Report says UK’s slow virus lockdown cost 1000s of lives
3 years, 2 months ago

Report says UK’s slow virus lockdown cost 1000s of lives

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s failure to impose a lockdown in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic cost thousands of unnecessary deaths and ranks among the country’s worst public health blunders, lawmakers concluded Tuesday in the nation’s first comprehensive report on the pandemic. “Decisions on lockdowns and social distancing during the early weeks of the pandemic - and the advice that led to them - rank as one of the most important public health failures the United Kingdom has ever experienced,’' states the joint report from the House of Commons’ science and health committees. “There was a groupthink that the way you tackle a pandemic should be similar to a flu pandemic,” Jeremy Hunt, a former British health minister who now heads Parliament’s health committee, said. Trish Greenhalgh, a professor of primary care health services at the University of Oxford, said the report “hints at a less-than-healthy’’ relationship between government and scientific bodies.

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History of this topic

Britain needs a ‘vaccine taskforce’ to prepare for the next pandemic, Lords warn
1 month ago

Britain needs a ‘vaccine taskforce’ to prepare for the next pandemic, Lords warn

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain needs a “peacetime vaccine task force” to prepare for the …

Whitty: UK faced ‘absolutely catastrophic situation’ before first Covid lockdown
3 months, 1 week ago

Whitty: UK faced ‘absolutely catastrophic situation’ before first Covid lockdown

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK faced an “absolutely catastrophic situation” as it headed …

Government’s ‘fatal strategic flaws’ in Covid planning led to avoidable deaths and economic pain
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Government’s ‘fatal strategic flaws’ in Covid planning led to avoidable deaths and economic pain

The Independent  

Mass deaths and economic pain during the Covid-19 pandemic were driven by “fatal flaws” in planning by the government, civil servants and scientists who prepared for the “wrong pandemic”, a public inquiry has found. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry, chaired by Heather Hallett, published its first report on Thursday, focusing on the UK’s pandemic “preparedness and resilience”. The 217-page report said …

Inquiry finds Britain was ill-prepared for COVID-19 pandemic and failed its citizens
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Inquiry finds Britain was ill-prepared for COVID-19 pandemic and failed its citizens

Associated Press  

LONDON — The U.K. government was ill-prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic and serious errors in planning failed its citizens, an inquiry found Thursday. “In reality, the U.K. was ill-prepared for dealing with the whole-system civil emergency of a pandemic, let alone the coronavirus pandemic that actually struck.” The COVID-19 pandemic has been blamed for more than 235,000 deaths in the …

Covid Inquiry: State failings led to mass death and suffering, damning report concludes - Health Secretaries Hancock and Hunt did not prepare UK for 'catastrophic' pandemic that killed more than 230,0
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Covid Inquiry: State failings led to mass death and suffering, damning report concludes - Health Secretaries Hancock and Hunt did not prepare UK for 'catastrophic' pandemic that killed more than 230,0

Daily Mail  

The UK Government's failure to prepare for a 'forseeable' pandemic led to mass death, 'untold misery' and 'economic turmoil', the Covid-19 Inquiry has concluded. Baroness Heather Hallett, who chaired the Covid 19 Inquiry, highlighting the grave lack of preparedness and resilience that meant the virus tore through communities and overwhelmed the NHS The inquiry said it had 'no hesitation' in …

UK ‘unsafe’ from future pandemic threats, says Oxford Vaccine Group director
11 months, 2 weeks ago

UK ‘unsafe’ from future pandemic threats, says Oxford Vaccine Group director

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. We are really unsafe at this moment for future pandemic threats, because we just don't …

Chris Whitty: Britain’s Covid plans were ‘woefully deficient’ – even for a flu pandemic
1 year, 1 month ago

Chris Whitty: Britain’s Covid plans were ‘woefully deficient’ – even for a flu pandemic

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Britain’s pandemic plans …

The UK took action too late during COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave, its top medical officer says
1 year, 1 month ago

