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Given that there will be much uproar at Mauro Ferrari's abrupt resignation as President of the European Research Council, I suggest those interested look at what the EU is doing in this field https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/health-research-and-innovation/coronavirus-research-and-innovation_en
Here is the members of the Commission's expert group on Coronavirus, it is impressive - https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regexpert/index.cfm?do=groupDetail.groupDetail&groupID=3719&news=1
Here is his resignation statement - http://prod-upp-image-read.ft.com/65f5a27e-78dd-11ea-af44-daa3def9ae03
And here is some information about his - no doubt impressive - background https://erc.europa.eu/erc_member/mauro-ferrari
More on Mauro Ferrari resignation from @SciBus https://sciencebusiness.net/framework-programmes/news/sudden-resignation-erc-president-stirs-heated-dispute-over-motives
From the FT article: "Prof Ferrari lamented “the complete absence of coordination of healthcare policies among member states, the recurrent opposition to cohesive financial support initiatives, the pervasive one-sided border closures” in the EU." This claim needs some scrutiny:
There are a wide range of coordination work, much of it very successful @ECDC_EU @EMA_News + work across DGs... On the science/research fund a lot being done see above.
One of the criticism put to the UK is failure to participate in EU's coordination work
One of the criticism put to the UK is failure to participate in EU's coordination work
As for 'cohesive financial support initiatives'. He resigned as the Eurogroup was bashing heads together. But there is already action by the ECB, EIB, European Commission, SURE... Not perfect, but would the US head of the National Institute of Health resign over fiscal transfers?
On border closures, the blame should be placed at the doorstep of national govnernments, the European Commission has been working hard with 'Green lanes' to lift these barriers - but they only have so many powers.
The first thing I hear on the widely listened @BBCr4today is about Mauro Ferraris resignation - citing the FT. Can I urge a note of caution when dealing with grandstanding scientists who have had their noses put out of join - guys like Mauro Ferrari have very big egos.
Just to add this to this thread. From midday press briefing:
*27 March* members of the European Research Council Scientific Council called on the resignation of Mauro Ferrari. This was why I was urging caution. I hope that @BBCr4today
et al. cover this tomorrow morning.
*27 March* members of the European Research Council Scientific Council called on the resignation of Mauro Ferrari. This was why I was urging caution. I hope that @BBCr4today
et al. cover this tomorrow morning.
