{"id":2903,"date":"2020-03-22T23:06:53","date_gmt":"2020-03-22T22:06:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?page_id=2903"},"modified":"2024-12-15T10:31:36","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T10:31:36","slug":"covid-19-and-public-health-reforms","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?page_id=2903","title":{"rendered":"Covid-19 and public health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#8b6601\"><em>BMJ covid-19 webinars, November 2020 to November 2021<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:17px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/covid-19-webinars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Co-curated for the BMJ<\/a> by Prof George Davey-Smith and Prof Allyson Pollock <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#8b6601\"><em>News<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pollock AM. <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Covid19Inquiry_2022_Pollock_Module2Rule9.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UK COVID-19 Inquiry: Module 2 &#8211; Rule 9 request<\/a>. 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>09 March 2022<\/strong>. Allyson Pollock &#8216;In Discussion With&#8217; Christine Clark (2) <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pharmacyupdate.online\/mass-testing-in-theory-and-in-practice\/\" target=\"_blank\">Mass testing &#8211; in theory and practice<\/a>. Medical Update Online, International Medical Information<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>08 March 2022<\/strong>. Allyson Pollock &#8216;In Discussion With&#8217; Christine Clark (1) <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/medicalupdateonline.com\/2022\/03\/evidence-based-public-health-covid-control-measures\/\" target=\"_blank\">Evidence-based public health: covid control measures<\/a>. Medical Update Online, International Medical Information<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-soundcloud wp-block-embed-soundcloud\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Talk Evidence - isolation periods, openness, and environmental impacts by BMJ talk medicine\" width=\"810\" height=\"400\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?visual=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F1205560120&#038;show_artwork=true&#038;maxheight=1000&#038;maxwidth=810\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">29 January 2022; from 04:50: evidence and policy responses<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Aarhus covid symposium 20 January 2022\" width=\"810\" height=\"456\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7zNlrbETUV8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>20 January 2022<\/strong>. How are we going to live with covid in 2022 &#8211; and in the future?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>07 January 2022<\/strong>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/JCVI_Letter_ChildVaccination_07Jan22.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Review of child vaccination programme: letter to Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>02 December 2021<\/strong>. Pollock AM. Presentation. <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?p=3791\">As covid continues its tour of Europe, what is the public health evidence for covid passes?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/covid-19-webinars\">The BMJ&#8217;s covid-19 webinars<\/a><\/strong> (next: 13 January 2022 &#8211; Non-pharmaceutical interventions)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>14 July 2021.<\/strong> Medicines &amp; Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/MHRA-EUA-Extension-Letter-DHSC-COVID-19-Self-Test.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Authorisation of special use of DHSC COVID-19 self-test kit<\/a>, 28 May 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>10 June 2021<\/strong>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/medical-devices\/safety-communications\/stop-using-innova-sars-cov-2-antigen-rapid-qualitative-test-fda-safety-communication\" target=\"_blank\">Stop using Innova SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Qualitative Test: FDA safety communication<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>01 June 2021.<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/FDA-2021-P-0521-0001_attachment.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Citizen petition to US Food &amp; Drug Administration: efficacy and safety measures for COVID-19 vaccines<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>31 May 2021<\/strong>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?p=3654\" target=\"_blank\">Freedom of Information requests to MHRA re DHSC lateral flow test<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>29 May 2021<\/strong>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/DHSC_20210529_MHRA_LFT.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Statement from the DHSC: MHRA approval of covid-19 lateral flow tests<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>27 May 2021<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?p=3635\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Letter to the Infected Blood Inquiry about the use of lateral flow tests<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>25 May 2021<\/strong>. Medicines &amp; Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/MHRA-Letter-DHSC-COVID-19-Self-Test_22122020_Redacted.pdf\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/MHRA-Letter-DHSC-COVID-19-Self-Test_22122020_Redacted.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Authorisation of special use of DHSC COVID-19 self-test kit<\/a>, 22 December 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>22 May 2021<\/strong>. Email to Dr June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines &amp; Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?p=3618\">Misuse of lateral flow tests<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Bethell-Wiggin_2020-12-11.pdf\">Letter from Lord Bethell to Bill Wiggin MP<\/a>. 