We have the highest death rate per capita in the world and we're an island!
Things I would have done/wanted done - lock down earlier - when Cheltenham was happening and that big football match in March - many, many people were saying that we should have stopped big events, infact the FA moved to shut down events before the government. Schools too should have closed earlier, were I am, in London commuter belt, we had very low attendance in the 2 weeks before lockdown - the roads were quieter too, London recovered quickly because it was obvious before the government lockdown that things were bad - you only had to look at the news from Italy and the increase in people in hospital.
Track and trace should have been a state controlled, locally run venture - we got rates very, very low over the summer and yet they didn't even predict the increased demand for testing in September. It was a complete sham and still needs to be improved - it was a much more reliable way out than the vaccine program and has never been taken seriously by government. Seems to be a cash cow for thier donors - like so many other things.
Close schools for 2 weeks over October half term and coincide with national lockdown - crazy that the second lockdown didn't include schools.
I think many, many people thought the idea of people coming together for Christmas was complete madness.
I would not have threatened local authorities who wanted to close schools early due to local infection levels with legal action and force them open.
Opening for a day after Christmas was madness - completely irresponsible - many people felt schools open before christmas was getting risky - unions effectively forced the u-turn - why he won't work with them is just bloody minded.
Currently we have only a quarter of people with symptoms getting testing and isolating - why? because they can't afford not to work and/or can't access online shopping - Hancock has a sensible solution - £500 a week payment to isolate - they need to just do it. They also need track and trace to support with food parcels when needed - problem solved. Back it up with huge fines for any employer who behaves like the DVLA and insists on office working when it isn't needed and/or instructs people to turn off track and trace app when at work.
Vaccines have gone well, furlough scheme was a god-send for us in first lockdown and I'm sure many others - do need to extend it sharpish though. NHS have coped really well and schools are in better shape this lockdown than last - it's not all be terrible - but a lot of very poor decisions that have clearly cost too many lives.
Reading through our school contacts record today the number of kids with close family in hospital or recently bereaved is heart-breaking.