The UK took action too late during COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave, its top medical officer says

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s government was too late in taking action against the coronavirus during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, the U.K.'s chief medical adviser said Tuesday in testimony to the independent COVID-19 inquiry. He said he had been concerned in particular about longer-term impacts on the poorest people and those living alone, and described the difficulties in …

‘Just let people die’: Sunak reportedly said ahead of national lockdown, COVID probe panel finds
1 year, 1 month ago

‘Just let people die’: Sunak reportedly said ahead of national lockdown, COVID probe panel finds

Firstpost  

The inquiry is examining the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic that shut large sections of the economy and killed more than 220,000 people in Britain. It is due to run until the summer of 2026 British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has allegedly been quoted as saying the government should “just let people die” during the COVID-19 pandemic rather than …

Britain’s COVID-19 response inquiry enters a second phase with political decisions in the spotlight
1 year, 3 months ago

Britain’s COVID-19 response inquiry enters a second phase with political decisions in the spotlight

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s inquiry into the response to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the nation entered its second phase Tuesday, with political decision-making around major developments, such as the timing of lockdowns, taking center stage. Many held a silent protest outside the inquiry in London holding portraits of their deceased loved ones, and stood beside a banner which …

UK must be prepared to lock down to prevent disease spread – Hancock
1 year, 6 months ago

UK must be prepared to lock down to prevent disease spread – Hancock

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK must be prepared …

UK was ill-prepared for pandemic because resources were diverted to Brexit, ex-health chief says
1 year, 6 months ago

UK was ill-prepared for pandemic because resources were diverted to Brexit, ex-health chief says

The Independent  

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UK was ill-prepared for pandemic because resources were diverted to Brexit, ex-health chief says
1 year, 6 months ago

UK was ill-prepared for pandemic because resources were diverted to Brexit, ex-health chief says

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain was ill-prepared for a pandemic partly because government resources had been diverted away from pandemic planning to brace for a possibly chaotic exit from the European Union without a deal, the U.K.'s former health secretary told an inquiry Tuesday. Matt Hancock also said officials had to scramble to source protective equipment, set up mass testing and contact …

Matt Hancock arrives to give evidence to Covid-19 inquiry
1 year, 6 months ago

Matt Hancock arrives to give evidence to Covid-19 inquiry

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Former health secretary Matt Hancock has arrived to give evidence …

UK ‘underprepared for severe pandemic because of planning for no-deal Brexit’
1 year, 6 months ago

UK ‘underprepared for severe pandemic because of planning for no-deal Brexit’

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Hugo …

COVID-19 inquiry in UK asks whether ‘terrible consequences’ could have been avoided or reduced
1 year, 6 months ago

COVID-19 inquiry in UK asks whether ‘terrible consequences’ could have been avoided or reduced

Associated Press  

LONDON — A mammoth three-year public inquiry into the U.K. government’s handling of the response to COVID-19 opened Tuesday by asking if some suffering and death could have been avoided with better planning — and whether Britain’s complex, protracted exit from the European Union distracted authorities from preparing for potential threats. Lawyer Hugo Keith, who is counsel to the inquiry, …

Covid-19 Inquiry: People encouraged to share pandemic experiences
1 year, 7 months ago

Covid-19 Inquiry: People encouraged to share pandemic experiences

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy People across the UK have been urged to share their …

Benefits of original Covid lockdown were 'a drop in the bucket compared to the costs'
1 year, 7 months ago

Benefits of original Covid lockdown were 'a drop in the bucket compared to the costs'

Daily Mail  

Draconian lockdown measures taken to stop the spread of Covid in early 2020 may have saved as few as 1,700 lives, analysis suggests. A report suggests specific initiatives to control the spread of Covid had mixed results in reducing mortality, with mask mandates having the biggest impact while measures such as limiting gatherings paradoxically raised death rates Vaccines — considered …

