Read on Twitter
We were told Test and Trace was going to stop us going into lockdown. It failed. More than once
For the last year I've covered its twists, turns and Excel accidents
This is what it looked like at the time https://news.sky.com/story/covid-crisis-did-test-and-trace-miss-people-12212240
For the last year I've covered its twists, turns and Excel accidents
This is what it looked like at the time https://news.sky.com/story/covid-crisis-did-test-and-trace-miss-people-12212240
To write this piece I went through all my coronavirus coverage for the last twelve months. A weird experience
Here's a thread of some of those pieces. Like one of those end of year threads, but (because time has lost all meaning) in mid-February
Here's a thread of some of those pieces. Like one of those end of year threads, but (because time has lost all meaning) in mid-February
1. In late March I broke the news that the government was planning on contact tracing app. It was so new back then that I called it "contact tracking" https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-govt-set-to-release-contact-tracking-app-which-detects-nearby-virus-carriers-11966243
2. Also in late March I revealed that the NHS had signed a data analysis contract with Palantir. This might end up being more significant in the long term than the app https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-nhs-unveils-data-platform-to-track-beds-staff-and-ventilators-11964216
(Actually I think @LeoKelion and @halhod got there before me with Palantir. I remember we all published our stories within an hour of each other)
3. Testing took a while to get going. In mid-April I found out that the national testing centre was only conducting 1500 tests a day. Although looking back the real interest in this piece is the leaked emails about how the testing system was planned https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-national-coronavirus-testing-centre-only-conducting-1500-tests-a-day-11971991
4. I must have done roughly a million stories on coronavirus data, but this one stands out. My long read with @EdConwaySky on the inside story of the testing data https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-the-inside-story-of-how-uks-chaotic-testing-regime-broke-all-the-rules-12022566
5. After the first app was cancelled, I wrote this long read on what happened. I would change a few things given what I know now, but it stands up pretty well, I think https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-the-inside-story-of-how-government-failed-to-develop-a-contact-tracing-app-12031282
6. Thanks to all the contact tracers who've spent so much time talking to me over the last year
This story about translation services led to some change inside Test and Trace, although probably not enough https://news.sky.com/story/english-only-test-and-trace-failing-to-contain-virus-12014530
This story about translation services led to some change inside Test and Trace, although probably not enough https://news.sky.com/story/english-only-test-and-trace-failing-to-contain-virus-12014530
7. Thanks also to the directors of public health who've patiently explained to me the gap between rhetoric and reality
This interview with @Lisa_McNally1 was especially telling https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-sandwell-council-sets-up-own-contact-tracing-system-amid-anger-with-governments-version-12038597
This interview with @Lisa_McNally1 was especially telling https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-sandwell-council-sets-up-own-contact-tracing-system-amid-anger-with-governments-version-12038597
8. In August I took a break from covid to work on the exam algorithm
This was actually a real thing that happened https://news.sky.com/story/a-levels-exam-regulator-ignored-expert-help-after-statisticians-wouldnt-sign-non-disclosure-agreements-12049289
This was actually a real thing that happened https://news.sky.com/story/a-levels-exam-regulator-ignored-expert-help-after-statisticians-wouldnt-sign-non-disclosure-agreements-12049289
9. Somehow it says everything about government in the UK that the chair of Ofqual, who was also the chair of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, owned a data firm that was involved in the mid-Staffs scandal https://news.sky.com/story/chair-of-embattled-exam-watchdog-owned-data-firm-that-was-involved-in-major-nhs-care-scandal-12054707
10. Afer the second app launched, I spent time working as unpaid technical support. I must have exchanged so many DMs with people panicking about this false alarm. You're welcome, Test and Trace https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-some-users-of-nhs-tracing-app-incorrectly-given-covid-19-exposure-alerts-12086225
11. Two weeks after it had launched, the contact-tracing app had been used for millions of check-ins
.. but had only sent one alert about an outbreak in a venue https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-contact-tracing-app-has-only-sent-one-alert-about-an-outbreak-in-a-venue-12099651
.. but had only sent one alert about an outbreak in a venue https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-contact-tracing-app-has-only-sent-one-alert-about-an-outbreak-in-a-venue-12099651
12. Another contact tracing app flaw. People who were told to isolate by it couldn't claim the £500 support payment
This led directly to a change of policy. Journalism works (sometimes) https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-people-told-to-self-isolate-stopped-from-claiming-500-grant-by-flaw-in-contract-tracing-app-12111795
This led directly to a change of policy. Journalism works (sometimes) https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-people-told-to-self-isolate-stopped-from-claiming-500-grant-by-flaw-in-contract-tracing-app-12111795
13. Lest we forget https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-dr-johnny-bananas-and-dr-person-fakename-among-medical-signatories-on-herd-immunity-open-letter-12099947
14. In November, I was leaked the slides laying out Test and Trace's plans for a Christmas reset
There were five simple goals
A, B, B, C and D
https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-test-and-trace-leaked-slides-reveal-christmas-reset-plans-12136538
There were five simple goals
A, B, B, C and D
https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-test-and-trace-leaked-slides-reveal-christmas-reset-plans-12136538
15. I did SO much data analysis, but this was probably the piece I found most interesting. England's lockdown lead led directly to a big spike in movement https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-how-englands-lockdown-leak-created-surge-of-social-activity-that-may-have-spread-the-virus-12137501
16. Looking back, I was also struck by this bit of analysis on the mysterious case of hospital admissions in London, which hadn't fallen during the lockdown
We didn't know it then, but the answer was the new variant https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-hospital-admissions-and-whats-happened-since-lockdown-lifted-12157342
We didn't know it then, but the answer was the new variant https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-hospital-admissions-and-whats-happened-since-lockdown-lifted-12157342
17. I filed stories on Boxing Day
https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-major-uk-testing-lab-suffers-coronavirus-outbreak-after-claims-of-safety-breaches-12172290
And New Year's Day https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-three-intensive-care-units-in-london-full-on-new-years-eve-leaked-email-shows-12177002
https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-major-uk-testing-lab-suffers-coronavirus-outbreak-after-claims-of-safety-breaches-12172290
And New Year's Day https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-three-intensive-care-units-in-london-full-on-new-years-eve-leaked-email-shows-12177002
18. Another data story, this time on vaccine projections https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-every-uk-adult-could-be-vaccinated-by-mid-july-if-these-figures-are-anything-to-go-by-12188909
19. ...and back to Test and Trace https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-contact-tracers-fired-after-test-and-trace-told-to-reduce-staff-as-case-numbers-fall-12208997
Anyway, I'll leave it there. Not sure if that was useful for anyone else, but I find it interesting (if a little painful) to go back
Thanks to everyone who's helped me over the last year. If you want to get in touch with me, my DMs are open
/ END
Thanks to everyone who's helped me over the last year. If you want to get in touch with me, my DMs are open
/ END
