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Timeline of a National Scandal:
Oct 2016
3-day training exercise into dealing with a pandemic finds "gaping holes in Britain's preparedness". A senior former government source with direct involvement saying the findings were deemed “too terrifying” to be revealed.
Oct 2016
3-day training exercise into dealing with a pandemic finds "gaping holes in Britain's preparedness". A senior former government source with direct involvement saying the findings were deemed “too terrifying” to be revealed.
14 Sep 2017
National Risk Register Of Civil Emergencies notes “there is a high probability of a flu pandemic occurring” with “up to 50% of the UK experiencing symptoms, leading to between 20,000 and 750,000 fatalities and high levels of absence from work.”
National Risk Register Of Civil Emergencies notes “there is a high probability of a flu pandemic occurring” with “up to 50% of the UK experiencing symptoms, leading to between 20,000 and 750,000 fatalities and high levels of absence from work.”
30 Jul 2018
UK biological security strategy published, addressing the threat of pandemics. It “was not properly implemented", according to a former government chief scientific advisor Prof Sir Ian Boyd. He said "a lack of resources was to blame"
UK biological security strategy published, addressing the threat of pandemics. It “was not properly implemented", according to a former government chief scientific advisor Prof Sir Ian Boyd. He said "a lack of resources was to blame"
DAY 1
2 Jan 2020
Chinese authorities launched an investigation into a mysterious viral pneumonia which has infected dozens of people in the central city of Wuhan
2 Jan 2020
Chinese authorities launched an investigation into a mysterious viral pneumonia which has infected dozens of people in the central city of Wuhan
Day ~15
Mid-Jan
“From about mid-January onwards, it was absolutely obvious that this was serious, very serious” - John Edmunds, a professor of infectious disease modelling and a key adviser to the government.
Mid-Jan
“From about mid-January onwards, it was absolutely obvious that this was serious, very serious” - John Edmunds, a professor of infectious disease modelling and a key adviser to the government.
Day 20
21 Jan
China's health ministry confirms human-to-human transmission, and expresses anxiety about a major outbreak
21 Jan
China's health ministry confirms human-to-human transmission, and expresses anxiety about a major outbreak
Day 22
23 Jan
China implements a lock-down of Wuhan. All transport into and out of Wuhan is stopped, with no exceptions. All shops, schools, universities closed. Public transport halted. Private vehicles barred from roads - only 3 weeks from it first being recognised.
23 Jan
China implements a lock-down of Wuhan. All transport into and out of Wuhan is stopped, with no exceptions. All shops, schools, universities closed. Public transport halted. Private vehicles barred from roads - only 3 weeks from it first being recognised.
Day 23
24 Jan
Chinese doctors publish an study in the medical journal The Lancet showing "a third of patients require admission to intensive care, and 29% get so bad that they need ventilation"
24 Jan
Chinese doctors publish an study in the medical journal The Lancet showing "a third of patients require admission to intensive care, and 29% get so bad that they need ventilation"
Day 25
26 Jan
England Complex Systems Institute urges robust response. “Policy- and decision-makers must act swiftly and avoid the fallacy that to have an appropriate respect for uncertainty in the face of possible irreversible catastrophe amounts to ‘paranoia,’"
26 Jan
England Complex Systems Institute urges robust response. “Policy- and decision-makers must act swiftly and avoid the fallacy that to have an appropriate respect for uncertainty in the face of possible irreversible catastrophe amounts to ‘paranoia,’"
Day 29
30 Jan
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declares Covid19 a “public health emergency of international concern”.
30 Jan
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declares Covid19 a “public health emergency of international concern”.
Day 30
31 Jan
UK took part in four meetings where EU projects to bulk-buy medical kit were discussed. EU said the virus could require increased stocks of PPE and said it was ready to help. UK decided not to participate in EU procurement schemes to buy medical equipment
31 Jan
UK took part in four meetings where EU projects to bulk-buy medical kit were discussed. EU said the virus could require increased stocks of PPE and said it was ready to help. UK decided not to participate in EU procurement schemes to buy medical equipment
Day 42
13 Feb
Between 13 February and 30 March the UK misses a total of eight conference calls or meetings about coronavirus between EU heads of state or health ministers.