11 December 2020<\/strong>: &#8220;We are not currently planning mass asymptomatic testing &#8230; Widespread asymptomatic testing could undermine the value of testing &#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#8b6601\"><em>Publications and reports<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine<\/strong>. <strong>31 March 2022<\/strong>. Byrne P, Harding-Edgar L, Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/01410768221089023\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/01410768221089023\" target=\"_blank\">SARS-CoV-2: public health measures for managing the transition to endemicity<\/a>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/JRSM_2022_Byrne_CovidEndemicity.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Collateral Global<\/strong>. <strong>22 February 2022<\/strong>. Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/collateralglobal.org\/article\/mass-testing-expensive-chaotic-and-wasteful\/\" target=\"_blank\">Mass testing: expensive, chaotic, and wasteful<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Telegraph. 06 January 2022<\/strong>. Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/news\/2022\/01\/06\/time-end-covid-mass-testing-especially-children\/\" target=\"_blank\">It\u2019s time to end Covid mass testing<\/a>.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Briefing note for House of Lords. 19 July 2021.<\/strong> Hayes L, Pollock AM. <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?p=3725\">Mandatory vaccination will not make care home residents safe from covid, it is unnecessary, and data underpinning the Government\u2019s case is unreliable<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ Opinion.<\/strong> <strong>11 July 2021. <\/strong>Pollock AM, Roderick P. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bmj\/2021\/07\/11\/why-all-the-secrecy-around-innova-lateral-flow-tests\/\" target=\"_blank\">Why all the secrecy around Innova lateral flow tests?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ 08 July 2021<\/strong>. Hayes L, Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/374\/bmj.n1684\" target=\"_blank\">Mandatory covid-19 vaccination for care home workers<\/a>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/BMJ_2021_Hayes_MandatoryCovid19Vaccination.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Guardian. 12 May 2021.<\/strong> Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2021\/may\/12\/test-trace-workers-government-outsourcing\" target=\"_blank\">Test-and-trace workers are paying the price for the government\u2019s outsourcing zeal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Theory &amp; Struggle. March 2021. <\/strong>Pollock AM, Harding-Edgar L. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3828\/ts.2021.10\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3828\/ts.2021.10\" target=\"_blank\">Covid-19 and public health<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/TheoryStruggle_2021_Pollock_Covid19.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/TheoryStruggle_2021_Pollock_Covid19.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ. 23 February 2021<\/strong>. Lewis SJ, Munro APS, Davey Smith G, Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/bmj.n521\" target=\"_blank\">Closing schools is not evidence based and harms children<\/a>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/BMJ_2021_Lewis_SchoolClosuresCovid.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ Opinion. 09 February 2021.<\/strong> Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bmj\/2021\/02\/09\/allyson-pollock-testing-testing-for-sars-cov-2-in-asymptomatic-people\/\" target=\"_blank\">Testing, testing&#8230;for SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic people<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ Opinion. 19 January 2021. <\/strong>Davey Smith G, Blastland M, Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bmj\/2021\/01\/19\/responding-to-the-known-unknowns-of-covid-19\/\" target=\"_blank\">Responding to the \u201cknown unknowns\u201d of covid-19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Briefing note for journalists on harm from continued rollout of the Innova lateral flow test<\/strong>. 10 January 2021. Deeks J, Raffle A, Gill M. <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/AP_2021_Deeks_LFDs.pdf\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ. 21 December 2020. <\/strong>Pollock AM, Lancaster J. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/371\/bmj.m4851\" target=\"_blank\">Asymptomatic transmission of covid-19<\/a>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/BMJ_2020_Pollock_AsymptomaticCovid19-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Med. 18 December 2020<\/strong>. Nkengasong J, Iwasaki A, Victoria C \u2026 Pollock AM et al. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.medj.2020.12.003\" target=\"_blank\">The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Med_2020_Nkengasong_GlobalResponseCovid.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>BMJ Opinion. 17 December 2020<\/strong><\/strong>. Roderick P.<strong> <\/strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bmj\/2020\/12\/17\/peter-roderick-transparency-in-approving-covid-19-vaccines\/\" target=\"_blank\">Transparency in approving covid-19 vaccines<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ Opinion. 08 December 2020.<\/strong> Roderick P.  <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bmj\/2020\/12\/08\/peter-roderick-is-it-lawful-to-require-self-isolation-after-a-positive-covid-19-test\/\" target=\"_blank\">Is it lawful to require self-isolation after a positive covid-19 test?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Briefing note on the application of mass testing in the university setting<\/strong>.<strong> 27 November 2020<\/strong>. Relton C, Raffle A, McCartney M, Deeks J.  <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/AP_2020_Relton_ApplicationMassTestingUniversity.