Lords Science and Technology Committee to hold further evidence session on COVID-19
Following on from their evidence session on Friday with leading scientific and medical advisors, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will tomorrow seek the views of leading scientists about the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Committee will question the heads of key research organisations on the scientific advice used during different stages of the pandemic in the UK so far, looking at the challenges for scientists in providing scientific advice when the evidence itself is still developing.
The session will then continue by looking at the scientific evidence pointing to a second wave, the lessons learned from other countries and from high risk areas, the social implications of managing the pandemic, and lessons for the future of this pandemic and others.
The questioning will draw on points made by experts in previous evidence sessions in the inquiry. Summaries of their evidence.
This evidence session will take place at 10am on Tuesday 21 July.
Giving evidence will be:
Professor Dame Anne Johnson, Vice President, Academy of Medical Sciences
Professor Sir Paul Nurse, Director, Francis Crick Institute
Professor Baron Peter Piot, Director, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Professor Sir Venki Ramakrishnan, President, Royal Society
Questions will likely include:
What scientific evidence has had the most influence at different stages of the pandemic so far in the UK?
What have been the challenges for scientists in providing scientific advice during the pandemic, particularly whilst the science is still developing?
Does the scientific evidence point towards a second wave in the UK and how might this look?
What have been learnt about the transmission of the virus in high-risk environments?
What have been the main lessons learnt about managing pandemics, including from other countries?
What systems do we need in place to ensure viruses with pandemic potential are recognised and contained before sustained transmission can occur?
What systems and strategies should be put in place now, both nationally and internationally, to better prepare for future pandemics?
What will be the long-term social impacts of the way the pandemic has been managed in the UK and other countries?