13 Feb
Between 13 February and 30 March the UK misses a total of eight conference calls or meetings about coronavirus between EU heads of state or health ministers.
Day 53
24 Feb
Briefing sent to a senior member of the Government, urging the adoption of the kind of strong precautionary measures advised in The Lancet 31 days earlier (see 24 Jan). The government response is non-committal.
24 Feb
Briefing sent to a senior member of the Government, urging the adoption of the kind of strong precautionary measures advised in The Lancet 31 days earlier (see 24 Jan). The government response is non-committal.
Day 55
26 Feb
Memo from the Government’s National Security Communications Team warns that in a worst-case-scenario half a million Britons could die.
26 Feb
Memo from the Government’s National Security Communications Team warns that in a worst-case-scenario half a million Britons could die.
Late February
Reports say Dominic Cummings outlined the government’s strategy as “herd immunity, protect the economy, and if that means some pensioners die, too bad.”
Reports say Dominic Cummings outlined the government’s strategy as “herd immunity, protect the economy, and if that means some pensioners die, too bad.”
Day 58
29 Feb
First recorded case of human-to-human transmission in UK.
29 Feb
First recorded case of human-to-human transmission in UK.
Day 60
2 Mar
Official committee set up to model the spread of pandemic flu, publishes a report predicting “over 500,000 deaths in this nation of nearly 70 million”.
Boris Johnson says that the country is “very, very well-prepared”.
2 Mar
Official committee set up to model the spread of pandemic flu, publishes a report predicting “over 500,000 deaths in this nation of nearly 70 million”.
Boris Johnson says that the country is “very, very well-prepared”.
Day 61
3 Mar
Boris Johnson said Coronavirus would not stop him greeting people with a handshake, adding that he had shaken the hands of everyone at a hospital where infected patients were being treated. He said " We already have fantastic testing systems"
3 Mar
Boris Johnson said Coronavirus would not stop him greeting people with a handshake, adding that he had shaken the hands of everyone at a hospital where infected patients were being treated. He said " We already have fantastic testing systems"
Day 62
4 Mar
Government accused of withholding information about the spread of Coronavirus after a 70% increase in confirmed cases prompted health officials to stop providing daily updates on the location of new infections.
4 Mar
Government accused of withholding information about the spread of Coronavirus after a 70% increase in confirmed cases prompted health officials to stop providing daily updates on the location of new infections.
Day 63
5 Mar
Boris Johnson floats the idea of “herd immunity” on ITV’s This Morning. He says "perhaps you could take it on the chin, take it all in one go and allow the disease, as it were, to move through the population, without taking as many draconian measures”
5 Mar
Boris Johnson floats the idea of “herd immunity” on ITV’s This Morning. He says "perhaps you could take it on the chin, take it all in one go and allow the disease, as it were, to move through the population, without taking as many draconian measures”
Day 65
7 Mar
Briefing that was sent to government ministers on 26 Feb is published. Urges immediate suspension of air travel, shutting down places where elderly or vulnerable are likely to be exposed.
7 Mar
Briefing that was sent to government ministers on 26 Feb is published. Urges immediate suspension of air travel, shutting down places where elderly or vulnerable are likely to be exposed.
Early-to-mid March
In the face of government inaction, large numbers of institutions, organisations and individuals across the UK move to cancel or postpone public events, or hold them remotely, including the Six Nations Championship and the Premier League.
In the face of government inaction, large numbers of institutions, organisations and individuals across the UK move to cancel or postpone public events, or hold them remotely, including the Six Nations Championship and the Premier League.
Day 67
9 Mar
A report from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies recommends that the UK reject a China-style lockdown. No dissension is recorded.
9 Mar
A report from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies recommends that the UK reject a China-style lockdown. No dissension is recorded.
Day 68
10-13 Mar
The government allows the Cheltenham Festival to take place, with over 180,000 people attending.
Government accused of playing roulette with the public by the Lancet. Editor calls for the ‘urgent implementation of social distancing and closure policies’
10-13 Mar
The government allows the Cheltenham Festival to take place, with over 180,000 people attending.
