Valance all but confirms that 'The Science' was politically motivated and bore no relation to actual science, which is 'a moving body of knowledge'. Which then begs the question why we we didn't adapt when measures were almost instantly put in question by researchers doing science. Why did people lose their livelihoods for doing good work?
Vallance has shown the inquiry a series of extracts from his diary which provide evidence of this. The extract, from May 2020, describes Johnson as being “clearly bamboozled” by modelling on schools. In another extract from May 2020 describing Johnson as being “confused” about different types of tests. In his extract, from June 2020, Vallance says it is “awful” watching Johnson trying to understand statistics and that he finds the difference between absolute and relative risk “almost impossible to understand”. In the extract from July 2020, Vallance says Johnson did not understand the concept of doubling times. And the one from September 2020, says it is difficult getting Johnson to understand graphs – even when he has seen them before.... doh
Is that not Vallance's job to help him understand that? To simplify it to whatever level is required to get the point across? Unless we're shifting the goalposts yet again on a minister's required level of expertise. To be PM you must have a degree in Politics, Statistics, Engineering, Medicine, Economics, Sociology, International Relations, History, Tourism & David Beckham Studies.
They said he was acting the buffoon ... ... in fact there was no acting ability required Surely, if he didn't understand, he shouldn't have been Prime Minister. Or do we assume that no-one, other than scientists, could possibly understand ... ... I wonder how other countries managed. It makes you shudder to think that a man incapable of understanding was, nevertheless, making decisions that affected us all. Does he understand economics, defence, immigration or does his knowledge begin and end with zipwires and fridges.
Your post really caught me out, at first glance I thought it was a quote from Sir Patrick Vallance at the Covid Enquiry
'Portugal has reportedly broke a record for energy production after going six days relying entirely on renewable energy. This apparently includes everything from electrical appliances in home and work, all were running on either wind, hydro, or solar power for six days straight.'
I thought Chris Witty came across quite well today, from the clips I saw on the news. The scientists seem to have been let down by the politicians, which sadly means we were let down as well. Sunak looked bad serving meals during the 'eat out to keep the economy going' scheme ... ... he looks even worse now.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cz50YX8tJzY/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== protecting livelihoods she says. Well we’re all suffering, but the livelihoods of Tory donors / business colleagues / wives / husbands / the neighbours / the rich was protected or rather accelerated
