‘The science’ does not exist... even in a global pandemic

FOLLOW the science... As political slogans go it seems like a good one. In just three words it suggests both a determination to deal with the problem and a pathway to the solution. It implies that the requisite expertise is not only on hand, but already hard at work.

- Lucy Johnston

It suggests that, even in the midst of a deadly pandemic, if we just stick to this simple formula, everything will be fine.

But it is not this simple of course.

As has been pointed out by many scientists, politicians and academics, there is no such thing as “the science”– a single immutable reference point that provides all the answers.

Science evolves. It relies on fresh ideas, discourse, debate and evidence. Often the wilder ideas are wrong. Sometimes they are right.

Occasionally, long-established assumptions must be ditched as knowledge progresses. Today’s heretic can be tomorrow’s visionary.

And yet, for at least two years of the pandemic, “the science” was this Government’s lodestar.

We were told to “stay home, protect the NHS and save lives”.

Posters on bus shelters reminded careless teens “don’t kill Granny”.

This was what we were told “the science” demanded and what most politicians from all sides agreed with.

Former chancellor and leadership hopeful Rishi Sunak has just blown a huge hole in the claim there was consensus.