Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to postponement of the Tokyo Olympic games
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have announced the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics until 2021. Dr Michael Head, … read more
expert reaction to travel restrictions in Hubei province (excluding Wuhan) to be lifted from midnight, and the lockdown in Wuhan to be partially lifted on 8 April
The Chinese authorities have announced that they are lifting the lockdown measures in place for Hubei province, and partially lifting … read more
expert reaction to drop in air pollution because of COVID-19
There have been reports of reduced air pollution levels around the world, due to reduction in activity from COVID-19 responses. … read more
expert reaction to new UK government interventions to tackle spread of COVID-19
The UK government announced on 23rd March 2020 much stricter restrictions on social gatherings and travel to tackle the spread … read more
expert reaction to six coronavirus research projects announced which will get share of £20 million from government
The UK government announced on 23rd March 2020 that six new research projects focusing on the novel coronavirus will receive … read more
expert reaction to the possibility that loss of taste and smell could be a symptom of COVID-19
There have been reports in the media that the loss of taste or smell have been associated with people suffering … read more
expert reaction to the UK government being in talks with Amazon and other companies about delivering COVID-19 testing kits to healthcare workers and those self-isolating
There have been reports that the UK government is in talks with Amazon and other companies about delivering COVID-19 testing … read more
expert comment on age, COVID-19 infection and the role of social distancing
There have been questions from journalists about why it is important for young people to practise social distancing. Dr … read more
expert reaction to children and young people’s risk from COVID-19
There have been questions from journalists on the risk children and young people face from COVID-19. Professor Russell Viner, … read more
expert reaction to preprint (not a published paper) on estimates of excess mortality from COVID-19 in the UK
A preprint (not a paper) estimating the excess 1-year mortality from COVID-19 in the UK was posted on Monday 23 … read more
expert reaction to social distancing and children exercising and playing
There have been questions from journalists about how children should follow the social distancing guidelines. Prof Sian Griffiths, Emeritus … read more
expert comment on enforcing social distancing measures
There has been widespread discussion in the media on enforcing social distancing measures, similar to the restrictions enforced in other … read more
expert reaction to launch of UK whole genome sequence alliance to map spread of coronavirus
The UK Government announced funding on 23rd March 2020 for a genome sequencing consortium, called COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium, with … read more
expert reaction to guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19
Public Health England (PHE) published guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to comparisons of UK and Italy death rates from COVID-19
There have been questions in the media about the differences between the death rates from COVID-19 in the UK and … read more
expert comments about current UK COVID-19 case numbers
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have continued to release the UK case numbers of COVID-19* on a … read more
expert comments about the situation in London hospitals and the importance of the public taking advice seriously
London is being widely described as the epicentre of the UK’s COVID-19 outbreak and there have been reports in the … read more
expert reaction to MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis report 10
The Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College London published its 10th report on … read more
expert comment about COVID-19 and having sex while either socially distancing or self-isolating with symptoms
There have been questions in the media about whether people can have sex whilst socially distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak. … read more
expert reaction to pubs, restaurants and cafes being told to close from the evening of Friday 20th in the UK
The government has announced that a large variety of social locations, including pubs and restaurants, have been told to shut … read more