Coronavirus diary, Tuesday 30 June

Leicester: the first local lockdown. Photo: Sky News

I was beginning to feel sorry  for the government. The coronavirus pandemic has created enormous problems for them. 

It has called for clear thought, effective organisation, decisive action and keeping the people informed and reassured. 
But after three months their shortcomings are becoming more obvious by the day.

Every crisis becomes a drama. Every new problem creates uncertainty and, at times, panic. 

Getting schools functioning again is incredibly difficult but the way it has been handled has antagonised nearly everyone.
The travel quarantine plan, ridiculous from the start but stubbornly adhered to, seemed to have been solved by the air bridge system  - and was shaping up to be a rare success.That has gone wrong.

And now the Leicester local lockdown has again exposed the government's poor reaction and delayed action.

A serious worry  is that the almost constant criticism is not just politically motivated - the opposition seizing its chance to chip away the public trust but widespread condemnation, even by the right wing press. 

Even more damning is the latest analysis by the BBC that in all respects Britain's handling of coronavirus is the worst of almost all the countries, with the feeling it is down to the government.

One simple point about the Leicester affair.

The Mayor, a significant figure and not a politician, has complained of the lack of consultation, information and slowness of action.

As usual, the Health Secretary seems at a loss to explain or  excuse any delay.

It occurred to me this would never have arisen if there had been prompt contact and joint discussion with the Mayor and the city's health officials who know their area and people.
Would it be have been unreasonable for Mr Hancock to have taken a few hours to helicopter up to Leicester for this get together? 

At least it would would have shown a willingness to listen to local opinion  and needs and would have stifled criticism of being remote. 

The government's approach indicates incompetence and arrogance. They give the impression that they know best, that they have the answers and that their approach must be accepted. Their record says otherwise.

They have been helped over these difficult months by the  public accepting the magnitude of the task but, as can be seen in so many ways, that confidence and trust is fading.

The prime minister and his faltering team need to change, and change fast.

Instead, he is now shifting his and our attention away from the still hazardous pandemic to what he claims will be bright days ahead. 

On refection, I don't think his government deserves the benefit of the doubt arising from the handling of coronavirus.

Coronavirus diary, Sunday 28 June

It seems that Sunrise is preparing to allow visitors to return. As usual, they have given us advance notice of their plan while they await information from the Welsh government on advice for care homes.

It will be a gradual process with visitors not allowed inside the building or meeting us in our rooms, but in the garden. That could prove difficult in bad weather if visits have to be booked.

Robert, with a 250 mile round journey would have to hope for the best.

Sunrise may put up a temporary small marquee in the grounds as they did for testing staff, or meetings might be under cover in the front verandah.

As I said yesterday, no idea is trouble free. but I look forward so much to seeing family and friends again.

Zoom has been useful but it is no substitute for visits.

Yesterday we all had our second test, this time carried out by senior carers. Sunrise has always been positive and open about their plans with the residents and with our families, by email, which has made the long lockdown endurable.

It would have been so different had I been alone in the Penarth flat, unable to go out even onto the seafront and having to rely on people getting me food.

In contrast, life here has carried on very much as usual, thanks to the marvellous service and attitude of the carers and all the staff.

Coronavirus diary, Saturday 27 June

Nothing is easy or straightforward when it comes to trying to restore some normality in our life after lockdown. It needs imagination, initiative and careful planning. Bright ideas.

The trouble is that, without any past experience to go on, bright ideas often prove difficult, unworkable even. 

The latest one to be put to the test is, lets go down to the pub! It sounds fine.Nostalgic. But it can't be like that. We are in a different age. Why can't we enjoy that simple, traditional pleasure?

It won't be simple, or, probably, a pleasure. What can spoil it?
Quite a lot We won't be able to just stroll in, walk up to the bar and give our order.

If more than a handful of people arrive at the same time we will have to queue, outside, maybe, in the rain - safely spaced - until we are allowed in.

No standing at the bar; we take our place at the safely spaced just disinfected table. Either then or perhaps we can get our drinks.

The rules say we can order by app. But I have no app, no smartphone. We wait for our drinks, conversation stifled by the obligatory face masks. No crisps or peanuts. At last the beer comes, and we have our first drink at a pub for months.

Then there is another problem. We have to lower our mask to to take it. What is the point of England's one metre rule then?

According to some lawyers it would be illegal, a breach of privacy to be forced to divulge personal details - death to a no name, no drink plan. 

