-
The classic one:
Ma wife is a public health expert specialising in infectious disease control. She isn't working with COVID-19 but her colleagues are and have been cited in this thread. Anyway, here's her opinion on the UK gov's response based on a several recent posts in this thread:
'The UK has the largest pool of public health experts in the world. The decision to delay the closure of schools for example is to balance the benefits of containment whilst the reducing the risk of public complacency because of prolonged or premature containment policies. The disruptions to social and economic normalcy also have significant consequences which are too numerous to list. There is no Tory agenda with our [current UK] method, the government is deferring to experts who have a well thought-out plan. It's up to the government to convey the messages properly, their credibility issues notwithstanding. Finally, herd immunity is real and there are too many people who know don't know anything speculating and spouting off on a subject of which they have no real understanding. And they don't need to understand it anyway. Just follow the fucking advice of experts, we have plenty of them and their only agenda is public well-being. We're [the UK] not being complacent.'
sohi-
I did not want to name names but yes, this. Once again, no country owns experts. The postcode of the restaurant where they order their daily dose of suckling pig means fuck all.
-
Is there actually any evidence that the government has ignored scientific advice in phasing in lockdown and social distancing? Usual disclaimers apply - I've never voted Tory, I don't ever plan to, and I'm deeply sceptical of the motivations and personal mores of any Tory government, but before sharpening my pitchfork and igniting my flaming torch I'd like to know I've got more to back me up than Guardian opinion pieces and unattributed sources.
Petteri
Brommers
A mere month or so back any suggestion that the UK should perhaps follow WHO guidance (test and trace the fuck out of this, isolate the infected and worst come to worst, lock down) was met with name-calling.