1/n

THREAD: #SARSCov2 insights from @devisridhar.

Initial objective was to collate a timeline for myself, then I thought it may be useful to others too.

I intended to capture one item for each month, but some months were so packed the thread grew 🙃

Brief summary at end.
2/n
JANUARY 16th

“Take it seriously [...] over-responding is better than delaying action.”

Advice from 16th Jan is still just as relevant today as the basis for an ongoing national response. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1217877514149879808?s=20
3/n
FEBRUARY 9th

“If praising is the cost, it's worth paying for the benefit”

As governments criticised close relationship between China & WHO, a clear explanation why diplomacy was needed for the betterment of global understanding and response. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1226549641254182912?s=20
4/n
MARCH 13th

“Part of my job is speaking truth to power. And the UK govt is (in my view) getting it wrong.”

As UK gives up testing and ignores large gatherings @devisridhar calls for: Testing/tracing, stopping large gatherings, clearer advice on risk. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1238381438623518721?s=20
5/n
MARCH 14th

“Speed is of the essence [
] this is what Taiwan has taught us.”

Interview from 14th March calls for testing, protecting health workers, & early physical distancing.

NB: @devisridhar got grief for ‘fear-mongering’, but was spot on.
6/n
MARCH 15th

Repeated calls from @devisridhar for UK to learn from the empirical evidence of countries experiencing success.

It just makes obvious sense doesn’t it? Surely SAGE and UK Govt would understand this too?

https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1239212795541049346?s=20
6/nMARCH 15thRepeated calls from @devisridhar for UK to learn from the empirical evidence of countries experiencing success.It just makes obvious sense doesn’t it? Surely SAGE and UK Govt would understand this too? https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1239212795541049346?s=20
6/nMARCH 15thRepeated calls from @devisridhar for UK to learn from the empirical evidence of countries experiencing success.It just makes obvious sense doesn’t it? Surely SAGE and UK Govt would understand this too? https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1239212795541049346?s=20
7/n
MARCH 16th

Calls for UK to change course as it has **given up** on testing:
1: Resume Testing (“Test, test, test!!”)
2: Protect NHS staff
3: Buy Time https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1239594429637439494?s=20
8/n
MARCH 23rd

“We must race to make up for the time lost during two months of passivity.”

Headline warning on UK inaction:
“Britain had a head start on Covid-19, but our leaders squandered it.” https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1247780061463232515?s=20
9/n
MARCH: Side note

In March a small group (later contributing to the Great Barrington Declaration) downplayed the severity of #SARSCov2, claiming the majority of UK population was already infected & the pandemic was all but over.

They were mistaken, but still persist.
10/n
APRIL 5th

“This is my suggestion- I would be delighted to hear others and start finding a better way than lockdown/release”

A clear warning lockdowns only buy time – testing & contact tracing needed urgently to avoid future lockdown/release cycles https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1246728726177632257?s=20
11/n
APRIL 6th

Remember Qs at daily briefings?

These should’ve been asked every day until answered:

“What is UK COVID-19 strategy & what are key priority objectives?”

“What is the plan for preventing cycles of lockdown/release over coming months?” https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1247139278599094272?s=20
12/n
APRIL 8th

Future scenarios:

“Healthcare systems would still be strained, and the economic and social costs of lockdown are high. Repeated lockdowns could lead to mass unemployment, an increase in child poverty and widespread social unrest.” https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1247906897992331267?s=20
13/n
APRIL 11th

*Aggressive* Test Trace Isolate goals explained in clip from C4 News.

After all this time does the UK government now have this capability as an effective tool?
Sadly, nope.

