Independent SAGE
Independent group of scientists
The Independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, better known as Independent SAGE, is a group of scientists, unaffiliated to government (although some are also in the government SAGE), that publishes advice aimed toward the UK government regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Its name is based on SAGE, the name of the government's official Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies.
The questions raised about the transparency of SAGE[1] and possible political interference[2][3] during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom led to concerns about trust in public health messaging being raised by scientists and by the media. As an alternative, a group of scientists created Independent SAGE, chaired by Sir David Anthony King, a former Government Chief Scientific Advisor, in early May 2020 to "provide a clear structure on which an effective policy should be based given the inevitability that the virus will continue to cross borders".[4]
The non-profit group The Citizens, created by The Observer journalist and political activist Carole Cadwalladr,[5] were a founding partner with Independent SAGE in May 2020.[6] They continue to support Independent SAGE's social media and web presence.
Public statements
In May 2020, Independent SAGE warned against ending lockdown prematurely in places like schools.[7] In July 2020, they published a strategy pressing the UK government to achieve ‘zero Covid,’ stating ‘The prospect of many thousands of further deaths from COVID-19 over the next nine months is unacceptable,' although in the same report they noted only one infectious disease, smallpox, has ever been successfully eliminated.[8]
In September 2020, Independent SAGE called for immediate government action to prevent further increase in the prevalence of COVID-19 infection, to prevent the need for a second national lockdown.[9]
In November 2020, Sir David King stated that he was considering continuing Independent SAGE's work after the coronavirus pandemic, with a focus on combatting climate change.[10]
Members
Current
Source:[11]
- Professor Danny Altmann
- Professor Anthony Costello
- Professor Sheena Cruickshank
- Professor Karl Friston
- Professor Trish Greenhalgh
- Dr Steve Griffin
- Dr Zubaida Haque
- Dr Binita Kane
- Professor Aris Katzourakis
- Dr Lennard Lee
- Professor Martin McKee
- Professor Susan Michie
- Dr Tolullah Oni
- Professor Christina Pagel
- Professor Stephen Reicher
- Dr Duncan Robertson
- Dr Helen Salisbury
- Professor Gabriel Scally
- Dr Kit Yates
Former
Source [11]
- Professor Kamlesh Khunti
- Sir David King
- Doctor Alison Pittard
- Professor Allyson Pollock
- Dr Deepti Gurdasani
- Professor Deenan Pillay
References
- ^ Landler, Mark; Castle, Stephen (23 April 2020). "The Secretive Group Guiding the U.K. on Coronavirus". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ^ "Revealed: Cummings is on secret scientific advisory group for Covid-19". The Guardian. 24 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ^ "Dominic Cummings attended meetings of scientific advisory group, No10 admits". ITV News. 25 April 2020.
Mr Cummings' attendance has been criticised, with many suggesting it could have politicised decision making.
- ^ "COVID-19: what are the options for the UK? Recommendations for government based on an open and transparent examination of the scientific evidence" (PDF). Independent SAGE. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ Clarke, Laurie (1 November 2021). "Covid-19's rebel scientists: has iSAGE been a success?". BMJ. 375: n2650. doi:10.1136/bmj.n2650. ISSN 1756-1833. PMID 34725051. S2CID 240290264. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "What is Independent SAGE? | Independent SAGE".
- ^ "Not safe to reopen all schools next week, Independent Sage warns". The Independent. 28 May 2020.
- ^ "A Better Way To Go: towards to a Zero COVID UK" (PDF). Independent SAGE. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ Wise, Jacqui (21 September 2020). "Covid-19: Act now to avoid second lockdown, says Independent SAGE". BMJ. 370: m3695. doi:10.1136/bmj.m3695. ISSN 1756-1833. PMID 32958513.
- ^ "Independent Sage scientists to join climate crisis battle". the Guardian. 21 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Who are we? | Independent SAGE".
External links
- Official website
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- COVID-19 (disease)
- SARS-CoV-2 (virus)
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