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?page_id=3394\">Briefing on Operation Moonshot screening for SARS-CoV-2<\/a><\/strong>. 15 November 2020. Deeks J, Pollock AM, Taylor-Phillips S, Raffle AE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Independent SAGE. 13 November 2020<\/strong>. Bambra C, Hayre J, Pollock AM, Brown H. COVID-19 and health inequality. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/iSAGE_2020_Bambra_Covid19HealthInequalities.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ Opinion. 09 Nov 2020. <\/strong>Raffle AE. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bmj\/2020\/11\/09\/screening-the-healthy-population-for-covid-19-is-of-unknown-value-but-is-being-introduced-nationwide\/\" target=\"_blank\">Screening the healthy population for covid-19 is of unknown value, but is being introduced nationwide<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine<\/strong>.<strong> 28 October 2020<\/strong>. Harding-Edgar L, McCartney M, Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full\/10.1177\/0141076820967906\" target=\"_blank\">Test and trace strategy has overlooked importance of clinical input, clinical oversight and integration<\/a>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/JRSM_2020_HardingEdgar_TestTraceStrategy.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ editorial. 22 September 2020.<\/strong> Deeks JJ, Brookes AJ, Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/370\/bmj.m3699\" target=\"_blank\">Operation Moonshot proposals are scientifically unsound<\/a>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/BMJ_2020_Deeks_OperationMoonshot.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tribune. 21 August 2020. <\/strong>Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/tribunemag.co.uk\/2020\/08\/track-trace-and-the-myth-of-private-sector-efficiency\" target=\"_blank\">Track, trace and the myth of private sector efficiency<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ editorial. 20 August 2020<\/strong>. Raffle AE, Pollock AM, Harding-Edgar L. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/370\/bmj.m3262\" target=\"_blank\">Covid-19 mass testing programmes<\/a>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/BMJ_2020_Raffle_Covid19MassTesting.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Guardian. 31 July 2020. <\/strong>Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2020\/jul\/31\/outsourcing-england-test-trace-nhs-private\" target=\"_blank\">Thanks to outsourcing, England\u2019s test and trace system is in chaos<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>All Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus. 24 July 2020<\/strong>. Roderick P. <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/APPG_2020_Roderick_Coronavirus.pdf\">Submission to APPG on Coronavirus<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ Opinion. 21 July 2020<\/strong>. Khunti K, Pollock AM, Pareek M. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bmj\/2020\/07\/21\/find-test-trace-isolate-and-support-programmes-need-to-be-localised-and-culturally-tailored-to-reach-ethnic-minority-populations\/\" target=\"_blank\">Find, test, trace, isolate and support programmes need to be localised and culturally tailored to reach ethnic minority populations<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>House of Lords Science &amp; Technology Committee. 17 July 2020<\/strong>. Pollock AM. Response: The science of COVID-19, 12th evidence session (29 Jun 20). <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/AP_2020_LordsSciTechCttee_C19_S12a.pdf\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>New Statesman. 01 July 2020<\/strong>. Pollock AM. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newstatesman.com\/2020\/07\/where-did-uk-go-wrong-coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\">Spending cuts and privatisation have left us without a functioning social care system<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ. 25 June 2020.<\/strong> Roderick P, Pollock AM, Macfarlane A. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/369\/bmj.m2484\" target=\"_blank\">Getting back on track: control of covid-19 outbreaks in the community<\/a>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/BMJ_2020_Roderick_Covid19Testing.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tribune<\/strong>.<strong> 22 June 2020<\/strong>. Pollock AM, Clements L, Harding-Edgar L. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/tribunemag.co.uk\/2020\/06\/towards-a-national-care-service-2\" target=\"_blank\">Why we need a national care service \u2013 and how to build one<\/a>. .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wales Centre for Public Policy. June 2020. <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/050520-Welsh-Government-roundtable-summary-of-discussion.pdf\">Recovery from COVID-19: note of the expert roundtable on public services<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Daily Mail. 11 June 2020. <\/strong>Pollock AM. They died alone and frightened, victims of a broken system that shames us all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Advice note for Independent SAGE. 05 June 2020<\/strong>. Raffle AE, Taylor-Phillips S. Test, test, test: lessons learned from experience with mass screening programmes. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/ISAGE_2020_RussellTaylorPhillips_AdviceLessonsFromScreeningProgrammes.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Independent SAGE report<\/strong> <strong>28 May 2020.<\/strong> <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.independentsage.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">When should a school reopen?<\/a> <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/IndependentSAGE_2020_ReportSchools.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Scottish Left Review. 18 May 2020<\/strong>. Pollock AM, Harding-Edgar L. