Intelligence Squared

Covid by Numbers with David Spiegelhalter

Oct 15, 2021

David Spiegelhalter, Chair of the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication at Cambridge University and author of "Covid by Numbers," discusses the complexities of data interpretation during the pandemic. He and virologist Dr. Chris Smith explore the challenges of testing accuracy, including false positives and the nuances of COVID-19 death reporting. They also delve into the UK's policy struggles, excess death rates, and the broader implications of public health decisions, providing insights into future scenarios and the importance of clear communication.

47:41

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Episode guests

David Spiegelhalter

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Navigating Science and Policy during COVID-19

18min

Navigating the Complexities of COVID-19 Testing

4min

Understanding False Positives in COVID-19 Testing

2min

Navigating the Complexities of COVID-19 Death Reporting

3min

COVID-19: The UK's Struggles and Insights

11min

Future Scenarios and Predictions for COVID-19

6min

With data on the Covid-19 pandemic changing shape with every new outbreak and new mutation, it's a complex task to make sense of where the story of the virus will head next. David Spiegelhalter is chair of the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication at Cambridge University and an expert on crunching figures in order to understand successes and failures. His new book Covid by Numbers, co-written with Anthony Masters, seeks to shine a spotlight on the UK's handling of the pandemic. In this episode he speaks with the virologist and host of The Naked Scientist podcast Dr Chris Smith.

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