It can be argued that  when booking at a restaurant we give our name and address but this goes farther. Would a landlord with one or two staff have the time to carry out the government's instructions?

I am not looking forward to that sort of experience.
I would not like to be watched and punished if I broke the rules. Popping down to the Dog and Duck seems not as inviting as I thought. Even if it means escaping from home at last.

I don't think it is worth the hassle.

I think I will settle for a couple of bottles from Tesco and enjoy a quiet, if lonely drink at home.

There goes another bright idea.

Coronavirus diary, Friday 26 June

Where I came in ... my first blogpost

After one hundred of my blog posts, it's time for a brief look back over a momentous, historic three months, to those first grim days when Britain and many countries shut down.

No one knew what lay ahead. The outbreak of the pandemic caused by an unknown virus had started in China two months earlier with dramatic and devastating effect. To counter the threat, huge cities were sealed off. 

The danger was apparent, but the rest of the world seemed reluctant to act.

This changed when the outbreak became a pandemic. 
Italy was one of the first countries to experience its deadly force, with thousands of cases and a frightening number of deaths, especially among old people. China responded by shutting down whole, huge cities.

China's drastic action was followed by other countries, but Britain was slow to respond.

It was not until mid March that the prime minister announced lockdown, sending everyone home, to stay. Everything shut down. Britain became a ghost country. 

Since then there has been a combination of anxiety, foreboding and, above all, uncertainty.

Education, Personal Protective Equipment, care homes, test and trace and other issues have been endlessly discussed. 

The press has been in rampaging, campaigning mood, 
The government has tried to keep us informed with daily briefings and slogans and there have been dire warnings of mass deaths. 

Pitch perfect: Dragon's Heart Hospital, Principality Stadium

The death toll did rise alarmingly, threatening to overwhelm the NHS. To meet the threat, temporary hospitals were created around the country. In London a huge conference centre was taken over and the Principality stadium in Cardiff was transformed into an emergency coronavirus hospital.

The virus struck at the heart of the government with the prime minister  and several ministers affected.The prime minister was seriously ill, spending time  in hospital where he could have died. Although he has been back in control for months he still seems to be under par. 

The focus has now been on how to get out of the lockdown without triggering a second phase, England is being bold in getting people back to work and trying to revive the economy, July 4th is 'freedom' day with the country open for business and pleasure but the devolved countries have been cautious.
The lockdown in Wales is still on, with only minor concessions but life here will also change soon with us working and playing again. 

We  hope it is the right decision at the right time, but there are uncertain times ahead.  

Coronavirus diary, Thursday 25 June

Waking up and looking out of the window at the glorious sunshine, I was looking forward to a relaxed day - I might  even venture into the sun-soaked Sunrise garden. Then the BBC television Breakfast show spoiled my day. 

The lead story was not the usual update on coronavirus but about UV. Hot news, but chilling information.
The definition of UV: 'Ultraviolet is an electromagnetic radiation, shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays, it is present in sunlight'.

So now I know. Extending my research I found good news, and bad news.

First the bad: 'Exposure of UV can lead to premature ageing of the skin (got that already) and wrinkling' -  oh dear! mustn't look in the mirror today - and eye problems (got those, too).

The good news? UV won't kill me.

Even better and more relevant, recent research reports that it
is safe for humans and deadly for viruses - ''continuous low doses of UVC can kill airborne flu viruses without harming humans'.

I feel better already. I definitely will go into the Sunrise garden today.

That reminds me of a little poem I wrote years ago.

The sunbather's lament
To lie in the sun
by the pool
as a rule
can be fun
but beware the glare
it can thrill you
or grill you
like a steak on the griddle
especially your middle
I know that's quite true
as I've learned to rue
and you should see 
my sister's blisters!

Coronavirus diary, Wednesday 24 June

Boris Johnson announces an easing of England's lockdown

The Prime Minister's decision to relax many of the English lockdown restrictions and to opt for one metre safe distancing has opened up a yawning gap between England's approach and those of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

July 4 is being hailed as freedom day for England, implying that the other countries are still being held captive.

Life will be on a different level in England, with pubs, hotels, restaurants and hairdressers back in business and people being able to holiday in England - but not yet in Wales! - in B&Bs, cottages, camping and caravan sites. 

Cautious: Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford

Surprisingly, in Wales at least, most of us seem to accept the decision of ever cautious First Minister Mark Drakeford to hold back our 'get out of jail' date. Not all, though. 

