise to better prepare the country for future outbreak response and to answer taxpayers questions. No one will be charged in this inquiry.