UnHerd with Freddie Sayers Freddie Sayers: The Covid inquiry is a disgrace
10 snips
Nov 21, 2025 The UK’s £200 million COVID inquiry has stirred controversy with its conclusion that the only mistake was not locking down sooner. Critics argue it overlooks severe collateral damage to children and society. Anomalies like Sweden’s non-lockdown success are ignored, raising questions about the inquiry’s credibility. The potential for future authoritarianism looms as citizens face long-term repercussions from lockdowns. With concerns about modeling claims and the framing of findings, the discussion reveals deeper societal fears and unresolved pandemic traumas.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Inquiry Reaches A Dangerous, Timid Verdict
- Freddie Sayers argues the UK COVID inquiry reached a timid, groupthink-driven conclusion favouring earlier lockdowns.
- He calls this dangerous because it ignores broader societal costs and risks repeating mistakes.
Collateral Harms Were Ignored
- Sayers highlights the inquiry's failure to quantify lockdowns' secondary harms, especially to children and workforce participation.
- He suggests avoiding a one-sided cost assessment that ignores long-term social damage.
Firsthand Visit To Sweden In 2020
- Freddie recounts visiting Sweden in spring 2020 and observing normal social life despite the pandemic.
- He uses this firsthand example to challenge the claim that lockdowns were the only viable policy.