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scottishleftreview.scot\/coronavirus-crisis-underfunding-restructuring-privatisation-and-fragmentation-at-the-heart-of-the-crisis-in-holyrood-and-westminster\/\" target=\"_blank\">Coronavirus crisis: underfunding, restructuring, privatisation and fragmentation at the heart of the crisis in Holyrood and Westminster<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Independent SAGE report. 12 May 2020. <\/strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/independentsage.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">COVID-19: what are the options for the UK? Recommendations for government based on an open and transparent examination of the scientific evidence<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/IndependentSAGEFinalReport_20200512.pdf\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ Opinion. 07 May 2020. <\/strong>Coleman MP, Di Carlo V, Ashton JR, Pollock AM, Matz M, Allemani C. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bmj\/2020\/05\/07\/reliable-real-world-data-on-excess-mortality-are-required-to-assess-the-impact-of-covid-19\/\" target=\"_blank\">Reliable, real-world data on excess mortality are required to assess the impact of covid-19<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Observer. 26 April 2020<\/strong>. Pollock AM, Roderick P. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2020\/apr\/26\/to-tackle-this-virus-local-public-health-teams-need-to-take-back-control\" target=\"_blank\">To tackle this virus, local public health teams need to take back control<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Scottish Centre on European Relations. 23 April 2020<\/strong>. Pollock AM, Harding-Edgar L. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scer.scot\/database\/ident-12745\" target=\"_blank\">Coronavirus crisis: underfunding, restructuring, privatisation and fragmentation at the heart of the crisis in Holyrood and Westminster<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/SCER_2020_CoronavirisCrisis_1.pdf\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ editorial<\/strong>.<strong> 14 April 2020<\/strong>. Pollock AM, Clements L, Harding-Edgar L. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/369\/bmj.m1465\" target=\"_blank\">Covid-19: why we need a national health and social care service<\/a>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/BMJ_2020_Pollock_Covid19SocialCare.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BMJ editorial. 30 March 2020<\/strong>. Pollock AM, Roderick P, Brhlikova P. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/368\/bmj.m1284\" target=\"_blank\">Covid-19: why is the UK government ignoring WHO\u2019s advice?<\/a> Testing and tracing must resume urgently. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BMJ_2020_Pollock_Covid-19UKgovt.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">download<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Letter to BMJ: Covid-19: local implementation of tracing and testing programmes could enable some schools to reopen<\/strong>:  I am increasingly concerned about the apparent failure to implement fundamental public health measures to tackle the covid-19 outbreak\u2014specifically, community contact tracing, clinical observation, and testing &#8230; read at the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"BMJ  (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/368\/bmj.m1187.full?ijkey=NbdYBpp0CvoncvN&amp;keytype=ref\" target=\"_blank\">BMJ <\/a>(may require login) or <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?p=2938\">on this site<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>We need hands-on public health expertise to tackle COVID-19<\/strong>: The government has released its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/groups\/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response\">scientific evidence<\/a>, which sheds light on the fiasco and the catastrophe that is unfolding economically, socially, and health wise. It also highlights the lack of public health input and the decimation of the speciality and expertise in communicable disease control prior to and after the Health &amp; Social Care Act 2012. There appears to be no public health evidence from experienced physicians in communicable disease control and their teams. &#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?p=2901\">read more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" id=\"liverpool-mass-testing\" style=\"color:#8b6601\"><em>Liverpool mass testing, 06 November 2020<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?page_id=3374\"><strong>Letter of support from Doctors in Unite<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?page_id=3365\"><strong>Statement from Dr Angela E Raffle<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?page_id=3356\"><strong>Correspondence with Liverpool University re testing<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The UK has over 20 years experience of delivering evidence-based, systematic, high quality screening programmes, which deliver more good than harm at affordable cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This experience tells us that if you embark on a screening programme without having carefully evaluated it first, without a proper quality assured pathway, without certainty of test performance in field settings, without full information for participants, and without the means to ensure that the intervention needed for those with positive results does indeed take place, then you will end up with an expensive mess that does more harm than good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From what we can tell, the current proposals for screening the City of Liverpool using SARS-CoV-2 rapid tests are not fit for purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is called a \u2018pilot\u2019 yet there appears to be no research design.