Little Things that Don't STAC Up

Economical with the Truth

So now we know that political decisions are being made without reference to STAC

https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2021-01-20/jerseys-stac-committee-wasnt-consulted-over-christmas-gathering-rules

In an extract from minutes dated 7 December 2020, the Independent Advisor for Epidemiology and Public Health is recorded as saying “the advice around Christmas should have been considered by the Cell before being presented to the Competent Authorities.

"Those measures, together with the closure of the restaurants and pubs, were amongst the most significant interventions taken during the pandemic, so it was important that, as much as possible, they were based on scientific evidence. The decision to introduce those mitigations, without consultation with the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell, brought into question its role.

And yet I'm sure at the public briefings we were told by the politicians that they were following advice!

The Director of Strategy and Innovation said, as the decision had been made by ministers, their input was not needed. Well, I wish the Ministers had said as much! "This is our decision and it was made without consulting STAC.". No, I didn't hear anything like that.

It seems they are no always to be trusted, and in the notable words of Sir Robert Armstrong, the Cabinet Secretary, were being a bit "economical with the truth". At least minutes have now been released up to December, although it would be nice to also see what STAC thought about schools reopening.

Schools Statistics: 0/10 for not trying

https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2021-01-20/more-le-rocquier-students-to-learn-from-home-due-to-teacher-shortage

"More students at Le Rocquier will now have to learn from home. Year 8 and 9 students are already attending school on alternate days, due to a shortage of teachers. Now, Years 7 and 10 will also have to stay at home on alternate days for at least the next two weeks, as the number of absent staff is expected to rise due to illnesses and contact tracing."

But how many cases have arisen in schools, and how many students and teachers have had to self-isolate as direct contacts of active cases? We simply don't know. This important statistic is just missing, and any cases are pushed into "cohort screening" (which also includes families) or "seeking healthcare", and no separate figures are given.

The Generals and the Front Line: Ignorance at a Distance 

https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2021-01-20/jersey-student-i-dont-want-to-wipe-out-my-vulnerable-family

Meanwhile, we have a student who is concerned because she lives in a house with parents and grandparents. What's the policy on return to school and shielding if that is the case? She's naturally very concerned, and notes that "she, and other students in a number of schools, have witnessed examples of pupils not heeding the hygiene, mask and distancing guidance."

Jersey's acting Minister for Education is passing the buck: "Headteachers can provide reassurance about the measures that schools have put in place and have the ability to consider alternative arrangements in exceptional circumstances."

But why hasn't this scenario been discussed with STAC? Shouldn't there be general guidance provided in such particular circumstances rather than an ad hoc way of doing things? STAC is there as a sounding board, so why doesn't the Education Minister put the problem to them, to get some useful scientific guidance to pass on to head teachers. 

Incidentally, this also shows the mantra from Ministers that schools are safe is based upon no real-life observations from within the schools to see that guidelines are being followed, and clearly they are not. The generals are far from the front line troops, issuing orders with invincible ignorance of conditions there.