Has there ever been a time when scientists have been held in higher esteem? Compared to the political class, scientists have seemed sober, sensible and our best hope of escaping the coronavirus crisis.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the lead immunologist on the White House Coronavirus Taskforce, is just one scientist who has become a hugely respected voice in America and beyond – in spite of repeated attacks from Trump, who told campaign staff in October that ‘people are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots’. In the end Fauci will continue to serve in the White House long after Trump has headed back to Mar-a-Lago for good.
Scientists’ stock has surely rocketed further as well with news of three potentially transformative vaccine breakthroughs, with the first jabs being issued this week. The response in newspapers, on social media and from the general public has been euphoric. While politicians have been meddling, obfuscating and bickering among themselves, scientists have potentially saved the day.
Even though distracted by the internecine squabbling of frontline politics, Boris Johnson is doing his best to cling onto the coattails of the science community and has attempted to use it to sell his narrative that post-Covid and post-Brexit, Britain will lead to a scientific renaissance driven by our world-class research and development community.
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