Radio 4 More or Less - Never argue with Mumsnet

[testing987654321]

Just listening to More or Less now which is discussing data about covid-19.

Talking about "armchair epidemiologists" who pointed out how quickly cases were increasing. Mentioned Reddit and Mumsnet. Presenter then said "never argue with Mumsnet".

Makes me proud of this site and the brilliant women on here with their ability to question the news.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000jw02

I heard that. We cheered! I usually boycott anything bbc but allowed it on and am so glad!

I heard that too! I think they were referring to the brilliant series of threads that have been crunching the COVID numbers.

One of the things I love most about MN is the breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise in so many different disciplines on here.

I heard that too! I thought it was an interesting programme this week.

Was it a compliment or an insult?

I have such a crush on Tim Harford.

Lordfrontpaw
You could take it an insult I suppose. You could hear 'loud woman' and take it as an insult but I prefer to take that as a compliment to my strength.
Forceful could be an insult but again I hear that as a positive remark on strength.

Love this will listen OP if only for that one bit!

A compliment. The section was pointing out that people on Reddit, Mumsnet and elsewhere were analysing the figures and found the official analysis wanting.

I heard that too; Mumsnet were ahead of government figures that suggested cases were doubling every 6 days when it was 3 on 16 March

Thankfully I listened to MN (and also to MN for the Brexit cupboard).

I think that should be on Tshirts.

@UnFuckingAcceptable

Lordfrontpaw You could take it an insult I suppose. You could hear 'loud woman' and take it as an insult but I prefer to take that as a compliment to my strength. Forceful could be an insult but again I hear that as a positive remark on strength.

Absolutely strength - but could also be read as 'bully'. I'll need to listen! You would never argue with my grandma - but she was madder than 100 boxes of frogs.

Is it really ‘armchair epidemiologists’ or that the anonymity possible on MN allows some experts, who normally have to toe various lines, to speak freely?

Think they were referring to data-driven threads with excellent contributions by Barracker, ShootsFruitsAndLeaves, BigChocFrenzy and nellydoo among others.

They were pointing out how evidence went against some of the prevailing COVID headlines. Great analyses on those threads if you are interested!

The calculations were all based on reasonably straightforward (though well-informed) analysis of publicly available data, so there’s no particular reason to expect that these were whistle-blowers as opposed to interested laypeople armed with Google and a spreadsheet.

Really good programme - particularly about how other countries are fudging their numbers to make them look like they're handling this thing better than they have!