Sir Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, faced repeated calls to slow down his delivery during his evidence at the Covid Inquiry. Apologizing for his enthusiasm, Sir Chris acknowledged the need to pace himself. He also condemned the abuse directed at the country’s top scientists, who were working tirelessly to implement measures to control the virus. The abuse targeted at independent scientific advisers (SAGE) was deemed “extremely concerning” by Sir Chris, and he stressed the importance of appreciating their work. Hugo Keith KC, the inquiry’s chief lawyer, requested slower answers, citing the difficulty of transcription due to Sir Chris’ rapid delivery. Baroness Hallett, the inquiry’s chair, also noticed the stenographers’ panic. Sir Chris mentioned potential threats to the availability of qualified experts for committee work and expressed concerns about the recovery of time by universities. He emphasized the significance of science’s contribution to society and called for society to show appreciation for the volunteers who dedicate their time. Mr. Keith highlighted the disgraceful behavior experienced by Sir Chris and asked for measures to prevent the negative consequences of such abuse. Sir Chris emphasized the importance of ensuring that those who engage in abusive behavior understand that their work is appreciated by the majority of the population. Sir Chris became a household name during the pandemic as he spearheaded the fight against the virus alongside the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He faced both praise and criticism from the public. The abuse directed at Sir Chris and other prominent scientists occurred amidst a surge of conspiracy theories about the virus. An individual who jeered at Sir Chris in St James’s Park last year was subsequently jailed. Recently, the inquiry’s chief lawyer, Hugo Keith KC, presented an intricate flow chart illustrating the government’s chain of command in protecting the nation from future pandemics. The chart mapped over 100 organizations involved in preparation. The inquiry aims to answer key questions regarding the country’s preparedness, response, and lessons learned from the pandemic. As many as 70 witnesses, including former health secretary Matt Hancock, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon, and Dame Jenny Harries, CEO of UK Health Security Agency, are scheduled to contribute to the inquiry. Sir Chris expressed his firsthand experience of the impact and devastation caused by the pandemic during his time on the front lines. He also discussed the coordination challenges faced by the country’s science advisory system. Seventy witnesses are expected to participate in the first module of the inquiry, which will conclude on July 20. The inquiry is not anticipated to conclude until 2026. A separate Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry is also underway. Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has expressed his commitment to the inquiry, although Wales does not plan to hold its own separate inquiry.
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