Wales' COVID Inquiry Reveals 'Omnishambles' in Pandemic Response

The inquiry into Wales' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic highlights significant miscommunication and delayed actions, leading to confusion and criticism.

• Wales' health minister was unaware of nine UK COVID cases at the start of the pandemic, revealing a lack of preparedness.
• First Minister Mark Drakeford described local lockdowns as a 'failed experiment,' criticizing the approach to restrictions.
• Chief Medical Officer Sir Frank Atherton expressed frustration over late information from the UK, coining the term 'omnishambles' to describe the situation.
• Wales was the last UK nation to recommend face coverings, causing public confusion and highlighting a lack of alignment with other regions.
• The inquiry heard evidence of deleted WhatsApp messages and emails, raising concerns about transparency and record-keeping.

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