Sir, – I welcome the news that we are to have a review of our management of the Covid-19 pandemic (“Coalition plans Covid inquiry by ‘mid-year’”, News, February 28th). It is important that this occurs as quickly as possible while memories and perspectives are fresh, as these will inform future approaches to the next pandemic or an equivalent public health emergency.
With the passage of time and a greater knowledge of the epidemiology and biology of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, most would accept that some decisions, while well-meaning at the time, were mistaken, unnecessary and had unintended adverse consequences. It is also important, however, to reflect on the many decisions taken that were appropriate and greatly helped this country to manage the pandemic with less loss of life than in some other countries. We need to learn from both sets of decisions.
In a democracy, it is difficult not to support the mantra of openness and transparency when considering an investigation carried out in the public interest. Nonetheless, a degree of caution might be advised in this instance before rushing in to a public inquiry. For such an inquiry to be most effective and comprehensive in coming to conclusions, it is important that those involved are provided with an environment that is comfortable, non-threatening and conducive to them being honest in contributing their opinions and experiences, as well as when telling their stories.
For many, it will be an emotional and stressful experience that would be more difficult in a public forum, with the fear that statements or assertions might be used to scapegoat individuals, agencies or institutions. An alternative would be to appoint a panel with the necessary expertise and credibility, whose integrity is beyond reproach, to investigate in closed sessions where they can interview all those contributing. This might help us to understand better what happened, how decisions were taken, which ones proved effective, and which were unnecessary and or caused avoidable hardship.
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It is imperative that we learn from the many and extraordinary individual and collective experiences of the pandemic, to inform future approaches at all levels within society. While any inquiry must be thorough, rigorous and serve the public need to learn and know more, it also needs to be completed in a reasonable timeframe. – Yours, etc,
HILARY HUMPHREYS,
Emeritus Professor
of Clinical Microbiology,
Royal College of Surgeons
in Ireland University
of Medicine and Health
Sciences,
Dublin 2.