We might have all been millionaires with the wisdom of hindsight. The early COVID-19 story could have been less tragic, if we knew what we know now. A non-partisan committee of UK parliamentary representatives left no holds barred, when it criticized government handling of the early pandemic. As UK MPs criticize delays in confronting COVID, we are left feeling relieved we are not in government.
UK MPs Criticize Delays in Confronting COVID Right Away
The non-partisan committee was in no mood to let their government off the hook when they wrote their report. They described the failure to stop COVID spreading early as ‘one of the worst ever public health failures’.
However, they did soften the blow by saying scientists were convinced achieving herd immunity by infection was the right strategy. But the unfortunate delay in imposing early lockdowns cost thousands of lives, especially in aging, sheltered communities.
That said, the MPs were in agreement the vaccination rollout was ‘one of the most effective initiatives in UK history’. We should add the report relates to actions taken in England, one of four members of the union. And therefore the finding has no direct bearing on events in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
What Can We Learn With an Eye on the Future?
COVID-19 will not be the last viral pandemic to threaten humankind. Our burgeoning population, especially in developing nations makes spread control increasingly difficult. The UK MPs are already calling the current pandemic ‘the biggest peacetime challenge for a century’.
The non-partisan report holds the early failure was the result of government ministers and scientists prematurely converging on a single strategy. This then snuffed out possibilities of earlier lockdowns, border controls and test and tracing.
Perhaps we should not stop short and only criticize UK government delays in confronting COVID, as was the MP’s remit. This seems more likely a case of people in glass houses not throwing stones. Because which government can claim to be completely innocent of similar oversights?
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