The Covid inquiry should plan for the next pandemic, not rake over past failures

SIR – I find it odd that officers of state are being required to divulge all in Baroness Hallett’s pointless Covid inquiry (report, June 2).

As currently constituted, the inquiry lacks effective purpose – its core aim seems to be the apportionment of blame. In is overburdening itself with useless minutiae. Many have already worked out where the blame lies and will react accordingly when they are next afforded the opportunity.

It would be quicker, more constructive and far more costeffective to plan what to do better next time.

I live in hope but not expectancy.

Robert Ashworth

Alderley Edge, Cheshire

SIR – On reading Philip Johnston’s article (“This Covid inquiry fiasco seems more interested in racism than lockdown”, Comment, May 31), it occurs to me that we should allow the over-detailed Hallett report to proceed on its languorous way and, in the meantime, institute a short, six-month second inquiry to look at the Swedish Covid report and determine what parts of that have useful guidance for us in the event of another pandemic occurring sooner than the Hallet report gets published.

Nick Trevor

London SW4

SIR – At minimum cost in time and money the likely conclusions of the Covid inquiry could be summarised as follows:

The Government acted in good faith but with a lack of clear vision. There is no point in wasting time on the performance of individual ministers and advisers.

There should have been no lockdowns.

There should have been no track and trace.

The advice should have been to take great care if you were in poor health, diabetic or obese.

Infection will aid immunity.

Vaccines will reduce the impact of Covid but will not necessarily prevent transmission or infection. Likewise masking.

Schools should have stayed open and business should have carried on as normally as possible.

Travel should have remained open where possible.

All Covid punishments should be reversed.

Tom Berglund

London W8