Covid lockdown benefits were ‘drop in the bucket’ compared to costs, study says
1 year, 7 months ago

Covid lockdown benefits were ‘drop in the bucket’ compared to costs, study says

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The benefits of the first Covid-19 lockdown were “a drop in …

How Matt Hancock sought to hog the Covid vaccine limelight
1 year, 10 months ago

How Matt Hancock sought to hog the Covid vaccine limelight

The Telegraph  

Matt Hancock feared he would not get credit for the UK’s vaccine success and described the speeding up of the jabs rollout as a “Hancock triumph”. The former health secretary’s WhatsApp messages show he fought to be the face of Britain’s vaccine campaign at the height of the pandemic and became furious if he thought others were getting the credit. …

Matt Hancock's plan to ‘frighten the pants off everyone’ about Covid
1 year, 10 months ago

Matt Hancock's plan to ‘frighten the pants off everyone’ about Covid

The Telegraph  

Throughout the course of the pandemic, officials and ministers wrestled with how to ensure the public complied with ever-changing lockdown restrictions. “We frighten the pants off everyone,” Matt Hancock suggested during one WhatsApp message with his media adviser. The WhatsApp messages seen by The Telegraph show how several members of Mr Hancock’s team engaged in a kind of “Project Fear”, …

UK health chief's leaked messages revive raw pandemic debate
1 year, 10 months ago

UK health chief's leaked messages revive raw pandemic debate

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Hancock shared his WhatsApp messages with …

UK health chief’s leaked messages revive raw pandemic debate
1 year, 10 months ago

UK health chief’s leaked messages revive raw pandemic debate

Associated Press  

LONDON — Coronavirus lockdowns have been lifted and face masks are few and far between in Britain these days. Hancock shared his WhatsApp messages with journalist Isabel Oakeshott as they worked on a book, “Pandemic Diaries.” Oakeshott, in turn, handed the messages to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, which has splashed them in a series of front-page stories. Steven Barnett, professor …

Ex-UK health chief defends record after COVID messages leak
1 year, 10 months ago

Ex-UK health chief defends record after COVID messages leak

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain’s former health minister on …

Ex-UK health chief defends record after COVID messages leak
1 year, 10 months ago

Ex-UK health chief defends record after COVID messages leak

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s former health minister on Wednesday denied wrongdoing after a newspaper published extracts of private messages he sent in the first weeks of the coronavirus pandemic. The Daily Telegraph said the exchanges show that then-Health Secretary Matt Hancock ignored scientific advice to test everyone entering nursing homes for COVID-19. Hancock said the WhatsApp messages had been deceptively edited, …

Lancet Commission criticises WHO for acting ‘too slowly’ in controlling COVID-19 pandemic
2 years, 3 months ago

Lancet Commission criticises WHO for acting ‘too slowly’ in controlling COVID-19 pandemic

The Hindu  

The Lancet Commission on lessons for the future from the COVID-19 pandemic published in the journal on September 14, has issued a set of recommendations for future plans and has also castigated the World Health Organization for acting “too cautiously and too slowly” on several important matters. This staggering death toll is both a profound tragedy and a massive global …

‘Record-high’ 892,000 people living with long Covid for a year, figures show
2 years, 4 months ago

‘Record-high’ 892,000 people living with long Covid for a year, figures show

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Close to one million people in the UK have been living …

Covid cases jump by 800,000 in a week
2 years, 5 months ago

Covid cases jump by 800,000 in a week

The Telegraph  

Covid-19 infections in the UK have jumped by nearly 800,000 in a week, with some parts of the country nearing the record levels seen during the spring. This is the highest estimate for total infections since mid-April, but is still below the record of 4.9 million seen at the peak of the omicron BA.2 wave at the end of March. …

‘Anti-science extremist’: Tory MP shut down for claiming Covid jabs ‘disaster in the making’
2 years, 9 months ago

