I watch UK #COVID19 briefing right after Greek one, daily. Difference in tone is stark. Greek one led by scientists who give figures, research updates, then over to gov’t to say if new data merit any policy change. In UK 2/3rds of it is defensive look-how-well-we’re-doing drivel.
And that’s the difference. Led by science vs led by politics. Even down to the fact that in the UK, the minister has stopped saying number of new deaths in last 24hrs. Just gives the total, so journos have to subtract yesterday’s number. All is insultingly politically managed.
I am an averagely smart person and versed in politics. At the end of UK briefing, I genuinely have not a fucking clue what is going on or what they’re doing about it. Only in Q&A, when the scientists at the briefing are pushed by press, do some useful facts come out.
And it’s SO POSH, so inaccessible to so many viewers. FFS do they not understand that at a time when absolute clarity is, quite literally, a matter of life and death, the briefing cannot be led by someone who makes a career out of being as evasive, vague and cagey as possible?
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