On 22/4 @DominicRaab was asked if he’d read the Exercise Cygnus document. He said he’d have check but it wasn’t “something that springs to mind.”
Today, Victoria Atkins, admitted to @piersmorgan she’d never heard of it
Cygnus was a 2016 simulation of the impact of a pandemic.
Today, Victoria Atkins, admitted to @piersmorgan she’d never heard of it
Cygnus was a 2016 simulation of the impact of a pandemic.
Journalist: “Have you personally read the Exercise Cygnus document & has it been made available to your key scientific advisers?”
Dominic Raab: “I would have to go & check...but it's not something that immediately springs to mind.”
#COVID19 #coronavirus
Dominic Raab: “I would have to go & check...but it's not something that immediately springs to mind.”
#COVID19 #coronavirus
Victoria Atkins was also asked by @louiseminchin about findings by @BBCPanorama that there were no gowns, visors, swabs or body bags in the govt’s pandemic stockpile when #Covid19 hit UK & that govt ignored warnings from advisers about shortages in 2019.
To be fair, few of us had heard of #ExerciseCygnus until last month, but it's hard to understand how anyone following #COVID19 wouldn't be aware of it now.
Two days ago it was revealed that after Cygnus, DCMO rprtdly warned ministers about PPE shortages. telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/2…
Two days ago it was revealed that after Cygnus, DCMO rprtdly warned ministers about PPE shortages. telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/2…
Asked why the recommendations of #ExerciseCygnus were not implemented @MattHancock says he checked & was assured “everything that was recommended was done”.
@NickFerrariLBC: So everything pointed out, they acted upon?
MH: Er...That was appropriate to do.
@NickFerrariLBC: So everything pointed out, they acted upon?
MH: Er...That was appropriate to do.
Before #ExerciseCygnus, National Risk Register Of Civil Emergencies predicted 20,000+ deaths (2017) & UK Biological Security Strategy highlighted lack of resources. (2018)
Asked about Cygnus by @NickFerrariLBC, @Helen_Whately said: "Could you tell me what you're talking about?"
Asked about Cygnus by @NickFerrariLBC, @Helen_Whately said: "Could you tell me what you're talking about?"
The idea that no govt could have prepared for #COVID19 - that #coronavirus was “an unexpected & invisible mugger” - isn’t correct.
Cygnus warned us.
Intelligence reports warned us.
Scientists warned us
WHO warned us.
Italy gave us a graphic warning.
Cygnus warned us.
Intelligence reports warned us.
Scientists warned us
WHO warned us.
Italy gave us a graphic warning.
But now is not the time for blame.
It is a time for honesty, transparency & for unity.
There are massive decisions facing our country in the coming weeks.
We need sober leadship, responsible journalism and all our best scientists around the top table.
It is a time for honesty, transparency & for unity.
There are massive decisions facing our country in the coming weeks.
We need sober leadship, responsible journalism and all our best scientists around the top table.
For those arguing that #VictoriaAtkins, @DominicRaab & @Helen_Whately couldn’t be expected to know about #ExerciseCygnus, it was on the FRONT PAGE of @telegraph on 28 March.
The 2016 report warned the NHS might not cope with a pandemic but was classified as "secret". #COVID19
The 2016 report warned the NHS might not cope with a pandemic but was classified as "secret". #COVID19
