Government shunned proper statistical tools to tackle pandemic
Models used gave alarmist projections of loss of life and attached too little weight to loss of jobs, tax revenue and government services
Well-formulated scientific tools exist for tackling complex problems such as the Covid-19 pandemic that include all role players in society. However, rather than a holistic, scientifically based, inclusive plan for the pandemic, the government focused on models that gave uncertain and alarmist projections of loss of life and attached too little weight to the certain loss of jobs, tax revenue and government services.
The notion of science and the awe in which society holds the scientific method is rooted mainly in what science has achieved in the fields of physics and engineering, and how these achievements have driven technological innovation to the benefit of mankind. Science has been less helpful in the fields of human behaviour, such as economics, politics (forecasting election outcomes) and the study of disease transmission. When applied to Covid-19, scientific models could tell us very little about how it would unfold...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.