The point-scoring does no good

HINDSIGHT is a very useful tool in learning lessons and planning for the future. However, too many times it is used by those wanting to score political points, air a professional grievance, or laying down the foundations of blame. In doing so any lessons that should be learned are in danger of being lost in the resulting arguments.

In all four home nations the current watchwords of a majority of opposition politicians, media and those experts not directly involved in Government planning seems to be “could have, would have, should have”. This virus took everyone by surprise by its virulence and contagiousness. It moved at such a pace that Government departments and agencies for a long time could only play catch-up.

In such a hectic and confused atmosphere, mistakes were made and vital decisions delayed, but that would have been the case no matter who was in charge. You only have to reread newspapers back in January to see that little attention was being paid to the impending crisis by anyone.

Yes, at the end of this hold an inquiry as to what went wrong and in doing so learn lessons and plan for the future. But let us not allow it to be used by politicians for cheap political pointscoring and others to pursue their own grievance and blame culture agenda – something that appears to be gaining momentum now. If we fail to learn those important lessons then at some time in the future history will repeat itself.

Now is not the time to look back at what might have been. Decisions were taken at the time in conjunction with the medical evidence available at the time. At this time we can only come through this crisis by putting differences and grievances aside and working together.

Yes, questions can be raised but once a decision has been made we should get behind it and take responsibility by whatever means and however small a contribution to make it work.

Paul Lewis Edinburgh