The tourism and hospitality industries are shocked and dismayed, protesting at losing precious weeks of their already truncated summer season.

They have a point; it seems they will not be back in business until mid or late July. They are frustrated by the uncertainty and are urging the Welsh government to be definite and to give a date so they can prepare.

It is not all plain sailing for Mr Johnson, either. 

No sooner had he made the freedom announcement he muddied the water on the safe distance controversy by not making it a hard and fast rule but advising that people they should stay two metres apart and if that was not possible, one metre plus.

He might also be worried by the shot across the bows from the big guns.

The presidents of the Royal College of Surgeons, Physicians, Nursing and GPs 'are calling for a 'significant review' - why would it not be significant? - to 'properly prepare' - why the 'properly? - for the real risk of a second wave of coronavirus. 

They have, more more usefully, suggested the setting up of a cross-party group to plan ahead, something that should have been done months ago.

The government's two chief health advisers in England have added to the warning signals.

Mr Johnson, you have been warned!

Why is there such a difference of opinion about exiting lockdown?

One reason is that Conservative controlled England has an eye on the economic situation while the left have more regard for health and safety.

What is certain is that the future is uncertain, just as the whole pandemic story has been from the start.

No one knows, neither governments nor people. 

Coronavirus diary, Tuesday 23 June

The question 'should government decisions be based on what they think is good for the country or what the public want' has been debated for years. 

Now, with the pandemic forcing our government to make so many critical, life or death decisions, it has become a key issue. 

The problem is the expense of getting the public's views.

Mr Johnson and his coronavirus 'war cabinet' seem to prefer  passing the responsibility to us, spending  an unprecedented amount in the process. 

The reported expenditure is staggering. 

Two main methods are being used: polling and focus groups.
The most intensive, and costly, is mass polling, a vast daily tracking survey being conducted by YouGov, a contract worth nearly £400,000. 

It is costing £800,000 a year for two companies to run focus groups with other projects for the departments of Education, Transport and Social Services  totalling over £3 million.
The grand total - an estimated £4 million plus.

Among the questions being asked in these massive fact finding exercises: what do we think of lockdown and the way out of it, the two metre rule and how the government should promote and advertise its decisions and plans.

So, is the government leading, or following?

Its critics believe the second, with money being wasted an a vast scale.

Its supporters say it is nothing new, that all governments have done it and the scale is justified because of the pandemic.

They are convinced it is wise to make decisions backed by the public.

They may be right, but do they need to spend our money by the bucketful?
   

Coronavirus diary, Monday 22 June

Have you noticed how some news stories go on and on in the media? 

Most news is here today, gone tomorrow, but some catch the imagination of the editors.

In reporters' jargon, the stories 'have got legs', and the media hold on to them like dogs with a juicy bone.

Madeleine McCann: in the headlines after 13 years

Two stories come to mind; the abduction of three-year-old Madeleine McCann from a Portuguese hotel while her parents were out dining nearby; and a teenage motor cyclist, Harry Dunn, killed in a road accident involving the wife of a US government employee based at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire. 

The latest revelation in the Maddie case is the naming of a new suspect by the German police - a German man, a paedophile in prison there.

British reporters have hot-footed to Berlin to carry out their own investigations, finding rich pickings in the stream of detailed information briefed by the police on the suspect, stating Maddie was dead and it was murder.

They even sent the news by letter to her grieving parents.
They may be right and it could bring an end to the story, but as throughout the thirteen years there is still no certainty.
Imagine the prolonged anguish of the family.

There was even a television documentary lasting eight hours.

The case of the young motor cyclist is equally disturbing.

He was killed in a road incident last year. This story is being kept in the news with  press releases from the team advising the parents. It, too, has been picked up internationally to appeal to President Trump. 

Their campaign for justice for their son has also led to them to cross swords with our Prime Minister and two other ministers. They are demanding that the woman be extradited to face court but this is being refused as it is claimed she  she has diplomatic immunity. And it still goes on, the cost mounting. 

The British police have had a team on the abduction case for thirteen years costing the taxpayers £8 million plus funds raised privately. Money to pursue the motor cycle case has been raised privately.

Cases of abduction of children are rare and after an initial spell of high publicity are dropped from the news. 

What surprises me is how the media here, obsessed by the story, are allowed to publish so much detail. 

Not only has the latest suspect been named but lurid allegations are being made against him, The German police think they have got their man and are telling everyone.

