Author Archives: Science Media Centre
does mass testing work? New evidence from mass testing in Slovakia
In October 2020, Slovakia tested its whole population for SARS-CoV-2 infections, conducting more than five million rapid antigen tests. A … read more
expert reaction to a government policy paper on community testing
Earlier this week the government posted a policy paper on the community testing programme. Dr Alexander Edwards, Associate Professor … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey data
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Dr Simon Clarke, Associate Professor … read more
expert reaction to explosion at waste water treatment works in Avonmouth
An explosion occurred yesterday at a waste water treatment works in Avonmouth, killing 4 people and injuring another. Mr … read more
expert reaction to UK’s 2030 emissions targets
The UK’s new emissions target has been announced, with an aim to get to net zero by 2050. Prof … read more
expert reaction to study looking at low dose steroids and risk of cardiovascular disease
A population-based cohort study published in PLOS Medicine looks at risk of developing cardiovascular disease in patients receiving low doses … read more
expert reaction to latest Test & Trace Figures for England for the week 19 – 25 November
The government have released the latest statistics from the COVID-19 Test and Trace system. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor … read more
expert reaction to comments made by Dr Anthony Fauci on the approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine by the MHRA
Dr Anthony Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, commented on the UK’s speed in … read more
expert reaction to ‘Countdown on health and climate change’, as published in The Lancet
The Lancet Countdown’s fifth annual report tracks 40+ indicators on links between health and climate change. Dr Philip Staddon, … read more
expert reaction to study looking at red meat, plant foods and heart disease
A study published in the BMJ looks at red meat intake and risk of coronary heart disease among US men. … read more
Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 mRNA vaccine
In light of today’s announcement regarding the MHRA’s decision to grant a temporary authorisation to supply in response to public … read more
expert reaction to the provisional report on the State of the Global Climate in 2020, as published by the World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has today released its provisional report on the State of the Global Climate 2020, stating … read more
COVID-19: what role for scientists in a nation full of armchair epidemiologists?
By Fiona Fox This blog contains the thoughts of the author rather than representing the work or policy of the … read more
expert reaction to news that the MHRA has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for mass UK roll out
It has been announced this morning that the UK government has accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare … read more
expert reaction to a study looking at sun exposure and risk of endometriosis
A study published in Reproductive epidemiology looks at sun exposure and risk of endometriosis. Dr Caroline Overton, a consultant … read more
expert comments about immunity passports
Following the comments by Michael Gove this morning and health minister Nadhim Zahawi yesterday, here are some more general comments … read more
expert reaction to preprint from the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app looking at vitamin supplements and likelihood of reporting a positive COVID-19 test
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, posted on medRxiv uses data from the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app to … read more
expert reaction to ONS data on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 20 November
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the … read more
expert reaction to government’s analysis of the health, economic and social effects of COVID-19 and the approach to tiering
The government have recently published their analysis of the health, economic and social effects of COVID-19 and the approach to … read more
expert reaction to vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi’s comments about a system where individuals may require proof of vaccination
The Health minister Nadhim Zahawi, who will oversee rollout of the Covid vaccine in England, has said that hospitality and … read more