No 10 accused of sidelining behaviour experts on latest Covid measures
Exclusive: SPI-B scientists warn of lack of independent advice at a time when social norms are replacing laws
https://www.theguardian.com/politic...ng-behaviour-experts-on-latest-covid-measures
It's a complicated situation, as regards influence. For instance here we see a professional campaign organisation made up of scientists, journalists and others raising money from media consumers to pay scientist-celebrities to tell journalists to tell their readers and viewers that their children are in grave danger:
https://twitter.com/allthecitizens/status/1438770234069069824?s=20
(The Citizens is Independent Sage's umbrella brand.)
Very good news that the cases are now starting to focus on the school kids. Everything seems to me to be going quite well at the moment.
I had lunch in the west end today. London is really bouncing back - it feels as lively as it did in September 2019!
Isage’s mission is to use impact journalism to call the government to account. Its mission is not to present the issues fully and fairly, objectively and independently. It is a political operation. There’s a fine line between calling the the government’s approach to the covid crisis to account, and using the covid crisis for political ends.
Makes sense to target those at most risk. The UK strategy is boosting those of us eligible for the flu vaccine isn’t it? I’ll certainly take it if offered.
It's very naive in this day and age to think that you might inflence anything without a strong social media presence.
40 kids per day have been hospitalised throughout the summer holidays - now it's set to get worse.
The surprising, and encouraging thing is that they haven’t approved boosters for 16-64 year olds, citing insufficient of evidence of benefit. It’s only the advisory body, so still time for the US to say Fck the World, but it’s a positive development and I hope the rest of the rich world follows suit.Makes sense to target those at most risk. The UK strategy is boosting those of us eligible for the flu vaccine isn’t it? I’ll certainly take it if offered.
The surprising, and encouraging thing is that they haven’t approved boosters for 16-64 year olds, citing insufficient of evidence of benefit. It’s only the advisory body, so still time for the US to say Fck the World, but it’s a positive development and I hope the rest of the rich world follows suit.
I'm not sure the Pfizer should be distributed throughout Africa even if enough available. The storage requirements will simply not be met in large enough numbers to either make it dangerous for the vaccinated or allow the virus to mutate to evade this vaccine, or both.
Better to distribute vaccines that can be stored in a normal fridge and have a reasonable 'shelf life'.
How much of the population is in cities? I believe there’s very significant population far away from cities. How reliable is the power network? It’s easy to think that installing fridges is easy but when you visit some of these countries you get to realise the situation is far from what we’re used to. Yes major cities in South Africa have the infrastructure but not right across the continent. Also, simply sending kit out there does not remotely guarantee it’ll end up where it should. AZ would surely be a better option.There will be places where AZ is a better choice as you say, but it's only -80 degrees, which is a just standard lab chest freezer. These will (or could be made be available) in the city hospitals, for sure.
How much of the population is in cities? I believe there’s very significant population far away from cities. How reliable is the power network? It’s easy to think that installing fridges is easy but when you visit some of these countries you get to realise the situation is far from what we’re used to. Yes major cities in South Africa have the infrastructure but not right across the continent.
Belgium has set enforceable limits on businesses for air quality
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/wor...usinesses-to-combat-new-covid-surge-1.4612101