The human mind has some serious limitations. Even when we believe we are thinking clearly, we are often irrational and emotional. Psychologists have identified more than a hundred cognitive biases – systematic errors in thinking – that we are prone to. As a result, many governments worried that their citizens could not be trusted to deal with a crisis as serious as a pandemic in a measured and thoughtful way – fearing society would descend into chaos.

But other research suggests this reasoning is flawed. How people respond to a crisis cannot be determined by the psychology of individual minds alone. For example, our decisions are also influenced by the information and funds we have access to. And as the pandemic has shown, people often develop a shared sense of identity with those around them at a time of crisis, staying calm and supporting each other rather than panicking.

The UK government's failure to understand the complex nature of human behaviour, blaming individuals instead of providing support and fostering community, may therefore ultimately have fuelled the pandemic.

In other news, it turns out that we have been measuring energy efficacy in homes all wrong. And a new study shows that it may be wise to start mixing the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines.

Finally, apologies that this newsletter has been sent out late, due to a production glitch.

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