Nov 18, 2021Member-onlyMore Shonky Science JournalismMore Shonky Science Journalism We all know that mask wearing is a highly emotive subject when it comes to COVID 19. …1 min read1 min read
Jan 9, 2021Member-onlyWhere we are todayWhere we are today The situation is stark in the U.K. and can be explained in a few short statements. COVID 19 is a terrible disease that continues to have…1 min read1 min readWhere we are todayThe situation is stark in the U.K. and can be explained in a few short statements.COVID 19 is a terrible disease that continues to have…----
Jan 8, 2021Member-onlyLet’s talk about risk baby(With apologies to Salt ‘n’ Pepa) I think we can all agree that the government in the U.K. has taken action too late – once again — in its reaction to rising COVID 19 hospitalisations. We can debate the efficacy and appropriateness of the actions taken because – as noted…Covid 195 min readCovid 195 min read
Jan 6, 2021Member-onlyHow to be right and wrong at the same timeYesterday (January 5th 2021) the Guardian newspaper printed an editorial suggesting that Boris Johnson relies on PR rather than effective action when it comes to COVID 19. …Covid 197 min readCovid 197 min read
Jun 2, 2020Member-onlyFrom scientific uncertainty to press certainty — social distancingThis morning (2nd June), as usual, I checked the papers. This headline stood out from the Guardian landing page: This is in the Covid-19 section, so I assumed the 2 metre rule means the rule that in the UK we should stay 2 metres apart from people outside of our…Covid 1915 min readCovid 1915 min read
May 23, 2020Member-onlyShould you send your child back to school?This is an opinion piece – the topic being discussed is highly emotive and I have tried to base my opinion in science and logic as much as possible. I have been a governor at local primary schools in my area for 5 years. These are schools my children attend…Schools12 min readSchools12 min read
May 21, 2020Member-onlyCoronavirus outcomes may not be as bad as we thinkCare Home fatalities due to COVID 19 have gone from being underestimated to being overestimated. Excess death calculations in a population that is growing and getting older overestimate COVID 19 related deaths The change in testing strategy through April in the UK and other countries gives a misleading impression of…Covid 198 min readCovid 198 min read
May 16, 2020Member-only1.5 trillion pound cost of Covid 19 in the U.K. when a 200 billion pound solution is available.A recent report leaked by from the U.K. treasury shows the expected cost of the lockdown of the U.K. economy. This is only the fiscal cost, and does not include the costs to individuals who lose their jobs or lost revenues as demand craters. Overall we believe the true cost…Covid 195 min readCovid 195 min read
May 15, 2020Member-onlyWhy can’t we do better with Covid 19 and big data?There must be enough data around Covid 19 mortality and transmission risk to give every individual an indication of the risk of death, risk of organ damage, risk of getting the disease, and risk of transmitting the virus on if you have it. The insurance industry determines premiums based on…Covid 197 min readCovid 197 min read
May 12, 2020Member-onlyThe risk and the fear – Sending more children back to schoolA conversation overheard between a normal adult (NA) and a risk specialist (RS). NA: Have you seen this??!! RS: What? NA: The government wants us to send Johnny and Victoria back to school on June 1st. Since when did ‘stay at home’ stop being the sane thing to do! RS…Covid 194 min readCovid 194 min read