Being the Epidemiologist in the Boardroom...

Epidemiologist in the Boardroom, 2020-2021: More Unknown Unknowns

An epidemiologist in the boardroom? I’ve been “The Epidemiologist in the Boardroom” for over 20 years. But only this past year have I been repeatedly thanked for curating and interpreting for my fellow directors masses of data, statistical models, extrapolations, predictions and basic physics – like why aerosolised viral particles in enclosed spaces should be a major worry. It has been an honour and a solemn task.

I have occasionally reached out to wider audiences. Like my Opinion in The Guardian that evoked a huge response, describing the shock and cognitive dissonance of visiting my 106-year-old mother in the US. The difference between how Australia and the US approached the pandemic was night and day.

My Opinion published earlier this year foreshadowed the uncertainty and constantly shifting guidelines, constraints and lockdowns we have indeed experienced: so much unknown about this virus, yet officials have had to make what I term “100 % of the decisions with 5% of the information needed.”  It is simply not prudent to wait. Lives hang in the balance.

Sadly, the coronavirus is likely to deal us many more “unknown unknowns” – what further mutations will we see this year and next? With initial vaccination so slow, especially in poorer countries, how will countries manage to immunise people against new variants? What level of herd immunity is achievable? And effective against this evolving virus?

And more personally, because my mother in the US turns 107 tomorrow, when will we be able to travel out from Australia for the joyous, life-affirming occasions that make it all worthwhile?