‘Anti-science extremist’: Tory MP shut down for claiming Covid jabs ‘disaster in the making’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Tory MP …

Scientists fear U.K. is easing coronavirus testing and monitoring too soon
2 years, 9 months ago

Scientists fear U.K. is easing coronavirus testing and monitoring too soon

LA Times  

A lab assistant points at charts of a sequenced coronavirus sample at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in England. Britain is now ending some testing and monitoring programs, a move some scientists fear will complicate efforts to track the virus and detect worrisome new variants. After dropping nearly all coronavirus restrictions last month, Britain is now ending some of its most …

UK pledges £160m to help accelerate vaccine development
2 years, 10 months ago

UK pledges £160m to help accelerate vaccine development

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: …

UK: People with COVID in England won’t need to self-isolate
2 years, 10 months ago

UK: People with COVID in England won’t need to self-isolate

Associated Press  

LONDON — People with COVID-19 won’t be legally required to self-isolate in England starting in the coming week, the U.K. government has announced, as part of a plan for “living with COVID” that is also likely to see testing for the coronavirus scaled back. “We’ve reached a stage where we think you can shift the balance away from state mandation, …

Research into vaccines against world’s deadliest diseases granted £10m fund
2 years, 10 months ago

Research into vaccines against world’s deadliest diseases granted £10m fund

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Research into vaccines against some of the world’s deadliest diseases …

Next pandemic may be worse, says scientist behind UK's Covid-19 vaccine
3 years, 1 month ago

Next pandemic may be worse, says scientist behind UK's Covid-19 vaccine

India Today  

One of the scientists behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is warning that the next pandemic may be more contagious and more lethal unless more money is devoted to research and preparations to fight emerging viral threats. In excerpts released before a speech Monday, Professor Sarah Gilbert says the scientific advances made in fighting deadly viruses “must not be lost” because …

As Europe virus cases surge, UK plows on with its new normal
3 years, 1 month ago

As Europe virus cases surge, UK plows on with its new normal

Associated Press  

LONDON — The bars are shut in Vienna, and the Christmas market is empty in Munich, as several European nations tighten up or even lock down to combat a spike in coronavirus infections. But while Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that a “blizzard from the east” could still ruin Britain’s Christmas, many scientists say the wind is now blowing …

UK faces calls for ‘Plan B’ with virus cases high and rising
3 years, 2 months ago

UK faces calls for ‘Plan B’ with virus cases high and rising

Associated Press  

LONDON — Life has returned to normal for millions in Britain since coronavirus restrictions were lifted over the summer. “It’s critical we accelerate the booster program,” said epidemiologist Neil Ferguson, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies. Ferguson said one factor influencing the U.K.'s high case numbers was that it has relied heavily on the AstraZeneca vaccine, …

UK faces calls for ‘Plan B’ with COVID-19 cases high and rising; scientists blame waning vaccine immunity
3 years, 2 months ago

UK faces calls for ‘Plan B’ with COVID-19 cases high and rising; scientists blame waning vaccine immunity

Firstpost  

Studies have suggested that vaccines’ protection gradually wanes over time. Millions of people in Britain are being offered booster shots, but critics say the program is moving too slowly London: Many scientists are pressing the British government to reimpose social restrictions and speed up booster vaccinations as coronavirus infection rates, already Europe’s highest, rise still further. “It’s critical we accelerate …

Report says UK's slow coronavirus lockdown cost thousands of lives
3 years, 2 months ago

Report says UK's slow coronavirus lockdown cost thousands of lives

India Today  

Britain's failure to impose a lockdown in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic cost thousands of unnecessary deaths and ranks among the country's worst public health blunders, lawmakers concluded Tuesday in the nation's first comprehensive report on the pandemic. "The report it's produced is laughable and more interested in political arguments about whether you can bring laptops to.meetings than …

UK's failure to impose lockdown in early days of COVID-19 cost thousands of lives, says report
3 years, 2 months ago

