4 ms·

Just because the data isn't there doesn't mean they have done a good job though (IMO they mostly haven't at all). You can still act without data, you just don'

by wlll 6y ago

Just because the data isn't there doesn't mean they have done a good job though (IMO they mostly haven't at all). You can still act without data, you just don't know exactly what effect it will have because even without data some actions just seem quite likely to have a positive outcome. There's a great clip of Dr Michael J Ryan, Executive Director at WHO who that's relevant that's worth watching: https://twitter.com/Prof_S_Taylor/status/1238598239902994433 https://twitter.com/Prof_S_Taylor/status/1238598239902994433 Social distancing, lockdowns, masks, these all intuitively help the situation, and if and when it is reaslised that they don't, then you can withdraw the rules or advice. However, it's impossible to regain the benefits of things you didn't do if you start to do them much later. You are right, there was contradictory data, but what governments should have, and should still be doing, is acting where there is uncertainty, not waiting for certainty before acting, and the fact that many aren't, or are doing it to such a limited degree, is the problem.

mantap 6y ago
Ironically many of the UK's woes are due to rigidly following WHO advice. For example, when multiple countries in Europe and the US were recommending or mandating face coverings, the UK rigidly stuck to the WHO line that there's "no evidence" that face coverings are effective. They reluctantly changed course last week, but it's too late now, the public is now set in their way. The same goes for border controls. The UK is only now thinking about instituting a 14 day quarantine for arrivals as it had been sticking rigidly to the WHO advice from February that measures at the border are "unnecessary". This kind of mentality pervades the British government. Rules must be followed at any cost. Many people voted for Brexit simply because they preferred having blue coloured passports instead of red ones. There's some EU guideline that passports should be red and this was blown up by the media into a kind of rallying cry. UK could have just disobeyed the guideline but they stuck rigidly to it even when it was irrational to do so.
- wlll 6y ago
  Yeah, the WHO is't completely right, I bever said they were, but it doesn't have to be either/or. You can do "test test test" as the WHO said, at the same time as enforcing face masks, which they have not. The UK government has done neither of those things yet. I don't think this is about following the rules, the WHO provide advice and perhaps guidelines here. I think this is perhaps a fear of doing the wrong thing, combined with a desire to seem like they're in control. If you hold back 14 day quarantine "until the time is right", then get up in front of people and say "the right time is tea time next Thursday" it makes you seem like you know what you are doing. > They reluctantly changed course last week, but it's too late now, the public is now set in their way. I'm just south of Manchester. Almost no-one in my area is wearing a mask, and since Monday when the new catch phrase was announced social distancing seems to have gone out the window.

by wlll 6y ago

mantap 6y ago

Ironically many of the UK's woes are due to rigidly following WHO advice. For example, when multiple countries in Europe and the US were recommending or mandating face coverings, the UK rigidly stuck to the WHO line that there's "no evidence" that face coverings are effective. They reluctantly changed course last week, but it's too late now, the public is now set in their way. The same goes for border controls. The UK is only now thinking about instituting a 14 day quarantine for arrivals as it had been sticking rigidly to the WHO advice from February that measures at the border are "unnecessary". This kind of mentality pervades the British government. Rules must be followed at any cost. Many people voted for Brexit simply because they preferred having blue coloured passports instead of red ones. There's some EU guideline that passports should be red and this was blown up by the media into a kind of rallying cry. UK could have just disobeyed the guideline but they stuck rigidly to it even when it was irrational to do so.

wlll 6y ago
Yeah, the WHO is't completely right, I bever said they were, but it doesn't have to be either/or. You can do "test test test" as the WHO said, at the same time as enforcing face masks, which they have not. The UK government has done neither of those things yet. I don't think this is about following the rules, the WHO provide advice and perhaps guidelines here. I think this is perhaps a fear of doing the wrong thing, combined with a desire to seem like they're in control. If you hold back 14 day quarantine "until the time is right", then get up in front of people and say "the right time is tea time next Thursday" it makes you seem like you know what you are doing. > They reluctantly changed course last week, but it's too late now, the public is now set in their way. I'm just south of Manchester. Almost no-one in my area is wearing a mask, and since Monday when the new catch phrase was announced social distancing seems to have gone out the window.