SIR – The decision by Public Health England not to publish daily updates on the Covid-19 situation is a disturbing development, taken presumably with the consent of Government.
To keep the public in the dark about the daily spread of this virus is a poor, ill-considered decision, that I fervently hope will not come back to haunt the authorities in the weeks and months to come.
As an “emergency planner” myself, with some 20 years’ experience in preparing and responding to disasters and crisis management, it is absolutely vital that you keep those affected as up-to-date as possible with the latest situation.
As professionals, we do that, because the more informed that people are about any situation, the more considered and appropriate their choices will be in relation to that situation.
Furthermore, if you keep people in the dark, then what will rapidly emerge is a whole series of rumours and stories, each more outlandish or untrue with every retelling.
For something like this situation, ignorance is mostly certainly not bliss.
The authorities have made a grave mistake with this approach, and I hope that they come to their senses and reverse it, sooner rather than later.
Mike O’Sullivan
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