“The widespread resistance to the early reopening of schools has its roots in our demonstrable overconfidence in theoretical science to predict how Covid-19 will behave in the real world,” argues Phil Whitaker, a GP and New Statesman columnist in a piece published today.
The evidence is sketchy on either side of the debate, he says. On one, studies that suggest keeping schools closed is the safest option are based on theoretical models. On the other, ministers point to Denmark, which has successfully reopened primary schools, to justify their policy, which “entirely ignores glaring differences between our two countries”.
The whole debate highlights the failures of theoretical science throughout the pandemic, he argues.
You can read the full piece here.
(Image credit: OLI SCARFF/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)
Content from our partners
Related
