Sports
The results are in from the Tokyo Olympics: Athletes 1, Covid 0
Leading up to the Tokyo Olympics, there was every reason to believe the performances would be a mere shadow of what was seen at the Rio 2016 Games and earlier. For about a year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, athletes had not had access to trainers and nutritionists who could help build musculature and physical capabilities, commensurate with that athlete’s sport.
By Ray Stefani
Sports
The results are in from the Tokyo Olympics: Athletes 1, Covid 0
Leading up to the Tokyo Olympics, there was every reason to believe the performances would be a mere shadow of what was seen at the Rio 2016 Games and earlier. For about a year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, athletes had not had access to trainers and nutritionists who could help build musculature and physical capabilities, commensurate with that athlete’s sport.
By Ray Stefani
Science
How ideas from decision theory can help guide our actions
The UK is currently experiencing an infection wave following the co-occurrence of the highly transmissible Delta variant and the relaxation of social distancing measures. Opinions were divided on the wisdom...
By Sylvia Richardson and David Spiegelhalter
Culture
Probability puzzle: Higher or lower?
Once upon a time, Play Your Cards Rightwas a popular Australian and British TV game show in which contestants were dealt one card face up and several cards face...
By Michael Fletcher
Science
How ideas from decision theory can help guide our actions
The UK is currently experiencing an infection wave following the co-occurrence of the highly transmissible Delta variant and the relaxation of social distancing measures. Opinions were divided on the wisdom of the decision to relax all social distancing rules in England from 19 July. Without taking a view on the policy, as statisticians we can ask how this decision was made – and in particular, whether a systems view was taken.
By Sylvia Richardson and David Spiegelhalter
Culture
Probability puzzle: Higher or lower?
Once upon a time, Play Your Cards Right was a popular Australian and British TV game show in which contestants were dealt one card face up and several cards face down from a standard pack of 52 cards. The aim of the game was to guess whether the next card along was higher or lower than the face-up card.
By Michael Fletcher
Politics
Forecast error: 2020 US presidential election predictors
Early in 2020 the 45th President of the United States Donald J. Trump looked forward to the coming election. A billionaire property developer who had acceded to the presidency after a surprise win in 2016, he anticipated winning his second election as most sitting first-term presidents do. Then the pandemic happened.
By Timothy Martyn Hill
Politics
Forecast error: 2020 US presidential election predictors
Early in 2020 the 45th President of the United States Donald J. Trump looked forward to the coming election. A billionaire property developer who had acceded to the presidency after a surprise win in 2016, he anticipated winning his second election as most sitting first-term presidents do. Then the pandemic happened.
By Timothy Martyn Hill
