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UK scientists openly question government's pandemic response

Maria Cheng

Associated Press

Tags: Boris Johnson, Lifestyle, Health, Nicola Sturgeon
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FILE - In this file photo dated Tuesday June 30, 2020, a coronavirus test sample is collected at a coronavirus testing station in Leicester, England. The British government insists that science is guiding its decisions as the country navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic. But a self-appointed group of independent experts led by a former government chief adviser says it sees little evidence-based about Britains response. Unlike other countries, the scientific opposition to Britains approach is remarkably organized. The independent group sits almost in parallel to the governments own scientists, assesses the same outbreak indicators and has put out detailed reports on issues such contact tracing, reopening schools and pubs, and relaxing social distancing. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, File)
In this undated photo, psychologist Susan Michie poses for a photo. The British government insists that science is guiding its decisions as the country navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic. But a self-appointed group of independent experts led by a former government chief adviser says it sees little evidence-based about Britains response. Unlike other countries, the scientific opposition to Britains approach is remarkably organized. The independent group sits almost in parallel to the governments own scientists, assesses the same outbreak indicators and has put out detailed reports on issues such contact tracing, reopening schools and pubs, and relaxing social distancing. (Photo provide by Susan Michie via AP
FILE - In this file photo dated Wednesday, June 24, 2020, large numbers of people relax on the beach in Brighton, England. The British government insists that science is guiding its decisions as the country navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic. But a self-appointed group of independent experts led by a former government chief adviser says it sees little evidence-based about Britains response. Unlike other countries, the scientific opposition to Britains approach is remarkably organized. The independent group sits almost in parallel to the governments own scientists, assesses the same outbreak indicators and has put out detailed reports on issues such contact tracing, reopening schools and pubs, and relaxing social distancing. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
FILE - In this file photo dated Saturday, March 21, 2020, people use outdoor public gym equipment at a park after indoor gyms were asked to close by the government to help limit the spread of coronavirus in London. The British government insists that science is guiding its decisions as the country navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic. But a self-appointed group of independent experts led by a former government chief adviser says it sees little evidence-based about Britains response. Unlike other countries, the scientific opposition to Britains approach is remarkably organized. The independent group sits almost in parallel to the governments own scientists, assesses the same outbreak indicators and has put out detailed reports on issues such contact tracing, reopening schools and pubs, and relaxing social distancing (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, FILE)
FILE - In this file photo dated Friday, July 31, 2020, people wearing face masks have their temperatures checked before being allowed to go into Manchester Central Mosque, as Muslims worldwide marked the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday, in Manchester, northern England. The British government insists that science is guiding its decisions as the country navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic. But a self-appointed group of independent experts led by a former government chief adviser says it sees little evidence-based about Britains response. Unlike other countries, the scientific opposition to Britains approach is remarkably organized. The independent group sits almost in parallel to the governments own scientists, assesses the same outbreak indicators and has put out detailed reports on issues such contact tracing, reopening schools and pubs, and relaxing social distancing(AP Photo/Jon Super, File)
FILE - In this file photo dated Saturday July 4, 2020, women are seen outside a bar in Manchester, England, as England eases lockdown restrictions for pubs and restaurants to reopen for the first time, while asking for people to continue social restrictions. The British government insists that science is guiding its decisions as the country navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic. But a self-appointed group of independent experts led by a former government chief adviser says it sees little evidence-based about Britains response. Unlike other countries, the scientific opposition to Britains approach is remarkably organized. The independent group sits almost in parallel to the governments own scientists, assesses the same outbreak indicators and has put out detailed reports on issues such contact tracing, reopening schools and pubs, and relaxing social distancing(AP Photo/Jon Super, File)
FILE - In this file photo dated Monday, June 22, 2020, a sign requesting people stay two metres apart to try to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is displayed in front of "Out of Order" a 1989 red phone box sculpture by British artist David Mach, in London. The British government insists that science is guiding its decisions as the country navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic. But a self-appointed group of independent experts led by a former government chief adviser says it sees little evidence-based about Britains response. Unlike other countries, the scientific opposition to Britains approach is remarkably organized. The independent group sits almost in parallel to the governments own scientists, assesses the same outbreak indicators and has put out detailed reports on issues such contact tracing, reopening schools and pubs, and relaxing social distancing(AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
In this undated photo, Independent SAGE scientist Christina Pagel poses for a photo. The British government insists that science is guiding its decisions as the country navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic. But a self-appointed group of independent experts led by a former government chief adviser says it sees little evidence-based about Britains response. The independent group sits almost in parallel to the governments own scientists, assesses the same outbreak indicators and has put out detailed reports on issues such contact tracing, reopening schools and pubs, and relaxing social distancing. (Sourced by Christina Pagel via AP)
FILE - In this May 24, 2020 file photo, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson's senior aid Dominic Cummings leaves 10 Downing Street, in London. The British government insists that science is guiding its decisions as the country navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic. But a self-appointed group of independent experts led by a former government chief adviser says it sees little evidence-based about Britains response. Unlike other countries, the scientific opposition to Britains approach is remarkably organized. The independent group sits almost in parallel to the governments own scientists, assesses the same outbreak indicators and has put out detailed reports on issues such contact tracing, reopening schools and pubs, and relaxing social distancing(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
File - In this Monday, July 13, 2020 file photo, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wearing a face mask, visits the headquarters of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust in London, Monday July 13, 2020. The British government insists that science is guiding its decisions as the country navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic. But a self-appointed group of independent experts led by a former government chief adviser says it sees little evidence-based about Britains response. Unlike other countries, the scientific opposition to Britains approach is remarkably organized. The independent group sits almost in parallel to the governments own scientists, assesses the same outbreak indicators and has put out detailed reports on issues such contact tracing, reopening schools and pubs, and relaxing social distancing. (Ben Stansall/Pool via AP, File)