Government accused of playing roulette with the public by the Lancet. Editor calls for the ‘urgent implementation of social distancing and closure policies’
Day 69
11 Mar
WHO declares a Coronavirus pandemic.
The government allows the UEFA Champions League football match to go ahead at Anfield stadium in Liverpool. 54,000 people attend the game, including 3,000 fans from Spain. Spain closed its schools on 10 March 2020.
11 Mar
WHO declares a Coronavirus pandemic.
The government allows the UEFA Champions League football match to go ahead at Anfield stadium in Liverpool. 54,000 people attend the game, including 3,000 fans from Spain. Spain closed its schools on 10 March 2020.
Day 70
12 Mar
Addressing the question of banning major public events such as sporting fixtures the Prime Minister says “The scientific advice as we’ve said over the last couple of weeks is that banning such events will have little effect on the spread”
12 Mar
Addressing the question of banning major public events such as sporting fixtures the Prime Minister says “The scientific advice as we’ve said over the last couple of weeks is that banning such events will have little effect on the spread”
Day 71
13 Mar
Mass gatherings banned across the UK, but not immediately - instead, it begins from "next weekend".
Chief science adviser tells BBC Radio 4 one of “the key things we need to do” is to “build up some kind of herd immunity so more people are immune to this disease”
13 Mar
Mass gatherings banned across the UK, but not immediately - instead, it begins from "next weekend".
Chief science adviser tells BBC Radio 4 one of “the key things we need to do” is to “build up some kind of herd immunity so more people are immune to this disease”
Day 71 (2)
Professor Graham Medley, who leads the government’s disease modelling team, tells Newsnight “We are going to have to generate what is called herd immunity… the only way of developing that ... is for the majority of the population to become infected”
Professor Graham Medley, who leads the government’s disease modelling team, tells Newsnight “We are going to have to generate what is called herd immunity… the only way of developing that ... is for the majority of the population to become infected”
Day 71 (3)
Anthony Costello, former World Health Organization director, said that the UK government was out of kilter with other countries in looking to herd immunity as the answer.
Anthony Costello, former World Health Organization director, said that the UK government was out of kilter with other countries in looking to herd immunity as the answer.
Day 72
14 Mar
More than 200 scientists sign an open letter to the government urging them to introduce tougher measures to tackle the spread of Covid-19, noting the UK’s current approach will put the NHS under additional stress and “risk many more lives than necessary
14 Mar
More than 200 scientists sign an open letter to the government urging them to introduce tougher measures to tackle the spread of Covid-19, noting the UK’s current approach will put the NHS under additional stress and “risk many more lives than necessary
Day 72 (2)
6 senior health experts, including editor-in-chief of the Lancet, and professor public health at the University of Edinburgh, publish a letter in the Times, noting there is “no clear indication that the UK’s response is being informed by experiences of other countries”
6 senior health experts, including editor-in-chief of the Lancet, and professor public health at the University of Edinburgh, publish a letter in the Times, noting there is “no clear indication that the UK’s response is being informed by experiences of other countries”
Day 73
25 Mar
William Hanage, professor of infectious disease at Harvard University says "When I first heard about this, I could not believe it … assumed that reports of the UK policy were satire... "strong social distancing should have started weeks ago"
25 Mar
William Hanage, professor of infectious disease at Harvard University says "When I first heard about this, I could not believe it … assumed that reports of the UK policy were satire... "strong social distancing should have started weeks ago"
Mid-March
A Reuters investigation into the government’s response notes that “Interviews and records published so far suggest that the scientific committees that advised Johnson didn’t study, until mid-March, the option of the kind of stringent lockdown adopted early on in China”
A Reuters investigation into the government’s response notes that “Interviews and records published so far suggest that the scientific committees that advised Johnson didn’t study, until mid-March, the option of the kind of stringent lockdown adopted early on in China”
Day 77
16 Mar
The Imperial College reports report the virus could kill 510,000.
Boris Johnson says "expert modelling which suggests the approach could cut the estimated Coronavirus death toll from 260,000 to 20,000"
16 Mar
The Imperial College reports report the virus could kill 510,000.
