Where are the scientists?

[StealthPolarBear]

Very odd

Not prepared to put their professional reputations on the line anymore?

Or maybe the government don't want them there contradicting their bullshit.

That's certainly the message this is sending! Imagine the discussions this afternoon.

I like to think that they've gone on strike!

Why aren't they asking!

Science is now irrelevant.

Actually I'm imagining that all the scientists are in a zoom call together having a beer (though Jennie Harries seems like a woman who likes a G&T) and laughing at Matt Hancock.

I may have had a bad day with work and the teenagers.

I may also have a secret crush on Chris Whitty though I'm sure it's purely on the basis that he reminds me of my husband

This isn't a good briefing is it :(

Oh and it's getting worse... This guy knows his stuff

He doesn't want to go to the zoo

Car crash.

It's useless talking about R values in the absence of discussions about prevalence.

It is strange that they are not there and that Hancock hasn't acknowledged or explained their absence. I wonder if there's been a disagreement with regard to the R number stats?

They didn't want to lie about the R rate?

Maybe had he been asked he'd have claimed there were never usually any scientists :) the nation experienced a collective hallucination

Fed up backing up the Tories lies and u turns. They don't want to end up in court when this is all over!

I find it odd that no journalist seems to have asked, or even mentioned their absence. Some of the more recent briefings have been focusing on areas which the scientists would have been well placed to answer questions on, such as masks / face coverings. Yet they're not there.

Because Matt Hancock knows it all and doesn’t need anyone else! Questions still unanswered about the R number, except that now we know that all the reports are read by Matt Hancock and he decides what to listen to/believe, how reassuring......

BBC touched upon it (said it is the only time its happened in all the briefings)

The press must have been briefed as they tend to ask a question to each don't they?

Hancock forgetting the question asked..... excruciating!!

• press were briefed as to Hancock being alone.

@Crunchymum but they did also say they don’t know the reason for it

Maybe having a well deserved break. I thought the journalists didn't know who was going to be on each day, there was a lady on earlier in the week who didn't get any questions at all and I thought then perhaps they weren't expecting her to be there.

GrimmsFairytales I was just saying that to dh. I think they turn up with a question, don't they, and are probably wary of watering it down. But it was still a surprise

Very odd.

Oh dear not a good briefing this evening. He is so stuttery and seems so unsure of himself. They definitely need a scientist to help them out! Yes I wonder whether the scientists are not in agreement and refused to attend.
He didn’t really answer the question about still allowing hospitality and some other areas to open from 4th July.
And forgetting the question ... embarrassing.

I think it is because the R values are not accurate.
PH England and Oxford University published these regional ones today.
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/coronavirus-r-number-north-west-18370083