CPP's Head of Research, Benjamin Franklin, writes for The MJ arguing that as we emerge from this crisis, embracing critical local institutions which serve to reduce pressure on the health service and support long-term social and economic wellbeing must be prioritised to strengthen community resilience. There simply is no alternative.

At the end of March, much of the national focus around COVID-19 was on case numbers and rising mortality in London as well as bed capacity in the NHS.

This was logical as London was the initial epicentre for the disease and the health service the obvious frontline. But, given the uncertainty about actual case numbers, the likelihood of it spreading across the nation, and underlying health vulnerabilities in different places, there was a risk of blindly following cases rather than taking a forward look at the places most at risk of high mortality should the surge reach them. Read the full article.