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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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