More or Less

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Glasgow vs Rwanda Feb 06, 2021

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Tim explores a shocking claim that life expectancy in some parts of Glasgow is less than it is in Rwanda. But is that fair on Glasgow and for that matter is it fair on Rwanda? And a listener asks whether loss of smell is a strong enough symptom of Covid that it might be used to help diagnose the virus, replacing rapid testing.

Presenter: Tim Harford Producer: Chloe Hadjimatheou

(Left: Rwanda refugee - photo Reza. Right: Glasgow homeless man - photo Christopher Furlong / both Getty images)

Teachers, Test & Trace and Butterflies Feb 03, 2021

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Prominent Labour politicians have claimed teachers are more likely to catch Covid-19, is that true?

England’s Test and Trace programme has been widely criticised, has it raised its game in recent months? A ferocious row has broken out between scientists about how effective fast turnaround Lateral Flow tests are, and how they should be used. We examine the data.

Plus, we examine a claim from Extinction Rebellion that British butterflies have declined by 50% since 1976.

The Rapid Test Row Jan 30, 2021

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A ferocious row has broken out among scientists about new coronavirus tests. Lateral flow tests provide results within minutes and some scientists believe they are offer accurate enough results at a speed that could allow us to resume business as usual. Others think they are so poor at detecting the virus that they could pose a huge danger.

In this week’s More or Less, Tim Harford looks at the evidence and what we know about these new tests.

Deaths at Home, Supermarket Infections and the Cobra Effect Jan 27, 2021

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Since the start of the pandemic there have been many warnings that people might die not just from the coronavirus itself, but also if they didn’t seek medical help out of fear that hospitals might be dangerous. Is there any evidence that this has happened? David Spiegelhalter is on the case.

The UK is in lockdown, but tens of thousands of people a day are still testing positive for Coronavirus. Where are they catching it? Grim data on drug deaths in Scotland has been called into question on social media. We ferret out the truth. Plus, what can venomous snakes tell us about the government's plan to increase the number of people self-isolating?

Deaths at home, supermarket infections and the Cobra effect Jan 27, 2021

Show notes

Counting Covid’s impact on GDP Jan 23, 2021

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GDP figures for the period covering lockdown appear to show that the UK suffered a catastrophic decline, worse than almost any other country. But as Tim Harford finds out, things aren’t quite as bad for the UK as they might seem - though they might be worse for everywhere else. Also, alarming claims have been circulating in the UK about the number of suicides during lockdown. We look at the facts.

There is support for the issues discussed in the programme at help.befrienders.org

Presenter: Tim Harford Producers: Nathan Gower and Chloe Hadjimatheou

(Robots work on the MINI car production line at the BMW plant in Cowley, Oxford, UK. Credit: Tolga Akmen/ Getty Images)

Will the vaccine bring back normal life? GDP and Fishing Jan 20, 2021

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The vaccine rollout continues: how long will it take before we see the benefits, and what benefits will we see? Figures suggest the UK’s economy performed worse than almost anywhere else in the world during the pandemic. But are the numbers misleading us? Alarming claims have been circulating about the number of suicides during lockdown. We look at the facts. Plus, will UK fishing quotas increase two thirds in the wake of Brexit? We trawl through the data.

Will the vaccine bring back normal life? GDP and Fishing Jan 20, 2021

Show notes

The vaccine rollout continues: how long will it take before we see the benefits, and what benefits will we see? Figures suggest the UK’s economy performed worse than almost anywhere else in the world during the pandemic. But are the numbers misleading us? Will UK fishing quotas increase two thirds in the wake of Brexit? We trawl through the data. Plus, alarming claims have been circulating about the number of suicides during lockdown. We look at the facts. If you are experiencing emotional stress, help and support is available at BBC Action Line: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4WLs5NlwrySXJR2n8Snszdg/emotional-distress-information-and-support

How effective is one dose of the vaccine? Jan 14, 2021

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A lot has changed since More or Less was last on air. We give you a statistical picture of the second wave: how bad is it, and is there hope? The new vaccine regime is to delay the booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine for up to 3 months. But is the first dose 52% or 90% effective? A new virus variant is meant to be 70% more transmissible, what does that mean? Plus, one of our youngest loyal listeners has a question about her classmates names.

How effective is one dose of the vaccine? Jan 13, 2021

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