Boris Johnson says "expert modelling which suggests the approach could cut the estimated Coronavirus death toll from 260,000 to 20,000"
Day 77 (2)
The Prime Minister urges the public to avoid all unnecessary contact and travel and to not visit pubs and theatres, but does not make this mandatory. We are now 55 days on from Wuhan being locked down.
The Prime Minister urges the public to avoid all unnecessary contact and travel and to not visit pubs and theatres, but does not make this mandatory. We are now 55 days on from Wuhan being locked down.
Day 77 (3)
We have a simple message for all countries: test, test, test. Test every suspected case” and “if they test positive, isolate them and find out who they have been in close contact with… and test those people too”, says the WHO Director General
We have a simple message for all countries: test, test, test. Test every suspected case” and “if they test positive, isolate them and find out who they have been in close contact with… and test those people too”, says the WHO Director General
Day 77 (4)
While the UK has carried out about 44,000 tests, South Korea had by now tested more than 248,647 people – one in every 200 citizens – and Italy 86,011, including anyone who might have been exposed to the virus, as well as those with symptoms
While the UK has carried out about 44,000 tests, South Korea had by now tested more than 248,647 people – one in every 200 citizens – and Italy 86,011, including anyone who might have been exposed to the virus, as well as those with symptoms
Day 78
27 Mar
In Europe, only UK and Belarus had held off implementing mandatory full or partial closures. UK schools remain open.
27 Mar
In Europe, only UK and Belarus had held off implementing mandatory full or partial closures. UK schools remain open.
Day 79
18 Mar
Editor of Lancet writes "Something has gone badly wrong in the way the UK has handled Covid-19… there was a collective failure among politicians and perhaps even government experts to recognise the signals that Chinese and Italian scientists were sending"
18 Mar
Editor of Lancet writes "Something has gone badly wrong in the way the UK has handled Covid-19… there was a collective failure among politicians and perhaps even government experts to recognise the signals that Chinese and Italian scientists were sending"
Day 79 (2)
The Prime Minister announces the ambition of carrying out 25,000 tests per day.
5,779 tests are carried out on this day.
The Prime Minister announces the ambition of carrying out 25,000 tests per day.
5,779 tests are carried out on this day.
Day 80
20 Mar
59 days on from Wuhan being closed, the government finally announces all cafes, pubs cinemas must close tonight.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer says “The country has a perfectly adequate supply of PPE” and that supply pressures had now been “completely resolved”
20 Mar
59 days on from Wuhan being closed, the government finally announces all cafes, pubs cinemas must close tonight.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer says “The country has a perfectly adequate supply of PPE” and that supply pressures had now been “completely resolved”
Day 84
24 Mar
Director of UK company that makes PPE tells BBC they’re exporting all over the world but haven’t had orders from the UK government. “We offered our services [to the UK] when this first happened and unfortunately our services wasn’t taken up"
24 Mar
Director of UK company that makes PPE tells BBC they’re exporting all over the world but haven’t had orders from the UK government. “We offered our services [to the UK] when this first happened and unfortunately our services wasn’t taken up"
Day 85
25 Mar
BBC interviews CEO of a ventilator manufacturer. “You got in touch with the government as soon as they put out the call for help a few weeks ago. What happened then?”, asks presenter Emily Maitlis. “Nothing quite honestly”, the CEO replies
25 Mar
BBC interviews CEO of a ventilator manufacturer. “You got in touch with the government as soon as they put out the call for help a few weeks ago. What happened then?”, asks presenter Emily Maitlis. “Nothing quite honestly”, the CEO replies
Day 85 (2)
The Prime Minister states “we are going up from 5,000 to 10,000 tests per day, to 25,000, hopefully very soon up to 250,000 per day.”
6,583 tests are carried out on this day
The Prime Minister states “we are going up from 5,000 to 10,000 tests per day, to 25,000, hopefully very soon up to 250,000 per day.”
