politics
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Early 2026 Update on the UK Covid Inquiry.
Last year was an exceptionally busy year at the Covid Inquiry. Public hearings were held on no fewer than six of the 10 modules. In addition the major report of modules 2, 2a, 2b and c on political decision making was published in November 2025. This short blog focuses in the main on what has Continue reading
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Test, and Trace : Reflections on Module Seven of the Covid Inquiry
Module seven of the Covid Inquiry is of critical importance as we know that having effective testing, tracing and isolate policies is one of the keys to managing down and suppressing viruses such as COVID-19. Indeed the fact that some countries were able to draw on their experience of and infrastructures put in place to Continue reading
GILLIAN SMITH About Me
I am a semi retired social researcher and have previously held a number of senior social research positions in Whitehall Departments. See an interview with me here. I live in a London suburb with my husband who has suffered multiple serious illnesses over the last few years. I myself am living with MND.
This series of blogs represent a personal, evidence based perspective based on living in the UK at a time when we are all meant to be ‘living with COVID’. Although I am a social scientist by training, I have worked closely with people from different disciplines throughout my career in order to present a complete picture of the evidence on specific policy issues. I am therefore scientifically literate but where I quote evidence based on research beyond my particular expertise it is always validated with relevant experts. I am a member of the Clinically Vulnerable Families group, though please note that the information presented here and any views expressed are my own. We are a friendly, supportive group and can be found via Facebook in private mode or in public mode via X (formerly twitter) Or BlueSky.Social
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Living on Plague Island 