An overview of the Covid-19 pandemic and a reflection of the interconnectedness of systems

In May 2020 I joined the group Independent SAGE, a group of scientists who are working together to provide independent scientific advice about the state of the pandemic in the UK and internationally. From the summer of 2020 onwards, I have been giving regular updates on the latest Covid situation in the UK during Independent SAGE’s live streamed weekly briefings and we have released over 30 reports covering different aspects of the pandemic.  This has meant that I have had a ringside seat in the changing landscape of government policy, scientific advice and the evolution of the virus. I have also learned a great deal from my Independent SAGE colleagues and others about public health, health inequalities, virology, epidemiology and behavioural science. In this talk, I will reflect a systems perspective has often been lacking in response to the pandemic, both nationally and internationally, and how this exacerbated problems through negative feedback loops which contributed to drive transmission and poor health outcomes.