What will the Covid survey look at and when will we get answers? | UK News

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Man with mask looking out the window

The inquiry will examine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK’s response to it. (Photo: Getty Images)

THE The Covid-19 pandemic was a global health emergency that affected in one way or another every person in the country. From June 13, the Covid-19 survey will seek to learn lessons from the spread of the disease.

In 2020, people in the UK suffered multiple lockdowns, tiering systems and various restrictions which impacted the daily lives of everyone in the country as the public and government battled the spread of the virus .

Sadly, the gov.uk Coronavirus dashboard records that more than 220,000 people have died with Covid-19 on the death certificate since the disease was first discovered in the UK.

The Independent Covid-19 Inquiry was set up to examine the impact of the pandemic and the government’s response in order to make recommendations and better prepare the country for future unknown diseases.

So what will the Covid investigation be about and when are we likely to get answers?

Here’s what you need to know.

What will the Covid investigation cover?

The survey will cover four areas of study which they describe as “modules”. These mods are:

  • Module 1 – Resilience and preparation
  • Unit 2 – Decision-making and basic political governance in the United Kingdom
  • Unit 3 – Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on healthcare
  • Module 4 – Vaccines and therapies

Each module will have a different area of ​​focus and will begin with collecting evidence, analyzing documents, collecting witness statements, etc.

It will then move on to public hearings where the panel will take testimony, hear oral evidence and where the team of inquest lawyers, led by Hugo Keith KC, will ask questions of those involved in the decision-making.

Members of bereaved families of Covid-19 for justice hold photos of deceased loved ones

Members of the bereaved Covid-19 families for justice hold pictures of relatives who died during the pandemic as they protest outside the site of the UK Covid-19 inquest. (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Who is involved in the Covid investigation?

Baroness Heather Hallett, a former Court of Appeal judge, will chair the inquest.


List of senior executives of Covid Inquiry

The list of senior executives involved in the investigation includes:

  • Baroness Heather Hallett – Inquiry Chair
  • Ben Connah – Investigation Secretary
  • Martin Smith – investigative counsel
  • Hugo Keith KC – investigative attorney
  • Sam Hartley – Director of Policy, Research and Analysis and Deputy Secretary
  • Anisha Worbs – COO
  • Laura Pellington-Woodrow – Director of Information and Programs
  • Samantha Edwards – Director of Communications and Engagement

Many of the top figures in British politics over the past few years are likely to be called to give evidence.

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock has already said he expects to be summoned, and it is likely the inquest will also hear from the former prime minister Boris Johnson and possibly high-level political aides in office during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as Dominique Cummings.

Matt Hancock who should apologize to Parliament for breaching the code of conduct for MPs by trying to influence the Common Standards Czar.

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he expected to give evidence. (Photo: Steve Parsons/PA Wire)

Can you get involved in the Covid survey?

The Covid survey seeks to include as as many people stories as possible.

As such, they are launching an “Every Story Matters” initiative to collect experiences from a wide selection of the general public.

The website states: “Every story shared with us will be used to shape the inquiries of the survey and help us learn lessons for the future.

“The stories will be collected, analyzed and turned into thematic reports, which will be submitted to each relevant investigation as evidence. Reports will be anonymized.

You can submit your experiences and learn more by visiting Covid Inquiry’s Every Story Matters webpage.

How is the Covid survey funded?

According to the Institute for Government, public inquiries are initially set up and funded by the government, but are run independently.

How to watch the Covid Survey?

The Covid-19 inquiry will be streamed online, with most of its public hearings available on its YouTube channel. Some of the hearings featuring high-profile political figures will likely be broadcast live by news outlets like the BBC and Sky.

You can also attend hearings in person by reserving a seat online. Hearings will take place at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Hearing Centre, Dorland House, London.

How long will the Covid investigation last and when will we have answers?

The survey is expected to last three years and end in the summer of 2026. However, their final analysis may not be released until 2027.

MORE: Covid inquiry will be ‘the inquiry the nation deserves’ as hearing begins

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