(Note there is a link to the full C4 clip in quoted tweet) https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1249302450403713029?s=20
14/n
APRIL 22nd

Crunching the curve is better than flattening it.

https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1252861144428982282?s=20
15/n
APRIL 22nd

False dichotomies (still seemingly going strong to this day!) https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1252897742260785152?s=20
16/n
MAY 4th

As UK Government remains passive, inactive, and without strategy @devisridhar provides more insight on the urgency of learning from other countries, including further calls for truly effective Test, Trace, Isolate.

https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1257562581885222912?s=20
16/nMAY 4thAs UK Government remains passive, inactive, and without strategy @devisridhar provides more insight on the urgency of learning from other countries, including further calls for truly effective Test, Trace, Isolate. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1257562581885222912?s=20
16/nMAY 4thAs UK Government remains passive, inactive, and without strategy @devisridhar provides more insight on the urgency of learning from other countries, including further calls for truly effective Test, Trace, Isolate. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1257562581885222912?s=20
17/n
MAY 12th

Lockdown will have been for nothing without an appropriate package of Public Health measures being put in place.

We were warned for lockdown 1, it’s just as true now we are in lockdown 2!!

https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1260104489824124928?s=20
18/n
MAY 16th

Combination of tweet plus clip from Question Time.
A warning that those saying the virus will miraculously disappearing are just telling people what they want to hear, and that inevitably and frustratingly “cases will go up”. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1261699767446450177?s=20
19/n
May: Side note

The group downplaying the severity of #SARSCov2 back in March returned in May to double-down on claims the majority of UK population was already infected & the pandemic was all but over. Again.

They were mistaken again, but still persist.
20/n
MAY 24th

Cummings.
The worst thing isn’t the act, but total lack of leadership & ownership in Govt response.

No, I’ve not moved on. It’s not like I’ve been distracted by their mind-blowing Public Health response. That’s just me, Devi’s take is here: https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1264595723246538753?s=20
21/n
MAY 26th

@devisridhar takes part in the Hay Festival online. This great thread of quotes from the chat and Q&A session demonstrates vision and the exceptional clarity with which that vision is communicated. https://twitter.com/hayfestival/status/1265224911263391744?s=20
22/n
MAY 29th

A view on why continual enforced shielding is not a viable policy. This view is particularly pertinent to the problematic Great Barrington Declaration that would emerge some months later.

#JohnSnowMemo 🙂

https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1266376121374748678?s=20
23/n
JUNE 11th

“Is the worst of the pandemic behind us?”

Warnings of potential future problems, with yet more signposting to solutions within the experience of successful nations. Surely UK Govt is picking up on this by now?

https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1270962789494947840?s=20
23/nJUNE 11th“Is the worst of the pandemic behind us?”Warnings of potential future problems, with yet more signposting to solutions within the experience of successful nations. Surely UK Govt is picking up on this by now? https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1270962789494947840?s=20
23/nJUNE 11th“Is the worst of the pandemic behind us?”Warnings of potential future problems, with yet more signposting to solutions within the experience of successful nations. Surely UK Govt is picking up on this by now? https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1270962789494947840?s=20
24/n
JUNE 22nd

“How best to use July & August?”

Solutions, strategy, vision – it’s all here, just needed someone in power to take note and understand the consequences of inaction.

https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1275105182880276480?s=20
25/n
JULY 2nd

At a time when masks were at the height of polarising the US population, this is how to provide positive messaging around the benefits from the use of masks. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1278576652662996992?s=20
26/n
AUGUST 2nd

How many more times can one person spell out the actions needed and the consequences of dithering? This is entirely consistent with everything written all year – prepare to use the time wisely, then act swiftly!

https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1289829583978733568?s=20
26/nAUGUST 2ndHow many more times can one person spell out the actions needed and the consequences of dithering? This is entirely consistent with everything written all year – prepare to use the time wisely, then act swiftly! https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1289829583978733568?s=20
26/nAUGUST 2ndHow many more times can one person spell out the actions needed and the consequences of dithering? This is entirely consistent with everything written all year – prepare to use the time wisely, then act swiftly! https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1289829583978733568?s=20
27/n
AUGUST 14th

Headline speaks for itself:

“We Will Pay for Our Summer Vacations With Winter Lockdowns”

And we do now know the majority of second-wave UK cases are from strains imported from Spain. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1294156942198415361?s=20
28/n
SEPTEMBER 25th

“Economy, society & health go together. Win in all 3, or lose in all 3”.