What a change in crime reporting since my day.

We could give information about a crime but not name any suspect, and when an arrest was made reporting had to stop until it came to court. 

On major stories, like murder, reporters could spend days getting  background stories but we could not give any information that might be evidence.

I feel sad and sorry for the parents in both cases, although Harry Dunn's parents are themselves responsible for keeping alive  hopes of a prosecution.

They have had their lives shattered and are enduring years of uncertainty, speculation adding to their distress.

Coronavirus diary, Sunday 21 June

While health and the economy have been dominant themes of the crisis, an equally important subject is education.

It is being been passionately debated with conflicting views about when it is safe to open schools.

The make-do-and-mend teaching efforts over the past three months have proved a poor substitute for what will be a lost six months. 

Difficulties: Gavin Williamson

The Education Secretary for England, Gavin Williamson, has already had difficulties - parents' reluctance to send their children to school too soon, the opposition of teachers' organisations and obstinacy of some local authorities, ,and again he is accused of poor organisation and failing to give clear instructions and advice.

His original plan to get schools in England operating this month failed and he is at risk by asserting that all schools will be open and running in September.

Weeks have been slipping past with children steadily falling behind in their work and with many losing their  enthusiasm to go back to school.

Private schools have shown initiative and skill  providing high class tuition by internet with teachers continuing lessons with their pupils. 

With the summer holidays looming, the new plan is summer camps which the Daily Mail said were 'so kids of parents can have a break before schools reopen in September'. 

The Prime Minister differs. To him they represent a 'massive catch up operation by offering lessons and activities' with an army of  volunteers assisting.

Like all the government's initiatives it has run into trouble. 
Judith Blake, chair of the Local Government Association's children and young people's board, said there had been no consultation and the scheme had not been clearly explained.  

The plan to have all pupils back in September, with rigid rules on distancing, is also likely to prove difficult, especially for secondary school pupils.

Once again this country has been accused of  muddling along, of not following other countries whose return to school plans seem to be working well. 

While the loss of six months schooling is obviously serious for most children and probably life changing for some, by far the worst affected are the teenagers about to go to university.

It is a sorry fact that it is the youngest generation hardest hit.
My generation had to adapt, survive and even flourish; it is  they who will have to deal long term with the drastic social and economic changes caused by the pandemic. 

They face a much more difficult life than we did. 

They need all the help and encouragement we can give them to cope with the challenges ahead.

Coronavirus diary, Saturday 20 June

Welcome news from the First Minister

'The end of the lockdown is in sight'. 

Welcome words from Mark Drakeford, the First Minister, giving the most positive news so far. 

With infection levels across Britain falling and the alert level reduced from four to three, a return to something approaching normal life is imminent.

Mr Drakeford indicated, with his usual touch of caution, 'if it is safe to do so', that in two weeks time we will be able to go as far as we like, when like, to do what we like. Freedom! 

Except, of course, the elderly the vulnerable and, like me, care home residents. We have to be more patient. 

All children in Wales will go back to school on 29 June. We can go into churches for private prayer.

Shops in Wales reopen next Monday and people can enjoy outdoor sport including tennis. 

Professional football is back, with Cardiff City, still with a chance of promotion to the Premier League, playing their first game for months on Sunday, against front runners Leeds United.

It will be  strange, no crowd, no atmosphere. No Clarks pies! 
Not like the happy times when Robert and I watched from the directors' box and  enjoyed a half time drink in their restaurant.

A first hesitant move to salvage the summer tourism season is the opening of bookings from 18 July for outdoor attractions and self contained holiday accommodation but no date yet for reopening pubs, restaurants and  hotels.

Hairdressers, too, are still waiting for permission to open up.
In England, laws are planned to allow pubs to sell take-away drinks and to serve outside on pavements. As expected, there have been  immediate objections.

Looking out of my window into Cyncoed Road I see a livelier scene than for months; more cars, cyclists and pedestrians. 
It all looks more purposeful, energetic, as though we are all waking up from some nightmare.

Coronavirus diary, Friday 19 June

We probably have all put off making decisions, especially important ones.

I remember in my office days putting the most difficult subject at the bottom of my daily jobs list.

Over the years British governments have made procrastination an art form. 

How? By ordering reviews, royal commissions and, the modern approach, public inquiries.

An early example: Lord Denning's report on the Profumo scandal, 1963

Our prime minister and his cautious ministers have excelled themselves in the battle against coronavirus.

