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Following the Science: The UK Government’s Response to “Herd Immunity” During Early COVID-19

In: The Complexities of Sustainability

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  • Miriam Green

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to discuss the importance and impact of scientific advice on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a subject worthy of more than one book, so the topic is confined to the question of “herd immunity” or “mitigation”: a strategy considered in the United Kingdom (UK) during the early appearance of the virus in the first months of 2020. This chapter also considers definitions of science and problems within science itself and how these have impacted considerations of herd immunity during the first months of the pandemic. The relationships between the scientists who have advised the government, the politicians involved, and the impact this has had on the scientific advice given and implemented are discussed, as are the problems regarding the concept of “following the science”. The practise of herd immunity is outlined, as are attitudes to these in the UK in the first quarter of 2020. Finally, the position of science and scientists in relation to the responses to COVID-19 is considered in the broader political and ideological context of 21st century Britain.

Suggested Citation

  • Miriam Green, 2022. "Following the Science: The UK Government’s Response to “Herd Immunity” During Early COVID-19," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: David Crowther & Shahla Seifi (ed.), The Complexities of Sustainability, chapter 6, pages 155-192, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:wschap:9789811258756_0006
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    Keywords

    Sustainability; Sustainable Development; Corporate Social Responsibility; Corporate Governance; Pandemic; Science; Technology; Innovation; Organisation; Society; Accounting; Government; Multinational; Reporting; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Higher Education; Universities; Environment; Corporate Performance; Management; Disclosure;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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