Thread by @globalhlthtwit

The story so far. About the failure of public health. Not masks. Look at the death rates in China (pop 1.4bn), Vietnam (100m), USA (340m) and UK (68m). Yes, you cannot see the death curves in the first two because they are so low. (1)

Our leaders/advisers said you cannot suppress this virus. China and Vietnam did. Then they said these countries will inevitably face a huge second wave. They haven't - just smaller outbreaks that they jump on with good public health implemented by people on the ground. (2)

We were forced into prolonged national lockdowns. Hugely damaging to livelihoods, the economy and mental health. None of the Asian states had national lockdowns, only local ones. Their economies had ten times less damage. (3)

Then our leaders/advisers set up a privatised, call centre public health system quite unlike anything the many successful Asian and other states did. And separate from our unfunded local public health teams. It couldn't possibly work. It didn't. (4)

They refused to give any financial support to poor people in case "they gamed the system". So poor families had to game the test and trace system so they could keep working. Without 'national lockdowns' the virus just spread. (5)

But leaders/advisers stuck throughout to their belief that waves could not be controlled or suppressed. We could only have huge modelled waves and long national lockdowns until we got a vaccine. (6)

The vaccine arrived with a huge wave of nationalistic fervour. We are 'world-beating'. This time, luckily, the NHS stepped in to roll-out the vaccines. But local authorities and public health remained deprived of any financial support while £38 billion went private. (7)

The £38 billion spent on consultants, cronys, private test companies, and an array of unapproved tests, is equivalent to ten years of funds for the whole UK public health programme. (8)

The third lockdown now ends in a staggered roadmap. Sir Patrick Vallance is alone in saying find, test, trace and isolate is crucial when case rates fall to low levels. In May cases fall to 1800 per day. But no changes r made to an ineffective system. So another wave begins. (9)

July 19 'freedom day' we shall have 50,000 cases per day say the leaders/advisers. But we can now 'live with the virus' because we are all vaccinated. Well, except children. And actually, only about half are fully protected with vaccines. Yes, admissions +deaths will go up. (10)

Vaccine escape science is ignored. Long Covid kept quiet. And its fine for 8.8 million children to be infected. Even though every other wealthy country is vaccinating them because benefits clearly outweigh the risks. No, lets give kid's vaccines to Africa say advisers. (11)

But the UK government already hosted a G7 meeting in Cornwall at which people hoped they will solve the global vaccine shortage. President Biden says share the patent with all countries so they can make the vaccine. Er... No say the UK, Germany and Canada. (12)

Yes, 95% plus of the money to develop the vaccines came from the public purse. But No we must protect the shareholders of big pharma companies. So a million people must die every month to sustain free markets. New variants must emerge so Big Pharma can make new vaccines. (13)

And no new G7 money is committed to Covax. And the main AZ franchise in India has its exports blocked. So Nepal, Bangladesh and the whole of Africa have virtually no vaccines. Tens of thousands die. Covax grinds to a halt. Cornwall superspreads. (14)

In the UK libertarian public health 'living with the virus' means that we must not compromise people's freedom to do what they like. If they prefer to cough and sneeze in a crowded train of commuters who must go to work, so be it. (15)

Altruism must die. Because our banker health Minister is devoted to a dead, liberalist philosopher and screenwriter called Ayn Rand who once wrote a diatribe called 'The Virtue of Selfishness'. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. (16)

If more porters, nurses, doctors, care workers, bus drivers, factory workers must be infected and die, so be it. Because there is nothing we can do. We must 'live with the virus' and show the world how Britain knows best. (17)

The NHS staff get a pay cut. 1% rise with 2.5% inflation, a pay cut. They must understand there are other priorities. A new SERCO contract. A £250 million royal yacht. (18)

And no one is accountable. Politicians say they follow the science. Advisers say Ministers must decide. No public inquiry, no resignations, a merry-go-round of Birthday Honours and George Crosses. Let's all forget about it and 'live with the virus'. Watch the football. (19)

So that's what I'm doing. Fully vaccinated I contracted Covid a week ago. Not pleasant. Isolating. And listening to the radio, to experts who say we're in 'the endgame', how well we've done, we can get back to normal. Er.. and wear a face mask if you're worried. (20)