Scarcely a week goes by without a decision being put off -  to use current jargon, they have kicked the can down the road or into the long grass.

The latest 'let's play for time' ruse is over the vexed two metre distance rule.

The PM has ordered an enquiry, to report its findings in two weeks. This, despite being bombarded with advice and the experience of other countries.

Then, no doubt, he will dither over his decision.

Our political history provides countless examples of the call an enquiry technique.

In modern times public inquiries have been the most popular, and effective way for governments of all political hues to play for time.

They have offered months, even years of respite. In the past fifty years there have never been fewer than nine running in one year.

According to the Institute for Government, between 1990 and 2019 sixty nine were launched, compared with thirteen  in the previous thirty years, at a total cost of more than £630million - and not all published their cost.

The peak year so far, 2010 saw thirty. 

Public inquiries, recognised legally by the Inquiries Act of 2005, are notoriously slow moving.

Few could match the snail like progress of the  hyponatraemia inquiry into the hospital deaths in Northern Ireland of five children which led to a new law, named Claire's Law after one of  them. That finally reported in 2018 after thirteen years.

Speaking volumes: the Bloody Sunday inquiry report

The Bloody Sunday enquiry into shootings during the Irish troubles cost £210 million.

The recent Grenfell inquiry into the London tower block fire disaster that killed 72 is the latest attempt to find answers.

All the inquiries have three basic objectives: what happened, why did it happen and how can it be stopped from happening again (what lessons can be learnt).

By far the most complex and important inquiry of all times must be the investigation into the coronavirus pandemic.
Britain's will be no doubt be one of many undertaken by affected countries.

It must not be as snail like as many in the past.

Coronavirus diary, Thursday 18 June

Another day, another embarrassment for the government.
The much vaunted trace and check system, promised to be fully operational by the end of this month, has been deferred until October, and may be dropped altogether. 

Announcing it as if with a drum roll, the Health Secretary for England Matt Hancock hailed it as a life changer.

It would be world class, he promised, and all be done in what for this government would be lightening speed. Just  like his promises on testing, it was bravado. 

While other countries have gone ahead and produced workable systems to trace and follow up people who have been in contact with confirmed cases, the British one has so far failed. 

The pilot scheme in the Isle of Wight was to have gone nationwide but, as was predicted, not enough people took part, partly because not everyone had smart phones and because some were reluctant to take what amounted to orders to self isolate. 

As usual, the government, rather than accepting responsibility for the failure, is blaming Apple for not cooperating which the company denies. 

Leading by example: Marcus Rashford

Yet another slip, minor, perhaps, but indicative of incompetence is the PM's response to the campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford for the government to restore school meals to children in England this summer.

Pitch perfect...

Announcing another screeching policy u-turn, he admitted he had not heard of it until that day although it had been headline news for days.

Even the Times has been telling him repeatedly to 'get a grip'.

The news that President Macron is ignoring his and Britain's travel quarantine rule to pop over for a chat is, well, almost laughable.

Piling up on Mr Johnson's in tray is the potent subject of schooling  -  1,000 paediatricians have warned him he 'risks scarring life chances of a generation'.

On the two metre rule, Mr Hancock puts his foot in it again, he tells us days after his boss announced an enquiry, due to report next week. 

Otherwise, there is quite a lot of good news about, the most heartening that two thirds of health authorities in England have reported no Covid deaths.

Coronavirus diary, Wednesday 17 June

Cash in the past: the pre-decimal threepence piece

Do you think cash has a future?

A long debated subject, becoming more relevant with the pandemic.

At the height of the lockdown, cooped up indoors, not allowed even to pop along to the corner shop, we could not spend a penny. 

Yesterday there were queues at the newly opened stores in England, shoppers coming away with bulging bags. Most had not paid by cash.

Dirty coins were dangerous, and with the fear of coronavirus still potent that will surely be the trend. If the end of our cash society is nigh it will be the end of a long road. 

Coins were introduced in the 5th or 6th centuries BC - the date is uncertain. Notes followed, the first £1 in 1797. 

Over the centuries  they became the economic basis of countries throughout the world.

Many favourite notes and coins disappeared - remember  farthings, guineas, sixpences, our £1 note?

A penny coin proved the most expensive so far - £72,000 at auction for a 1933 George V coin, made by the Royal Mint of which only a handful were made for ceremonial purposes.

The first £1 million cheque was signed, no doubt with a flourish, in 1904 at  the  Coal Exchange in Cardiff, then the hub of the international coal trade.

