BSI open letter to Government on SARS-CoV-2 outbreak response

[Bruce Stephens]

BSI open letter to Government on SARS-CoV-2 outbreak response | British Society for Immunology

BSI open letter to UK Government on SARS-CoV-2 outbreak response

www.immunology.org

British Society for Immunology members are acutely aware of the implications that the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has for global public health. Following recent announcements from the UK Government on the steps they are taking to handle this outbreak, our community has voiced significant questions about the strategy proposed. To reflect these, we have sent the following open letter from our President, Professor Arne Akbar, to voice the thoughts of our immunology community to Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, Sir Patrick Vallance, Chief Scientific Officer and Rt Hon Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care.​

 

[trophywench]

I heard to word irresponsible used by someone on TV this evening ….. I didn't like hearing that, It was even more irresponsible of whoever it was to use the word IMHO. Which counts for nothing of course.

 

[grovesy]

I have been applaud at some of the coverage of having experts or scientist's on news slots and then either attack them or cut them off before they have finished because of time. I think they should abandon time constraints.

 

[Docb]

Herd immunity must join the other catchphrases of our time like self-isolation and get Brexit done. Our leader loves them because they appear to say all and he only has to remember a two-word phrase rather than understand a full-page brief. Sound good but in reality they say little. They cast more shadow than light.

The herd immunity tactic in dealing with an epidemic has both good and not-good implications. Fundamentally, you get a benefit for the majority at the expense of a few. I have heard others say what is in the open letter above but as grovsey said, they get little exposure and no follow up. It's too complicated far too difficult for our poiticians and press.