Why I think the UK government has an inadequate strategy (medical)
For a few weeks they have been talking about controlling the spread and flattening the curve of the outbreak. Some mentioned a so-called 'herd immunity' strategy.
In recent days, they have u-turned and are now (slowly) adopting a similar strategy to most other European countries with shool closures and extra distancing measures etc.
They say that this is because new evidence has come to light, which is transparently false because the evidence has been the same for weeks. What they seem to have realised is that our (already stretched and underfunded) National Health Service cannot cope with the demand spike which is am explicit part of the Government's own strategy. Hospital workers I know say they are already stretched with virus patients and testing. This is like being overwhelmed by a mid-sized wave when you can see a tsunami approaching.
The government is putting up more nhs money but the capacity provided is inadequate. Still too few people are being tested and some hospitals are reporting shortages of things like gloves and face masks. The government has *suggested* that uk manufacturers switch to make ventilators to cope with the shortage but doing so is no simple process. It requires different parts and different machines!
As with everything else, our government is behind the curb when major and decisive action is needed. The virus is already here and is soon to explode. I do not believe the country is anywhere near ready.
Perhaps fault lies with the UK science advisors more than the politicians but the public deserve a proper explanation for why our response has been so different to other countries, and from the scientists of those countries.
Their response to the economic situation is also inadequate and Im gonna post about that soon.
In recent days, they have u-turned and are now (slowly) adopting a similar strategy to most other European countries with shool closures and extra distancing measures etc.
They say that this is because new evidence has come to light, which is transparently false because the evidence has been the same for weeks. What they seem to have realised is that our (already stretched and underfunded) National Health Service cannot cope with the demand spike which is am explicit part of the Government's own strategy. Hospital workers I know say they are already stretched with virus patients and testing. This is like being overwhelmed by a mid-sized wave when you can see a tsunami approaching.
The government is putting up more nhs money but the capacity provided is inadequate. Still too few people are being tested and some hospitals are reporting shortages of things like gloves and face masks. The government has *suggested* that uk manufacturers switch to make ventilators to cope with the shortage but doing so is no simple process. It requires different parts and different machines!
As with everything else, our government is behind the curb when major and decisive action is needed. The virus is already here and is soon to explode. I do not believe the country is anywhere near ready.
Perhaps fault lies with the UK science advisors more than the politicians but the public deserve a proper explanation for why our response has been so different to other countries, and from the scientists of those countries.
Their response to the economic situation is also inadequate and Im gonna post about that soon.
41-45, M