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is no concrete evidence that screening of this nature is helpful in outbreak control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It appears to have no system design for who is eligible, how they will be contacted, how they get results, what advice they will be given, how this will be followed up, and how this will be integrated with test and trace and with local health and social care services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The tests being proposed are new and there is little data about their performance in field settings, so therefore many people will be given false results.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The harm from false results includes unnecessary isolation (for false positives), and false reassurance with potentially riskier behaviour (for false negatives).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Our concerns are that the Liverpool screening will fail to realise any benefit, and will cause harm through diversion of resources &#8211; including by distracting from solving the problems with the test and trace programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?page_id=3345\">Letter to Liverpool MPs, 05 November 2020<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#8b6601\"><em>Media<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>COVID 19: known unknowns.<\/strong> Facing up to scientific uncertainty during a pandemic. 08:45-19:45, 20 November 2020. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_CBJIXWzwSp-EyWLyQ0mIow&quot;><br><b>Date: 20 Nov 2020&#8243; target=&#8221;_blank&#8221;>Zoom link<\/a> (full programme to follow)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/episode\/m000l2fk\/disclosure-series-2-12-the-care-home-scandal\" target=\"_blank\">BBC, 28 July 2020. Disclosure: The care home scandal<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/video\/2020\/05\/15\/covid-19-testing-tracing-should-be-happening-across-the-uk-professor.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CNBC, 15 May 2020. Coronavirus can\u2019t be suppressed unless governments put out local outbreaks<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"indie_SAGE 04.05.20 - first committee meeting\" width=\"810\" height=\"456\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/L7uBwyr0sdg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Watch the Independent SAGE, chaired by Sir David King, 04 May 2020<\/strong>.<br>For more,  see <a href=\"http:\/\/www.independentsage.org\/watch-the-evidence\/\">http:\/\/www.independentsage.org\/watch-the-evidence\/<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/s-url.cgtn.com\/p\/BEAcBIA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>CGTN Dialogue, 19:30 Apr 24 2020 (minute 22)<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/coronavirus-the-latest\/id1502388554\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Listen to The Telegraph. Coronavirus: The Latest. 22 April 2020<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"COVID REPORT 14 04 20\" width=\"810\" height=\"456\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XY3sEIB7pJY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Watch The Covid Report, chaired by Afua Hirsch, 14 April 2020<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"COVID REPORT 08 04 20\" width=\"810\" height=\"456\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/05-jbrHRmrs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Watch The Covid Report, chaired by Paul Mason and Afua Hirsch, 08 April 2020<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#8b6601\"><em>Independent SAGE<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?page_id=3577\">Email, Allyson Pollock to SAGE members, 05 October 2020<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#8b6601\"><em>Contacting public bodies and politicians<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>14 April 2020, Orkney MP Liam McArthur<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/McArthurLiam_COVIDOrkney_14Apr20.pdf\">seeks clarification<\/a> about localised approach to tackling coronavirus<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Letter to the Scottish Government, 07 April 2020<\/strong>. &#8220;&#8230; I have still not had a reply to my letter of 21 March 2020. It is a generally shared view of me and my colleagues in public health that re-establishing intense contact tracing is essential at local level if we are to enable children to return to education and control measures to be lifted in different parts of the country. &#8230;Of course it goes without saying that I would be happy to offer help and support. I will be writing to you separately about residents in long term care settings where the situation is extremely troubling.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Response from Public Health Wales, 02 April 2020<\/strong>, on contact tracing and testing &#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/PublicHealthWales_Roderick_COVID19_02Apr20.pdf\">view<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sample email to local authority or other responsible organisation<\/strong> on contact tracing and testing: <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Email_Roderick_PHW_30Mar20.pdf\">Peter Roderick to Public Health Wales<\/a>, 30 March 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Write to your local MPs, councillors and mayors<\/strong> about following WHO advice &#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?p=2969\">read more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Letter to the North of Tyne Combined Authority, 23 March 2020<\/strong>: The purpose of this letter is to urge you as soon as possible to do everything you can to make the case with your local authority colleagues and Public Health England to institute an immediate and meticulous contact tracing and testing programme in each local authority within the NoTCA area, and more widely in the North East. &#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?page_id=2924\">read more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Letter to the Scottish Government, 21 March 2020<\/strong>:  I urge the Scottish government immediately to institute a massive