6,583 tests are carried out on this day
Day 86
26 Mar
When asked why government has eased up on contact tracing and quarantining, Deputy Chief Medical Officer tells reporters “There comes a point in a pandemic where that is not an appropriate intervention"
26 Mar
When asked why government has eased up on contact tracing and quarantining, Deputy Chief Medical Officer tells reporters “There comes a point in a pandemic where that is not an appropriate intervention"
Day 90
1 Apr
Boris Johnson: "I want to say a special word about testing, because it is so important, and as I have said for weeks and weeks... This is how we will defeat it in the end"
Deputy Chief Medical Officer: "testing is a bit of a side issue to be truthful with you”
1 Apr
Boris Johnson: "I want to say a special word about testing, because it is so important, and as I have said for weeks and weeks... This is how we will defeat it in the end"
Deputy Chief Medical Officer: "testing is a bit of a side issue to be truthful with you”
Day 91
2 Apr
Chair of BMA says "Reports have been rife of shortages and large variations in the level of PPE available. Staff have also improvised masks out of snorkels, bought kit from hardware stores, and used school science goggles to protect themselves"
2 Apr
Chair of BMA says "Reports have been rife of shortages and large variations in the level of PPE available. Staff have also improvised masks out of snorkels, bought kit from hardware stores, and used school science goggles to protect themselves"
Day 91 (2)
Matt Hancock announces the government is aiming to carry out 100,000 Coronavirus tests a day in England by the end of April.
This is down from the target of 250,000 a day announced 6 days earlier.
9,793 tests carried out today.
Matt Hancock announces the government is aiming to carry out 100,000 Coronavirus tests a day in England by the end of April.
This is down from the target of 250,000 a day announced 6 days earlier.
9,793 tests carried out today.
Day 92
3 Apr
Royal College of Nursing says "Weeks into this crisis, it is completely unacceptable that nursing staff have not been provided with PPE. I am hearing from nurses who are treating patients in Covid-19 wards without any protection at all. This cannot continue."
3 Apr
Royal College of Nursing says "Weeks into this crisis, it is completely unacceptable that nursing staff have not been provided with PPE. I am hearing from nurses who are treating patients in Covid-19 wards without any protection at all. This cannot continue."
Day 94
5 Apr
Tests so far
UK 195,524
Germany 918,000
5 Apr
Tests so far
UK 195,524
Germany 918,000
Day 95
6 Apr
Inst of Health Metrics reports "the UK will become the country worst hit by the Coronavirus pandemic in Europe, accounting for more than 40% of total deaths across the continent"
6 Apr
Inst of Health Metrics reports "the UK will become the country worst hit by the Coronavirus pandemic in Europe, accounting for more than 40% of total deaths across the continent"
Day 95 (2)
Leaked recordings of a Home Office conference reveal the Government has all but given up in its fight against the Coronavirus and is intent on simply finding ‘a method of managing it within the population’.
Leaked recordings of a Home Office conference reveal the Government has all but given up in its fight against the Coronavirus and is intent on simply finding ‘a method of managing it within the population’.
Day 95 (3)
The call further implied that the Government now considers hundreds of thousands of deaths unavoidable over a long-term period consisting of multiple peaks of the disease
The call further implied that the Government now considers hundreds of thousands of deaths unavoidable over a long-term period consisting of multiple peaks of the disease
Day 96
8 Apr
The UK records 938 deaths, the highest figure yet, but certainly an underestimate, as we (almost alone in Europe) don't count deaths in care homes.
UK media coverage is dominated by none of this, but rather by the Prime Minister’s own hospitalisation
8 Apr
The UK records 938 deaths, the highest figure yet, but certainly an underestimate, as we (almost alone in Europe) don't count deaths in care homes.
UK media coverage is dominated by none of this, but rather by the Prime Minister’s own hospitalisation
Day 98
10 Apr
980 deaths, higher than any other European country to date.
BBC news leads with Boris Johnson sitting up in bed and taking short walks, and on government’s “Herculean” efforts to secure enough PPE for NHS frontline staff who are becoming infected in record numbers
10 Apr
980 deaths, higher than any other European country to date.
BBC news leads with Boris Johnson sitting up in bed and taking short walks, and on government’s “Herculean” efforts to secure enough PPE for NHS frontline staff who are becoming infected in record numbers
I take no credit for this thread. I simply copied it from here, which is fully referenced in every particular. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/04/11/a-national-scandal-a-timeline-of-the-uk-governments-woeful-response-to-the-coronavirus-crisis/