The biggest development for centuries came in 1971, the introduction of decimal currency. The 1980s saw an equally  significant innovation, debit cards, joining their 1960s wallet companion, the credit card.

The deluge of spending increased even faster when we discovered the joy of getting money from 'holes in the walls', ATM machines. 

Two years ago there were 65,000 in the UK, since when 5,000 have been removed, an 8% drop, and with more banks closing the decline will continue.

Spending our hard earned money has now been made even easier, with cards and smart phones. No need ever to dip into our pockets or purses. 

The revolution has made life easier, too, for the shopkeepers, from supermarkets to corner stores, and safer, although there are rich pickings for fraudsters and scammers via the internet.  

I would not regret the passing of our notes and coins. 

Over the past year I have not needed to spend any as my care home fees are inclusive.

I have added to Amazon's billions by regular buys painlessly deducted from my account. Other payment methods, including PayPal, make it convenient and safe to part with your cash.

I  am looking forward to getting out on my scooter after lockdown to go shopping - by card. 

Royal Mint staff from London visit the site of the new Mint in Wales

Another step towards the death of cash, and perhaps, in time, the closure of Britain's Royal Mint at Llantrisant.

Coronavirus diary, Tuesday 16 June

The death of the black American George Floyd has led to mass protests in the USA and Britain. 

London protests. Photo: Twitter, Benny Hunter via ITV

In London many thousands, ignoring the lockdown, poured into the city centre.

And, unsurprisingly, a peaceful demonstration developed into a violent confrontation, a battle, between hooligans and violent activists and hundreds of police officers.

An all too familiar story.

I have never joined a protest march and never would, whatever my feelings on any subject, but I was once involved in one.

I was public relations officer for Hounslow Borough Council when a massive new council housing development was under way. 

The workers were on strike, demanding action by the council. Having lost patience with us, they organised a march on the town hall, setting off with drums beating, home made placards held high.

It was a frightening scene outside the town hall with hundreds milling around. Even more frightening for me when my boss, the chief executive, Don Mathieson told me to go down and tell them he would discuss their grievance with a small group.

The leader chose six whom I escorted up to the mayor's office where my boss was waiting.

As soon as the angry men sat down he played his trump card. Going to the mayor's well stocked drinks cabinet he produced a bottle of scotch.

'Come on, lads', he said, 'let's see what we can do'.

The men eagerly accepted large glasses of whisky. An hour later, reassured by promises of council action, the men left to report to their workmates.

Satisfied, they marched back to work. 

A brilliant example of public relations, crisis management, but I don't think it would work with a riot in Westminster.

Coronavirus diary, Monday 15 June

The extent of the tragedy of Britain's care homes during the coronavirus crisis and the reason behind it are set out in a damning report from the National Audit Office into the situation in England.

First, the facts. To date over 30,000 care home residents have died in the UK, almost a third of the total toll. 

The reason, says the report, is the lack of preparation, going back over twenty years when the need to integrate the HHS with social services was recognised. 

Since then, says the report, there have been 12 government white papers, green papers and consultations and five independent reviews (not a partridge, in a pear tree?).

No action. As a result Britain was unprepared for the coronavirus crisis with care homes the worst victim. At the start of the pandemic, 25,000 untested residents were discharged from hospital to homes where infection spread like wildfire. 

Meg Hillier, chair of the Commons public accounts committee, said homes were at the back of the queue for PPE and testing. Residents and staff were an afterthought, yet again out of sight and out of mind'.

One result of the failure to prepare for the crisis, says the report, was the lack of data from social care, with about 20,000 individual suppliers. Only a fraction of supplies needed reached the homes from central stocks.

Frontline health workers had been badly let down by the government, Ms Hillier said.

Public health services have changed over the years. 
When I was a reporter, county councils and urban district councils in Wales had much greater responsibility, through Medical Officers of Health and District Public Health Inspectors. 

I used to report meetings of the Penarth mothers and babies  and child welfare committees.

Conversely, in the 1960s, when I was working in local government, integration  of departments with chief officers, including child care and care for the aged, took responsibilities away from local authorities. 

Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, responding to the report, said it was extraordinary that no-one seemed to recognise the risk to care homes, pointing out that Hong Kong and Germany had moved to safeguard theirs weeks earlier. 

Over the wasted  past twenty years the subject has been 'kicked into the long grass' time after time. Perhaps the next enquiry will be heeded and lives saved.