centrally-coordinated, locally-based contact tracing and testing programme &#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/?page_id=2906\">read more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/COVID-draft-PQsfinal20March-.pdf\">Draft parliamentary questions<\/a> on contact tracing and testing<\/strong>, <strong>20 March 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#8b6601\"><strong>USA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Response from Prof Charlene Harrington et al to Marko Mijic, 14 April 2020<\/strong>. &#8220;The April 12th NY Times reported that 50% of nursing homes in NY and 70% of New Jersey nursing homes now have the COVID-19 virus and we can expect that to happen soon in California if more extensive emergency efforts are not undertaken &#8230; We applaud the efforts of the Governor and all its agencies to address the dire emergency situation for SNFs and RCFEs. More must be done to stop the spread of the virus throughout most of the state\u2019s facilities &#8230;&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Response-to-Marko-Mijic-April-12-2020.pdf\">read more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Response from Marko Mijic on behalf of the Health &amp; Human Services Agency, 10 April 2020<\/strong>. &#8220;These Californians are a top priority for us as they are the most vulnerable and are at heightened risk for COVID-19&#8221; &#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Mijic-Respsonse-to-Letter-April-10-2020.pdf\">read more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Letter from Prof Charlene Harrington &amp; 32 others to Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, 10 April 2020<\/strong>. &#8220;We are writing to urge you to take action to protect California nursing homes and assisted living facilities &#8230;&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Governor-Newsom-letter-re-Corona-virus-april-10-2020.pdf\">read more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Interview with Dr Robert Redfield (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/health-shots\/2020\/03\/31\/824155179\/cdc-director-on-models-for-the-months-to-come-this-virus-is-going-to-be-with-us?t=1585723489520\" target=\"_blank\">Interview with Dr Robert Redfield<\/a>,  Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NPR, <strong>31 March 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#8b6601\"><strong>Public health COVID-19 forum <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Hancock_COVID19_SelfIsolation_07Apr20a-1.pdf\">Letter to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on UK guidance on self-isolation<\/a>, 07 April 2020. &#8220;We, the undersigned, are concerned with regards to the discrepancy between UK and WHO guidance on the period of self-isolation following symptom onset and\/or lab diagnosis with<br>SARS-CoV-2, as well as the guidance on symptoms requiring self-isolation &#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/OpenletterTelemed.pdf\">Open letter to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care<\/a> requesting immediate introduction of telemedical abortion services to reduce coronavirus transmission, 28 March 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Letter_Times_01Apr20_PHC19F.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Letter to The Times<\/a> on tackling COVID-19 locally, 01 April 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Briefing  (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2020\/mar\/23\/boris-johnson-lockdown-coronavirus-london\" target=\"_blank\">Briefing<\/a> of key messages to David Lammy for his commentary in&nbsp;The Guardian, 24 March 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Lead letter in the Times (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes.co.uk\/article\/covid-19-testing-and-restrictions-on-movement-krmzkx8kg\" target=\"_blank\">Lead letter in the Times<\/a> on COVID-19 testing and restrictions&nbsp;of movement, 21 March 2020&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Open letter (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdkBXEWE3L_MzTjSVeykF9qUBmQy0K0pqB_fCznkB6nkXsGTA\/viewform\" target=\"_blank\">Open letter<\/a> calling for enforced social&nbsp; distancing and upscale of testing &#8211; from 40 key academics (mainly epidemiology\/public health) with additional signatures from over 650 doctors and public health professionals, 20 March 2020&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Lancet correspondence (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/journals\/lancet\/article\/PIIS0140-6736(20)30667-X\/fulltext\" target=\"_blank\">Lancet correspondence<\/a> requesting government share&nbsp;evidence base within 72 hours, 17 March 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Lead letter in the Times (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes.co.uk\/article\/coronavirus-modelling-must-be-made-clear-3zcl7x578\" target=\"_blank\">Lead letter in the Times<\/a> requesting the&nbsp; government urgently and openly share the scientific&nbsp;evidence, data and models informing the public&nbsp;health&nbsp; response to COVID-19, 14 March 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BMJ covid-19 webinars, November 2020 to November 2021 Co-curated for the BMJ by Prof George Davey-Smith and Prof Allyson Pollock News Pollock AM. UK COVID-19 Inquiry: Module 2 &#8211; Rule 9 request. 2022 09 March 2022. Allyson Pollock &#8216;In Discussion With&#8217; Christine Clark (2) Mass testing &#8211; in theory and practice. Medical Update Online, International [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2903","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2903","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2903"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2903\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2903"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allysonpollock.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2903"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}