For a Government claiming to follow scientific advice and guidance in setting policy, Boris Johnson and his cohorts currently seem decidedly non-scientific.
Non-scientific in not offering any rationale as to why the reopening of non-essential retail precedes reopening hospitality.
Was any such question ever asked, and if so, how was the answer reached?
Science tests provide an answer to a question and/or confirm a theory.
Most scientists would have difficulty in setting up a test to compare the dangers of reopening non-essential retail with hospitality. The comparison parameters are almost infinitely variable, as the actions of people within both environments would need to be predicted.
The experience timescale of passing another shopper in the aisles may be shorter than engaging with someone over a drink, but in many retail outlets the volume of the engagement incidence would be far more frequent than in a pub for example. More brief encounters Vs fewer extended ones.
The ease with which a shopper in TK Maxx or a drinker in Weatherspoon’s can follow the 2m social distancing policy would also seem a difficult equation to formulate, and even more difficult to answer. An Actuary would struggle to provide an answer, so we won’t try.
So, while everyone waits to see if the Government will make an announcement to confirm July 4, an answer to why we are all waiting behind non-essential retail would also be helpful Mr Johnson.
Reopening: Measure twice cut once
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