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

FILE - In this file photo dated Tuesday June 30, 2020, a coronavirus test sample is collected at a coronavirus testing station in Leicester, England. The British government insists that science is guiding its decisions as the country navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic. But a self-appointed group of independent experts led by a former government chief adviser says it sees little evidence-based about Britains response. Unlike other countries, the scientific opposition to Britains approach is remarkably organized. The independent group sits almost in parallel to the governments own scientists, assesses the same outbreak indicators and has put out detailed reports on issues such contact tracing, reopening schools and pubs, and relaxing social distancing. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, File)

LONDON – As Britain navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic, the government insists that science is guiding its decisions. But a self-appointed group of independent experts says it sees little in Britain's response that is evidence-based, especially after an upturn in new cases forced a delay in lifting more lockdown restrictions.

Unlike in other European countries where debate has raged over how to control COVID-19, the scientific opposition to Britain’s approach is notably organized: the independent group sits almost in parallel to the government’s own scientists, assessing the same outbreak indicators but publicly identifying failings and inconsistencies.

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The group has issued detailed reports on almost every major issue tackled in recent weeks: contact tracing,reopening schools, restaurants and pubs, and relaxing social distancing. And at nearly every turn, the independent experts have essentially pointed out glaring mistakes in the government’s approach.

“There is no long-term strategy, as far as we can see,” said University College London virology professor Deenan Pillay, who advised the government during the 2009-10 swine flu pandemic and is a member of the independent group.

“It is the role of scientists and those with expertise to hold the government to account,” he said.

The British government established a Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, also known as SAGE, as the coronavirus exploded in China in January to address the emerging crisis. Its membership was kept secret apart from a few exceptions. That troubled David King, a former chief government scientific adviser, who then created an “Independent SAGE” in early May.

On the day of the shadow group’s first public meeting, the government finally released a list naming the scientists giving it advice. Cabinet ministers have since dropped giving regular coronavirus briefings and seem to have shifted focus to restarting the economy, while the independent experts hold weekly news conferences analyzing the government’s latest virus indicators.

Mark Walport, a SAGE member and former chief government scientific adviser, said the rival group risks confusing the public with their assessments and that scientists should not be making policy decisions. But psychologist Susan Michie said she and other scientists were frustrated by what they perceived as their lack of impact with officials.

“What's depressing about it is they don't seem to be learning lessons or showing any evidence they're listening to (the World Health Organization) or to scientific advice,” Michie, who serves both on a SAGE sub-committee and with Independent SAGE.

Shortly before Britain reopened some schools on June 1, Independent SAGE published a report warning against it because the country did not have the necessary contact tracing system in place. Some schools did reopen, but many will stay closed until September.

Several weeks later, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that social distancing guidelines would be reduced from 2 metres to 1 metre, including indoors. Independent SAGE, however, said the rates of COVID-19 transmission were still too high for such a change, noting that 97% of “super-spreading” events began in indoor environments.

And at a July 24 press conference, Independent SAGE scientist Christina Pagel said that given the risks of the virus spreading among people exercising indoors, she didn’t think it was safe to reopen gyms. The next day, Britain reopened gyms across the country.

While the group's criticism of government policy has mostly been couched in dry, scientific language, that was not the case when the U.K. imposed its first local lockdown in late June as infections surged in the central England town of Leicester.

Independent SAGE called that “a foreseeable crisis of the government's own making” and said that by enforcing new restrictions without consulting local authorities, it risked “creating uncertainty, dissent and even disorder.”

The group has called for the government to radically change its approach to COVID-19, saying the aim should be to wipe out the virus in the U.K. instead of allowing it to linger in the population at low levels. The leader of Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, recently adopted that strategy and is aiming to convince the other U.K. countries to do the same.

“We fear that the government has given up trying to control the pandemic further," the independent scientists wrote in a July report. They said Britain should try to eliminate the disease completely, which would require measures like an aggressive contact tracing system and tighter restrictions on international travelers.

“What we are doing is deeply unpopular in the government because it’s a reminder that the virus hasn’t gone away,” said London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine professor Martin McKee, an Independent SAGE member.

Asked whether the government thought Independent SAGE was helpful, the prime minister’s spokesman, James Slack, said, “Scientists are making regular public comments and contributions to the discussion, and the government’s advisers will take any views into account.”

Some experts said that even if the British government hasn’t directly acknowledged the recommendations of the independent group, they are having an effect.

“The government might be more careful if they know they are going to be so closely scrutinized,” Michael Head, a public health expert at the University of Southampton, said.

Britain’s decision to halt the easing of its pandemic restrictions suggested the independent experts were right about the dangers of exiting lockdown too quickly, according to Head. Earlier this month, the government delayed reopening venues like bowling alleys, skating rinks and casinos, citing recent estimates of about 4,900 new cases per day, up from about 2,000 daily cases in June.

Independent SAGE member Pagel, who is also a professor of operational research at University College London, said the group’s objective is ultimately not to criticize, but to offer alternative strategies.

“I think our approach of a more gradual opening would have reduced the need for the new restrictions,” she said, referring to some of the recently adopted controls to stop the surge of COVID-19. “We try not to be negative about everything, but at the moment, it’s hard not to be negative about what the government’s been doing.”

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Jill Lawless contributed to this report.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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