Clip from Question Time once again highlighting the false dichotomy of Economy vs Public Health. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1309544075352252416?s=20
29/n
OCTOBER 2nd

Lancet profile highlights the deserved respect from peers won through knowledge, expertise, hard work, and caring. There is a reason @devisridhar is held in such high regard by so many great minds: they too would want her on their side. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1311938232771375105?s=20
30/n
OCTOBER 10th

As we enter lockdown 2, we know there is a better way. At what point will the UK choose it? So far Govt talk of suppression hasn’t been backed by action. If we want real progress, it’s time for that to change.

https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1314856281375739904?s=20
31/n
OCTOBER 31st

How much of the thinking so far has been all about Country A vs Country B vs Country C?

There’s a wider perspective that in the future countries will want and need to work together. Policies and conditions will need to align. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1322564770059460608?s=20
32/n
NOVEMBER 1st

“Countries may realise that the only way forward is together, and an elimination strategy (to stop community transmission within national borders) is the least-worst path through this crisis for their economies and societies”.

https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1322909947823345666?s=20
32/nNOVEMBER 1st“Countries may realise that the only way forward is together, and an elimination strategy (to stop community transmission within national borders) is the least-worst path through this crisis for their economies and societies”. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1322909947823345666?s=20
32/nNOVEMBER 1st“Countries may realise that the only way forward is together, and an elimination strategy (to stop community transmission within national borders) is the least-worst path through this crisis for their economies and societies”. https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1322909947823345666?s=20
33/n
INCIDENTAL

Amongst all the government-level public health messaging throughout this year @devisridhar has also taken time to be supportive to concerned individuals, to answer questions at all levels, and even to encourage us all to #getoutside.

Thank you for helping us all
34/n
SUMMARY:

All of the above demonstrates knowledge, expertise, leadership, and foresight on the complexities of responding to #SARSCov2; very much including the impacts from restrictions and impacts to non-Covid conditions.

THIS IS WHAT THE UK NEEDS.
35/n
Note: All of this has been delivered in the face of abuse & misogyny from trolls, and patronising mansplaining from so-called professionals.
@devisridhar has to work 10x as hard to be heard, as any woman can understand. Yet she still does exactly that for the benefit of all.
36/n
We are lucky to have many experts seeking the best outcomes for all. These are the people who should be given the opportunity to lead the UK response to this crisis

There are egos out there who see you as just a number.
And then there is a Professor of Global Health.

/end
37/n
NOVEMBER 16th

"As we approach the end of 2020, it is easy to lose sight of how much progress science has made over the past 10 months."

Optimism & realism on where we are now & just how much we've learned. Note the embedded links to further info! https://twitter.com/devisridhar/status/1328246988568203264?s=19
38/38
NOVEMBER 24th

Finally ICYMI: @devisridhar put all the above to parliamentary committee with superb clarity in only 30mins.

Essential viewing here:
https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/2ed974ab-a2d5-41be-aade-4f24cd142882

Relevant timestamps:
10:15–10:34
&
10:47–11:04

Obvious lesson: Listen to Global Health expertise!
You can follow @raging_steel.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled:
Those who think consciousness raising & movement building are disconnected, or even a distraction from electoral politics have not paid attention to the history of social change.In this thread, we
Read more
The 2020s will be known as the Remote Work decadeA few predictions of what is likely to emerge[ a thread ] Third Space: Office and Working from Home will
Read more
1/29: Have you ever had a concept explained to you that helps frame complex issues you’ve been wrestling with and opens your eyes to new possibilities? A concept that I
Read more
By continuing to use the site, you are consenting to the use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy to improve your experience.