A lot of decisions about Coronavirus over the past few weeks have been made on the basis of models predicting potential outcomes In fact, it is probably more accurate to say that decisions have been guided by the models than that they have been guided by the science in some unmediated way as though there… Continue reading Coronavirus – do the models work?
Category: Opinion
It is okay to disagree
In the past, I’ve challenged a number of the assumptions that lie behind some of the (in my opinion) wilder accusations thrown at the Government’s handling of Coronavirus strategy. This could make it sound like I believe all is rosy in the garden and that there are no problems. It might also suggest that I’m… Continue reading It is okay to disagree
A way out of lockdown?
People are now beginning to think more and more about what the exit strategy from lockdown might be like. There are some concerns about the level of engagement with what this means for churches – especially as the secular media seems silent on this. Perhaps we should not be surprised. In more encouraging news, national… Continue reading A way out of lockdown?
Should Professor Neil Ferguson have resigned?
News broke yesterday that one of the leading experts advising the government on Coronavirus response has stepped back from involvement in SAGE, the government’s advisory body. Why? Was it that his expertise had been found wanting? No, whilst not everyone is happy with his models, this was not the reason.[1] Was he resigning in protest… Continue reading Should Professor Neil Ferguson have resigned?
Compliance
What would you rather have? The choice is between 100% of people being 95% compliant or 80% of people being 100% compliant? It looks like one of those trick questions doesn’t it? I’m meant to go for the better numbers 100% and 95% but it doesn’t take me long to realise that it is better… Continue reading Compliance
The problem with test, track and trace
One of the big questions asked about the UK’s response to COVID-19 is why we did not respond in the same way as South Korea. It’s a good question. If any country represents a true outlier in terms of significantly lower death rates, then South Korea is the best candidate. I recently noted in an… Continue reading The problem with test, track and trace
Awkward – the unsayable?
A baby boy is born, rejoice, a symbol of hope in troubled times. That was the general mood of many public statements yesterday. Carrie Symonds, the prime-minister’s fiancé had given birth. This was the Archbishop of Canterbury’s reaction. There is a lot to be thankful for. A few weeks back, we were praying for Boris… Continue reading Awkward – the unsayable?
The greater risk
Whenever I was involved in a major project such as an IT systems implementation, one of the important things we had to do was to put together a risk management plan. There were a number of stages to this. Stage 1 identify the potential risks by listing everything that would possibly go wrong Stage 2… Continue reading The greater risk
Learning the wrong (right) lessons -the importance of curiosity
One of the big problems our society has is that we have suffered the death of curiosity and that stops us from asking good questions especially when presented with data and statistics. I get frustrated when people bring out the old “lies, damned lies and statistics” routine because statistics don’t lie, you do however need… Continue reading Learning the wrong (right) lessons -the importance of curiosity
Playing the Gnosticism Card
There’s been a fierce debate going on about whether or not our current church gatherings using social media platforms actually are gatherings. For those who think we are not gathering, one of the primary concerns is that our gatherings should be “physical” or “embodied” because if not this may encourage a form of gnostic thinking… Continue reading Playing the Gnosticism Card
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