BBC Inside Science
UK Covid-19 Inquiry
Dec 21, 2023
Former Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty testify at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. NASA releases a toolkit in Earth's orbit. There is hope to curb global warming. Ed Yong's book wins the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize.
28:17
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Quick takeaways
- Mass gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic gave the impression of normality, contradicting the seriousness of the situation.
- Making scientific advice public is crucial for accountability, but there is a potential reluctance if discussions become too exposed.
Deep dives
Key Moment 1: Balancing Science and Perception during COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a debate about allowing mass gatherings like sporting events. The government relied on scientific advice from the sage group, which suggested that outdoor events carried a relatively small risk. However, Chief Medical Officer for England, Chris Whitty, acknowledged that the problem was not the gatherings themselves, but the impression of normality they gave at a time when the government wanted to signal the seriousness of the situation.
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