“Spreadsheets”, “phone calls” and “people reading off scraps of paper onto whiteboards” constituted the government’s approach to data in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.
The low-tech handling of vital statistics was branded a “mess” and a “shitshow” by senior figures at the heart of Downing Street, who also appear to have accused former health secretary Matt Hancock of “get[ting] away with throwing… random graph[s]” at prime minister Boris Johnson. There were also concerns raised that Johnson would be “winging it” without better briefings.
It has prompted concerns Britain could find itself in “real trouble” if it does not continue the best practice adopted during the virus outbreak.
