Several flaws in the UK preparations for the COVID-19 pandemic mean that the government has ‘failed’ citizens, causing more deaths and economic damage than it should.
COVID-19 Became a Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic originated in Wuhan, China. It was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020, and deemed over on May 5, 2023.
UK COVID Death Toll Amongst the Highest in the World
Almost 235,000 people in the UK died during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has released information about the country’s wrongful response.
Government Failed Their People
Britain needed to prepare for the pandemic, and its leaders let the country down through a lack of preparation, errors in planning, and bad execution.
Inquiry Released First Report
The inquiry has published its first report on the UK’s resilience and preparedness to respond to a pandemic.
First Report Prepped by Retired Judge
Heather Hallett, a retired judge, leads the ongoing inquiry after releasing the first 217-page report based on hearings that began in June 2023.
Three Phases in the Pipeline
This first report will be one of many, with three phases of dissection already in the pipeline. The first report is based on pandemic preparedness, the second phase is focused on the government’s response and the ‘partygate’ scandal, and the third phase will look at lessons that can be learned from this crisis.
Decade-Old Influenza Plan Not up to Scratch
The Chair of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, Hallett, found that the 2011 influenza pandemic was outdated and discarded almost immediately, as it wasn’t adaptable to the crisis COVID-19 presented.
Fatal Flaws in UK Strategy
Hallett said, “There were fatal strategic flaws underpinning the assessment of the risks faced by the UK, how those risks and their consequences could be managed and prevented from worsening, and how the state should respond.”
Better Prepared for Future Issues
Hallett has stressed that a pandemic may arise again, and the UK should be prepared accordingly to avoid past mistakes.
Prime Minister Speaks Out
Keir Starmer has gone public to acknowledge what was already believed: that the UK was underprepared for COVID-19 and that, thus, the policy failed the UK citizens.
The Chair Speaks Out on Her Findings
Baroness Heather Hallett has encouraged the new UK government, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, to promptly implement her ten key recommendations.
Preparations Under Way for Future Pandemics
Starmer has stated that the government will “carefully consider the recommendations” and is committed to learning lessons from the inquiry.
COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice
COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK is a group campaigning to ensure that mistakes endured during the pandemic are never repeated, lessons are learnt, and the voices of the bereaved are at the heart of the inquiry report.
7000 Bereaved Members Want Answers
Elkan Abrahamson, representing almost 7000 COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice members, commended Hallett on adopting most of their recommendations in the inquiry.
Hallett “Hasn’t Gone Far Enough”
A spokesperson for the COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK group has said that Lady Hallett “has not gone far enough” in setting out how the UK can improve previous inequalities.
Plans Need to Be Audited
The group believes that more in-depth planning is needed to improve the experienced inequalities, address health inequalities in its plans, and conduct a cross-departmental audit into the pandemic preparedness within its first 100 days.
Group Calls for a New Minister
They have also mentioned that someone must take accountability by appointing a minister of resilience and preparedness responsible for emergency response.
Future Reports to Reveal More in Due Time
It will be a matter of time to see what else is uncovered during these hearings and reports, with Hallett stipulating that “Never again can a disease be allowed to lead to so many deaths and so much suffering.”
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / I T S.