Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to several joint letters questioning government response
Experts from a variety of disciplines have written joint open letters to the government questioning their response to the COVID-19 … read more
scientist comment on possible impact of behaviour change on reducing spread
Comment on possible impact of behaviour change on reducing the spread of COVID-19. Dr Adam Kucharski, Associate Professor in … read more
expert reaction to details of how testing for COVID-19 will be prioritised by PHE, NHS England and DHSC
Reaction to details of how testing for COVID-19 will be prioritised by Public Health England (PHE), NHS England and the … read more
expert reaction to the Saturday 14th figures on case numbers and deaths from COVID-19 in the UK
On Saturday 14th March the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England, Prof Chris Whitty, confirmed there are now 1140 confirmed … read more
expert reaction to reports of a newborn baby in London testing positive for COVID-19 virus
There have been reports of a newborn baby and mother being tested for COVID-19 in London. Prof Richard Tedder, … read more
expert comment on UK government response to COVID-19
Comments on UK government’s response to COVID-19 outbreak. Prof Brendan Wren, Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis, London School of Hygiene … read more
expert reaction to WHO saying Europe has now become the epicentre of the pandemic
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that Europe has now become the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof … read more
expert reaction to questions about high blood pressure, diabetes, and ACE inhibitor drugs, and risk of COVID-19 infection
Response to journalists’ questions bout high blood pressure, diabetes, and ACE inhibitor drugs, and risk of COVID-19 infection. Prof … read more
expert comments about herd immunity
There have been questions from journalists regarding herd immunity. Prof Willem van Schaik, Professor of Microbiology and Infection, University of … read more
expert reaction to increase in UK case numbers of COVID-19 to 590 in total
The Chief Medical Officer for England, Prof Chris Whitty, has confirmed there are now 590 cases of COVID-19 in the … read more
expert reaction to government having moved to delay phase of COVID-19 plan
The government has announced that the UK is moving into the delay phase of the coronavirus response. Comments sent … read more
treatments and vaccines for coronavirus – when we will have them?
One of the reasons scientists worry about a novel virus is that we don’t have either natural immunity or effective … read more
expert comments about the UK’s response to COVID-19 so far
Comments on the UK’s response to COVID-19 so far. Dr Mike Turner, Director of Science, Wellcome Trust, said: “There … read more
expert reaction to the Republic of Ireland closing schools
The Republic of Ireland has announced it closing schools in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Prof Jimmy Whitworth, Professor … read more
expert reaction to Trump suspending travel to US from 26 countries in the Schengen border-free travel area of Europe
President Donald Trump has announced the suspension of all flights to Europe, with the exception of the UK. Dr … read more
expert reaction to WHO say COVID-19 can be characterised as a pandemic
The World Health Organisation has now characterised COVID-19 as a pandemic. Prof David Heymann, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, … read more
expert reaction to preprint on the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions carried out by China in the COVID-19 outbreak
A preprint, posted to MedRxiv, reports on the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions carried out by China in the COVID-19 outbreak. … read more
expert comment about coronavirus and mobile phone hygiene
There have been questions in the media about mobile phones and transmission of COVID-19. Dr Michael Head, Senior Research … read more
expert reaction to biggest daily increase in UK cases of COVID-19
There are now a total of 456 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK, a rise of 83 from the … read more
expert reaction to the Budget
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced spending commitments for multiple areas of science and technology in the UK. Comments … read more