‘President of the Royal Society, addresses trust in science during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic’
27 May 2020
10:36
Evidence-based decision making should absolutely be a cornerstone of government, especially in a pandemic for which science is of paramount importance to our response. However, we must also recognise both the potential and the limits of science.
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So given the stakes, even in the absence of RCT evidence, it was this understanding of modes of transmission and the need for precautionary common sense that convinced over 50 governments to make the use of face masks mandatory in situations where physical distancing is not possible or predictable such as busy public transport, shopping and other potentially crowded public or workspaces. Our government too has now recommended the use of face coverings in such situations.
