that time? i think the record is slightly wrong that time? i think the record is slightly wrong because - that time? i think the record is slightly wrong because i i that time? i think the record is slightly wrong because i said i that time? i think the record is i slightly wrong because i said that the ceo is an epidemiologist. but the ceo is an epidemiologist. but the question was, are we ready for something like a baler or a flu pandemic? famously, the preparations on the plans in place where for a flu pandemic are we ready for something like ebola or a flu pandemic. the honest truth is this was a completely novel virus and in fact it is different even from the previous coronaviruses including sars and mers. its treaty countries that experienced those were better prepared than we were, partly because of that experience, but it s also true that covid 19 is very different from sars and mers and the number one differences it has asymptomatic transmission. so, those plans that were
it is highly unlikely, highly likely that the message may have been confused by a translation issue but that this is unclear. but confused by a translation issue but that this is unclear. that this is unclear. but sage on the 28th of that this is unclear. but sage on the 28th of january that this is unclear. but sage on the 28th of january concluded i that this is unclear. but sage on i the 28th of january concluded that early indications imply some asymptomatic transition, transmission is occurring. sage did not come in the minutes of sage, it was not recorded as saying the consensus is there is no asymptomatic transmission, quite the opposite, they are saying early indications imply some is occurring. the world health organization advice and the clinical advice of the most likely situation that i received, remained that asymptomatic transmission was unlikely and in fact, the who s position and i quote, there has been no documented asymptomatic transmission. as i say, given all
and it s an absolutely accurate reflection of the debate, i regret, i should have stuck with my guns and said, well, there is, even if it is uncertain and even if it is relatively small, we should base policy on that. because even though the formal advice that i was receiving was it is asymptomatic transmission, it s unlikely and we should not base policy on it, that was, and i should have overruled that. . . . was, and i should have overruled that. , , ., ., was, and i should have overruled that. , ., was, and i should have overruled that. ., ., that. this is an important point and ou that. this is an important point and you mention that. this is an important point and you mention the that. this is an important point and you mention the who that. this is an important point and you mention the who and - that. this is an important point and you mention the who and you - that. this is an important point and you mention the who and you said | that. this is an important point and - y
so we have this position where there was this, essentially, there were individual instances of the evidence being presented but the overall scientific conclusion which was the recommendation for the policy advice was that it was highly unlikely, that there was asymptomatic transmission. that there was asymptomatic transmission. ., , ., , ., transmission. that s a strange thing to conclude transmission. that s a strange thing to conclude because transmission. that s a strange thing to conclude because sage transmission. that s a strange thing to conclude because sage on - transmission. that s a strange thing to conclude because sage on the i transmission. that s a strange thing i to conclude because sage on the 28th of january to conclude because sage on the 28th ofjanuary said to conclude because sage on the 28th of january said early to conclude because sage on the 28th ofjanuary said early indications imply some asymptomatic transmission, the who on the 2nd of april said tran
assumptions that policy was being based on were wrong. but that he felt intimidated, he didn t use that word, but what he said in multiple answers, he said he felt very reluctant, personally, to intervene, to overturn what had been an established consensus and am i right in detecting what you ve said, similar thoughts? in detecting what you ve said, similarthoughts? i in detecting what you ve said, similar thoughts? in detecting what you ve said, similar thoughts? i ust think it s hard when there similar thoughts? i ust think it s hard when there is similar thoughts? i just think it s hard when there is a similar thoughts? i just think it s hard when there is a clear - hard when there is a clear scientific advice, to go against that with a decision of such enormity, there is one other example that i wanted to set out. maybe now is the moment to do it, it s about asymptomatic transmission. 50 one of the big reason is that we changed policy, for instance, towards care homes, in