1/ We had a go at unpicking the early days of the crisis from the newly released minutes of Sage. Far from the complete story I'm sure but gives a new perspective. Ultimately a decision to go public saved the day... @sneweyy https://twitter.com/TelGlobalHealth/status/1267047614396215297

2/ What remains especially unclear is the brief attempt in the 2nd week of March to pivot to a policy of sheltering the vulnerable only, deploying the herd immunity nonsense to support it. Where did that come from? Would love to be told (DM open)

3/ Seems to me three things could have made all the difference: better oversees data/intel early on (FCO); a pandemic strategy that took on board the evidence from Sars, Mers and Imperial on 'suppression' (DHSC); proper public health infrastructure (PHE).

4/ The Lansley 'reforms' which split public health, NHS and social care, allowing @DHSCgovuk to sit back holding purse strings and ability to veto while ducking responsibility is the system problem

5/ There is also an issue with "evidence based" approach v data driven decision making. The former retards imperfect but necessary early intervention in crisis situations. It's better suited to medicine than public health

6/ Sage analysis here and is open to all like all our global health security content https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/road-lockdown-sage-minutes-reveal-best-worst-whitehall/