As the UK continues to operate under Covid-19 restrictions 18 months after Covid-19 first swept across the globe, a Stanford professor has warned again that lockdowns will be seen as the single biggest public health mistake. Jay Bhattacharya, a professor of medicine and one of the forces behind The Great Barrington Declaration, told The Telegraph's Planet Normal podcast, there have been "enormous collateral consequences" of keeping people inside and isolating them from their loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic. The epidemiologist believes many scientists have clung onto the perceived effectiveness of lockdowns, and they "remain attached" to the idea despite the "failure of this strategy". This is the same message Dr Bhattacharya underscored to Jackie Cameron, host of the RQi: Research Intelligence podcast, in an interview before mass vaccination roll-outs got underway in the US and the UK. Biographical notes: Jay Bhattacharya is a Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economics Research. He directs Stanford’s Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging. Dr Bhattacharya’s research focuses on the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, with a particular emphasis on the role of government programs, biomedical innovation, and economics. Dr. Bhattacharya’s recent research focuses on the epidemiology of COVID-19 as well as an evaluation of policy responses to the epidemic. His broader research interests encompass the implications of population aging for future population health and medical spending in developed countries, the measurement of physician performance tied to physician payment by insurers, and the role played by biomedical innovation on health.  He has published 135 articles in top peer-reviewed scientific journals in medicine, economics, health policy, epidemiology, statistics, law, and public health among other fields. He holds an MD and PhD in economics, both earned at Stanford University. * You are welcome to embed the RQi podcast for free on your website, with full attribution to RQiP: Research Intelligence, hosted by Jackie Cameron (paintedwolfpodcasts.com). If you'd like your research to feature on the RQi show, contact [email protected]. This interview with Dr Bhattacharya was first commissioned by and aired on BizNews Radio's Inside Covid-19 show.

Marketers say they are on the verge of being able to use AI-assisted vocal analysis technology to achieve unprecedented insights into shoppers’ identities and inclinations, says world authority on media systems and industries, Professor Joseph Turow of the University of Pennsylvania. Our embrace of smart speakers, intelligent car displays and voice-responsive phones – along with the rise of voice intelligence in call centres – is a game-changer. Professor Turow sets out the implications of his in-depth research which finds that not only can people be profiled by their speech patterns, but they can also be assessed by the sound of their voices. Alexa, Siri and other voice-activated technologies could be used to spy on you for advertisers and even governments. According to some researchers, your voice is unique and can reveal feelings, personalities and even physical characteristics. He spoke to Jackie Cameron, for Painted Wolf Podcasts, about why we should be worried about the latest advances amid a podcasting revolution - and think twice about joining groups like Clubhouse. Professor Turow is the author of more than a dozen books and hundreds of peer-reviewed articles at the intersection of the media, marketing and society. This interview is based on his research for The Voice Catchers: How Marketers Listen In to Exploit Your Feelings, Your Privacy, and Your Wallet (published May 2021). Contact Jackie Cameron at [email protected]. If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe to the show and share the link with your friends.