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.
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.
Key Moment 2: Transparency and Deviation from Advice
Former Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir Patrick Valance, discussed the importance of quickly making scientific advice public. This would show when ministerial decisions deviated from the advice, allowing for accountability and explanation. The challenge lies in the dilemma between transparency and the potential reluctance of officials to seek scientific advice if discussions become too exposed.
Key Moment 3: The Personal Impact on Scientists
Jonathan Van Tam, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, highlighted the personal toll scientists faced during the pandemic. He shared instances of receiving hate mail and threats that affected not only his well-being but also that of his family. This raises concerns about the impact on future recruitment of scientists for similar emergency situations.
Key scientific witnesses including former Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance and Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty are called to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. The BBC’s Jim Reed brings us his three key moments from the evidence heard over the past few days that have been dubbed “science week”.
NASA has managed to let loose a tool kit in the Earth’s orbit -- and you can even see it in the night sky with binoculars. Lucinda King explains how this is possible and if space junk is getting out of control.
The United Nations has warned we’re heading towards 3 degrees warming and another Conference of the Parties, known as COP, is about to take place. The BBC’s Georgina Rannard reminds us there is still hope for our planet to curb global warming.
The winner of the 2023 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize was announced on Wednesday night. It’s Ed Yong for his book ‘An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us’. Marnie Chesterton was at the ceremony and nabbed Ed as well as Chair of the Judges Alain Goriely to find out what made this book the winner.
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton
Producers: Harrison Lewis, Hannah Robins and Louise Orchard
Editor: Richard Collings
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
BBC Inside Science is produced in collaboration with the Open University.
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