Never has the role of chief medical officer (CMO) been under such scrutiny. In a rare interview, England’s CMO speaks to The BMJ’s editor in chief, Fiona Godlee, about the pandemic and what it’s like to be a physician during the COVID-19 pandemic. This interview was recorded on 28 October and has been edited for length and clarity.

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England speaks with Dr. Fiona Godlee, Editor-in-Chief of The BMJ.