The UK's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic is set to be examined in greater detail with the upcoming release of the Covid inquiry's second set of findings. As one of the most consequential events since World War Two, the pandemic saw unprecedented measures, including lockdowns and economic support, taken to combat the virus's spread. The inquiry will offer insights into the significant political decisions made during this time, such as the implementation of lockdowns, school and business closures, and sweeping social restrictions. The core question remains: 'Did the government adequately serve the people or fall short?' asked the lead counsel at the 2023 inquiry.
More than 7,000 documents, including confidential files, messages, and emails from the era, have been released. BBC News has curated a collection of these urgent communications and handwritten notes to shed light on the decision-making processes of 2020.
The Early Warnings
On January 2, 2020, a ProMed update alerted health workers to a mystery viral pneumonia outbreak, prompting collaboration between the World Health Organization and Beijing. England's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jonathan Van Tam, forwarded this bulletin to Professor Peter Horby at Oxford University, emphasizing growing concerns. By late January, Christina Scott, the UK's Deputy Ambassador to China, conveyed the gravity of the situation akin to the SARS outbreak in 2003, citing extensive lockdowns in Hubei Province.
As the virus continued its global spread to places like Iran and Italy, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson engaged in discussions with Health Secretary Matt Hancock via WhatsApp during an England vs. Wales rugby match on March 7. Despite international concern, events like the Cheltenham Festival and a Champions League match with Atletico Madrid proceeded. Advisers recommended containment strategies followed by a 'delay phase' to manage hospital capacity through pandemic transmission.
Escalating Concerns
The virus spread faster than expected, raising alarms among scientists. On March 13, a pivotal meeting of scientific advisers emerged, with one official noting in all caps, 'WE ARE NOT READY,' while another replaced it with a stronger term. Simultaneously, Dominic Cummings, the Prime Minister's Chief Adviser, convened multiple meetings to formulate a new strategic response.
The release of these documents and communications offers a window into the intense decision-making processes within the UK government during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.