Thread by @AliHaggett

A thread. @wellcometrust kindly funded me for 13 yrs on MH projects. It’s also funded decades of research on social & economic determinants of health, long-term impacts of poverty, unemployment, stress, loneliness & isolation. I’m aghast re the lack of focus on these things 1/

What about the health impact of millions of job losses; debt of over £2 trillion & all the other physical and mental health impacts of lockdown? As professionals, clinicians, academics and philanthropic funders, are we really having a full and fair debate? 2/

Those of us working in the community are baffled by the lack of academic, scientific & governmental focus on the physical & mental health impacts of bankruptcy, poverty, despair, withdrawal of MH & disability services, domestic violence & safeguarding 3/

For simply daring to share concerns about vulnerable people suffering, we have been labelled deviant, outliers and dangerous. I hope that history will look upon us more favourably 4/

Draconian laws are more concerning coupled with blanket DNARs, fewer CQC visits to care homes & some families separated from residents for 14 months. Plus, the removal of cremation form 5, for second medical opinion on death cert., None of this acceptable prior to March 2020 5/

And, for those of us, FULLY vaccinated, inc flu shot, & broadly supportive of the clinical model of vaccination, why is it acceptable to vilify anyone who dares to ask a question about long-term safety data of the new vaccines? 6/

‘Hesitancy’ is more complex than lack of knowledge, ‘individualism/freedom’ v ‘public health’. Such judgement does not take account of those who have experienced other SERIOUS medical/drug-induced side effects. The rhetoric of social exclusion does little to build trust 7/

Concerns about #BigPharma are not unwarranted, as many of us have shown #psychopharmacology #SodiumValproate, #Primodos #MeshInjuredPatients, where ‘Concerns were simply ignored or not believed’ & serious enough to warrant a Patient Safety Commissioner. #FirstDoNoHarm 8/

Criticism of conflicts of interest are also justified. Where is the full disclosure, transparency & accountability? Why silence academics with alternative views? Where is the robust, respectful academic debate? Why accept OFCOM’s censoring of anything but the Gvt narrative? 9/

After 14 months in & out of #lockdown, #SAGE still ignoring wider range of ‘expertise'. There are multiple forms of intelligence & experience. ‘Expertise’ does not reside exclusively with scientists and in academia, but exists with those working on the ground. 10/

Thank you to the academics, professionals, clinicians & psychologists who have spoken out. This community has received unprecedented abuse, for simply caring about what we see in our work. It has been a privilege to connect with you all. You know who you are! Goodnight xx 11/

Thank you to @hartgroup_org @Dr_HarrieB @emmakennytv @jengleruk @DrDJWilde @cricketwyvern @Gilt_Elephant and SO many others.