National Post (National Edition)
‘INDEFENSIBLE’ SCENARIO
In transparency, ‘we are presently behind Iran’
Justin Trudeau’s reluctance to release projections that model the COVID-19 outbreak was called “indefensible” on Thursday.
After several days of facing questions about releasing the models, the prime minister hinted on Thursday that Canadians would see national epidemiological modelling information about the outbreak “in the coming days.”
But his failure to release the information immediately drew fierce criticism.
“As censorship goes, as opacity goes, this is the most intellectually foolish, indefensible example that I’ve ever seen,” said Amir Attaran, who is a professor of both law and medicine at the University of Ottawa and has a doctorate in immunology and infectious disease. “It’s shocking. I mean, I’m almost speechless on this because there is absolutely no traditional reason for keeping this secret.”
Attaran said Canadians need to know what information the government is using to make policy decisions about the pandemic. These models can also provide crucial feedback to the government. For example, a study from the Imperial College in London predicted half a million deaths in the United Kingdom if drastic interventions weren’t undertaken, prompting a policy U-turn from the British government.
“I’ll give you examples of two countries not exactly celebrated for their transparency that have released their COVID-19 models. One is Singapore and the other is Iran,” said Attaran. "In transparency and accountability, we are presently behind Iran. Let that sink in.”
As censorship goes, as opacity goes, this is the most intellectually foolish, indefensible example that I’ve ever seen — Amir Attaran, professor of both law and medicine at the University of Ottawa