OBJECTIVES OF THIS BLOG, AND THE AUTHOR'S BIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION

This “COVID Courier” blog covers the fight against the COVID-19 disease since the start of July 2020.  Principally in the context of England and the United Kingdom, but with many of the principles being applicable worldwide.

The primary objective is [and in January 2022 remains] to get back to some form of normality as soon as possible. That includes theatre and live music, in addition to schools and all our other usual activities. Providing everyone with confidence, and the best foundation for a strong economic recovery..

This blog follows on from the widely read “COVID Out” blog which was started in May 2020, with broadly the same objectives.

I am an Oxbridge science graduate, who became a qualified finance professional involved in business strategy, planning, forecasting and IT projects. These have involved improvement in business processes and management information - experience which is directly relevant to the fight against COVID-19.

Over the last 40 years I have advised the CEOs (Chief Executives) and CFOs (Finance Directors) and other senior management in a wide range of businesses.  These have  included FTSE, AIM, multinational corporations, family businesses and hi-tech start-ups.  Household names include Sony, HP, British Gas, BBC and Three.

I am approaching COVID-19 as if it were a business problem, applying proven process problem-solving and change management techniques.  That's in combination with my scientific experience in biochemistry and having worked in the biotech industry for drug development. 

So for example, whilst it is right to throw everything at defeating COVID-19, that doesn't mean spaffing money up the wall on something ineffective, especially when there are more cost-effective options available.  For example, why not distribute face coverings free of charge, as is happening abroad?  Bought in bulk they would be very cheap.

THIS BLOG’S OBJECTIVES

There are three objectives for this blog:

1. Help British society to get back to some normality as quickly as possible.  But safely.
2. By helping to defeat this SARS-COV-2 coronavirus (SARS2) and the COVID-19 disease it causes. 
3. Provide a source of reference material to help us understand this ‘novel coronavirus’ (as it was initially called), to help defeat it and get back to some normality

This blog looks towards the future.  Rarely looking at the past.

This is with the attitude “Hope for the best but prepare for the worst”.  With lives and livelihoods at stake, that typically means erring on the side of caution.  Whilst being ambitious in achieving the objectives.

Being based in England, my interest is primarily the United Kingdom.  But as the responsibility for public health is split between England, Wales. Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the focus of this blog is primarily England.  Especially in the way the fight against COVID-19 is best managed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

My trumpeter has been furloughed, so do bear with me!   For now I will remain anonymous, in the best traditions of many professional commentators over recent years.

I am an Oxbridge science graduate, specialising in biochemistry, chemistry and spectroscopy. 

The business world beckoned and I became a qualified finance professional.  I was an overall prize-winner at my final professional examinations.  That means expertise in accounting, audit, performance management, taxation, basic English law and IT.  My professional experience includes working for the largest accounting firms, with time heading up the Computer Audit function.

I have solved problems that other qualified professionals had not, and solved  problems which senior management has thought were impossible.  I don’t believe in can’t.  Just finding how.

My first clients were a wide range of organisations from a small bookshop to the construction of the Thames Barrier, from a family-run care home to quoted companies.

I then ran the finance team in a biotech company, developing drugs, to lay the foundations for its growth to becoming a successful FTSE100 business.

Returning to practice in a major firm’s Management Consultancy division, I worked successfully with the largest businesses in the world such as Sony, HP and Siemens.

Since which I have worked with a wide range of businesses including FTSE, AIM, private and start-ups, 

Many in hi-tech, plus sectors such as construction and house building, housing associations, retail and food service  Reflecting much of the British economy..

My principle hobby is in the performing arts.  I therefore am passionate about getting live music, theatres, comedy and other venues back into operation.  A mighty challenge, but we can do it!

Back in university holidays I worked in a commercial laboratory, harvest-picker on farms, a hod-carrier on a building site, and as a postie.  I met many different people, which gave me a good start in understanding the broad range of people living in the UK.

I have written around over 80 technical articles on the effective use of IT for the website of the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales), and so am a professional technical author.

POLITICAL ALIGNMENT

I support neither the Conservative nor Labour parties.  I am not a member of any registered political party, but represent the vast 'silent majority' of the British population in the centre of politics.

Any views about the British government expressed in this blog are purely in respect of its competence in tackling COVID-19.

PROFESSIONAL SCEPTICISM

As an auditor, I have developed an acute sense of professional scepticism.  Check, challenge, validate.

That is my approach to COVID-19, and especially in reviewing what the media and the scientists themselves say.

Back in year 8, my Biology textbook had a chapter about the early days of microscopy.  The scientific experts of the day were saying there was a little man in a human sperm.  Obviously that was soon proved wrong. 

COVID-19 is new, the evidence is changing, and the interpretation of that evidence is developing.  The view of scientists may be as flawed as with the human sperm.  Especially when people start piling in to a new idea, when it becomes mroe difficult to take a publicly contrary view.

The other key issue with SAGE and other scientists, is they seem to have no idea of cost or practicality. What may be excellent in theory may not be cost-effective in practice.

I look at each situation in the round in a business-like manner, and link all the matters together.  Here’s a recent example from my systems strategy work, being an architectural design linking every facet of the business together.  Reviewed and approved by the CEO and other industry experts, even though the industry was new to me.  COVID-19 is actually a much simpler challenge.

I have no peer pressure to agree with any fashionable views.  If I disagree with an opinion, I will say so.  That sometimes means holding a different view, whether that is more 'positive' and 'bullish', or more 'cautious'. 

I have to hold my own in the boardroom, and am happy to do so in respect of COVID-19, including on TV or radio..

I nonetheless welcome being challenged by contrary views, where they contribute positively to our understanding of COVID-19 and how best to defeat it.  But I will not engage with anybody being in any way abusive.

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

Onwards and upwards.  This coronavirus, and any relatives that follow it, should be quaking in their little fatty boots.  But only if the UK government takes the necessary actions.