Coronarivus: ex-UK PM Boris Johnson ‘bamboozled’ by science, Covid-19 inquiry told

Boris Johnson, who used to be the Prime Minister of the UK, found it challenging to understand the scientific details during the COVID-19 crisis. His chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, shared this during a public inquiry into the pandemic. Vallance mentioned that Boris stopped focusing on science when he was a teenager and often needed things explained to him multiple times. Vallance's diary entries, shared with the inquiry, revealed that Boris was often puzzled by the data and statistics.

During the pandemic, Vallance was often seen with Boris, helping to explain the situation to the public. However, he noted that Boris's difficulties with science were not unique, as many world leaders struggled with the scientific aspects of the pandemic. Vallance recalled a humorous incident where European advisers shared similar challenges with their leaders. Boris was hospitalized with COVID-19, and although he was unable to focus while ill, he did not change much after recovering.

The UK suffered one of the highest death tolls in Europe due to COVID-19. Boris Johnson resigned as Prime Minister after it was discovered he had broken lockdown rules. The ongoing inquiry, expected to last three years, will examine the government's response to the pandemic. Boris is set to give evidence before the end of the year. The inquiry will also hear from the current Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, about his controversial 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme, which was launched without the scientists' prior knowledge and contradicted their advice on limiting social contact.