Suppression

A significant conversation at the start of the coronavirus was about the distinction between seeking to manage the virus and seeking to suppress the virus. Along with most other governments, the UK took the suppression route because of the expected higher death tolls from management only,] It is therefore important to think carefully about what… Continue reading Suppression

An open letter to Boris Johnson

Dear Boris, First of all, I want to let you know that we are encouraged by your own recovery from the COVID-19 virus.  Many Christians around the country were praying for you each day as well as for Carrie and your baby boy. We continue to pray for you, for your ongoing recovery and for… Continue reading An open letter to Boris Johnson

When Tragedy Comes

It was about quarter to five on Saturday 11th May and we had just switched on Grandstand to get the final scores. I wasn’t yet attending football games but I had followed my football team, Bradford City’s fortunes with pride that season as they had stormed to the old Division 3 title.  It was the… Continue reading When Tragedy Comes

Learning the right lessons – it is possible to engage

Early in the Coronavirus pandemic I shared a few articles about the dangers of learning the wrong lessons from the data that was being thrown at us about how different countries were doing.  I want to follow that up with some articles about what we can learn about the virus. My reason for saying this… Continue reading Learning the right lessons – it is possible to engage

VE Day -should we celebrate it?

Today is VE Day and it is a particularly significant milestone as we commemorate 75 years since Churchill announced victory in Europe. National pride, culture and cross-cultural mission Like others, I have been struck by the number of Union Jack flags going up around our Estate. Not everyone is happy about such signs and I… Continue reading VE Day -should we celebrate it?

Coronavirus – do the models work?

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?

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?