UK's failure to impose lockdown in early days of COVID-19 cost thousands of lives, says report

Firstpost  

Lawmakers said their inquiry was designed to uncover why the UK performed “significantly worse” than many other countries during the initial period of the pandemic. London: The British government’s failure to impose a lockdown in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic ranks among England’s worst public health blunders, lawmakers concluded on Tuesday in the country’s first comprehensive report on …

United Kingdom counts on vaccines, ‘common sense’ to keep coronavirus at bay
3 years, 3 months ago

United Kingdom counts on vaccines, ‘common sense’ to keep coronavirus at bay

India TV News  

Britons are encouraged these days- though in most cases not required- to wear face coverings in crowded indoor spaces. For critics, that image encapsulates the flaw in the government’s strategy, which has abandoned most pandemic restrictions and is banking on voluntary restraint and a high vaccination rate to curb the spread of the coronavirus. “The story of this government in …

UK must not take its ‘eye off the ball’ as Covid could roar back, experts warn
3 years, 4 months ago

UK must not take its ‘eye off the ball’ as Covid could roar back, experts warn

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK must not take its “eye off the ball” with …

England lifts Covid curbs as scientists warn of surge in cases
3 years, 5 months ago

England lifts Covid curbs as scientists warn of surge in cases

India Today  

The British government on Monday lifted pandemic restrictions on daily life in England, scrapping all social distancing in a step slammed by scientists and opposition parties as a dangerous leap into the unknown. Jonathan Ashworth, the opposition Labour party's health spokesman, said the government was being "reckless", echoing experts who say the reopening endangers global health. "We could get to …

UK Covid restrictions: Scientists condemn ‘dangerous and unethical’ reopening plans
3 years, 6 months ago

UK Covid restrictions: Scientists condemn ‘dangerous and unethical’ reopening plans

CNN  

CNN — Calling it a “dangerous and unethical experiment,” more than 4,000 scientists, doctors, nurses and other professionals signed a letter published Wednesday condemning the British government’s plans to drop most pandemic control measures in England on Monday, July 19. Our young have already suffered so much in the past year, and are now being condemned to suffer the consequences …

Analysis: Has the government done all it can to help us ‘live with the virus’?
3 years, 6 months ago

Analysis: Has the government done all it can to help us ‘live with the virus’?

The Independent  

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UK records over 10,000 virus cases for first time since Feb
3 years, 6 months ago

UK records over 10,000 virus cases for first time since Feb

Associated Press  

LONDON — The U.K.'s latest surge in coronavirus infections gathered pace Thursday with new confirmed cases rising above 10,000 for the first time in nearly four months as a result of the spread of the more contagious delta variant. The government’s chief medical adviser, Professor Chris Whitty, said the height of the current surge is “still uncertain” but that it …

UK's health minister denies claim he lied amid the pandemic
3 years, 6 months ago

UK's health minister denies claim he lied amid the pandemic

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy British Health Secretary Matt Hancock …

Scientists warned 820,000 could die in UK from coronavirus, Matt Hancock reveals
3 years, 6 months ago

Scientists warned 820,000 could die in UK from coronavirus, Matt Hancock reveals

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The government was warned in January last year that as many …

Vaccine misinformation travels many times faster than Covid – and it will continue to cost lives
3 years, 7 months ago

Vaccine misinformation travels many times faster than Covid – and it will continue to cost lives

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Global equitable access to coronavirus vaccines …

No relation to reality: UK PM brushes off ex-aide' claims that govt delays caused huge Covid toll
3 years, 7 months ago

No relation to reality: UK PM brushes off ex-aide' claims that govt delays caused huge Covid toll

India Today  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday brushed aside allegations from his former chief aide that his failings had caused tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths from COVID-19, saying "some of the commentary" bore no relation to reality. "Some of the commentary I've heard doesn't bear any relation to reality," Johnson told reporters, saying the public wanted the government to …

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