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Jaw-dropping @BBCRadio4 interview w VC of University of Manchester: surprised by rapidity of outbreaks!; claims the main problem was failure to sufficiently communicate to students the need to follow guidelines!
. @OfficialUoM VC: "I think we were surprised by the speed and scale of the numbers that tested positive. ...It was very much a feature of something that seemed to happen very fast about a week after they returned – a week to 10 days -- and now they're coming down." 1/
WTF? How could you have been surprised, given that *exactly the same thing* happened in university after university in the US in August & early September. 2/
. @OfficialUoM VC's attempt to shift blame to students: "We gave them the choice. We said: 'Would you prefer to study online or would you like to come back and study face to face?' The vast majority chose the latter." 3/
"We could have communicated better about the need for self-isolation if there are positive cases. ...What we hadn't done I think is communicated well enough the importance of adhering to those regulations." 4/
Note no mention
of (1) the need to test all frequently to prevent asymptomatic spread & (2) the need to greatly reduce density of halls & eliminate shared bedrooms & bathrooms. 5/
of (1) the need to test all frequently to prevent asymptomatic spread & (2) the need to greatly reduce density of halls & eliminate shared bedrooms & bathrooms. 5/
As if better communication of the need to wear face masks & keep 2m apart combined w disinfectant scrubbing was all that was needed to prevent outbreaks in halls! 6/
Given this parade of embarrassments from the VC @OfficialUoM & chair of the @RussellGroup, is it any surprise that @UniversitiesUK are now an international laughing stock? 7/7 https://twitter.com/MikeOtsuka/status/1313559043412316160
7/7 https://twitter.com/MikeOtsuka/status/1313559043412316160
Hard to rank, but thesebelong on top 5 list of most embarrassing @UniversitiesUK Covid-19 pronouncements:
--Man VC interview
--Eastwood's "Charlotte! Why aren't you at your desk?!"
-- #2020MADEUS
-- @registrarism's @Wonkhe piece
-- @UofGCOO's deleted Covid-denialist tweet
belong on top 5 list of most embarrassing @UniversitiesUK Covid-19 pronouncements:--Man VC interview
--Eastwood's "Charlotte! Why aren't you at your desk?!"
-- #2020MADEUS
-- @registrarism's @Wonkhe piece
-- @UofGCOO's deleted Covid-denialist tweet
Did the UoM VC realise how negatively her interview would be received by university staff & students? Did she nevertheless press ahead to impress a different audience? Who? @GavinWilliamson @michelledonelan @officestudentsm, were you impressed? @RussellGroup VCs?
Manchester Nightingale hospital placed on standby to admit Covid patients, as Deputy Chief Medical Officer warns "that coronavirus was spreading from younger age groups into the over 60s who are more vulnerable". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54506494
