One of the biggest challenges we are facing at the moment is getting the right material to the right people in the right amounts at the right time. It’s a huge logistical and procurement challenge which applies equally to testing (including some of the chemicals and kit required), the various categories of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical devices like ventilators and CPAP machines, and, in some cases already, oxygen.

This article was first published in The Sunday Times 5.04.2020

The nature of our political system and culture means that parties vying for power are encouraged to clash rather than collaborate. But the coronavirus crisis has suspended our normal political culture. We need to work together, cross-party and cross-border if we are to meet the challenge of a global pandemic.

There are times when we need to go further than the television soundbite or the 280 character tweet. Only in long-form can we give issues of such magnitude as those we face today the forensic level of examination they demand.