Re: Helmet efficacy test

Radey Shouman <shouman@comcast.net> wrote:

Roger Merriman <roger@sarlet.com> writes:
 

Radey Shouman <shouman@comcast.net> wrote:

 
[ ... ]
 

Actually I was talking to Mr. Krygowski.  It seems to me that his
standards for studies on flu shots are different to those for bike
helmets, and I was curious as to what had convinced him of the efficacy
and safety of flu shots.
 

I guess one difference is Flu Vaccines are targeted at certain people not
population as whole, I get the vaccine as I’m eligible for few reasons.

 
That would be a difference between the US and the UK.  In the US flu
shots are recommended by the CDC for everyone over the age of 6 months.
In practice some people do get their young children flu shots, I know
that at least one of my cow-orkers does.

It’s free in the UK or rather paid for by the NHS so considering it’s
relatively low efficiency vs other vaccines NHS seems to go for a more
targeted approach.

 
Bike helmets, on the other hand, are recommended only for those who ride
bikes.
 

It’s recommended by Government bodies and most though probably not all
cycling organisations. But not mandatory nor is it likely that any
Government would expend the time and political capital to do so.

 

And yes Flu Vaccines have a fairly low % though does vary year to
year, and is to quote Standford for the common good and all that.
 

On every topic I can remember, save bike helmets and infrastructure,
Mr. Krygowski tells us to believe the annointed experts.  On bike
helmets, the experts are shills, charlatans, and fashion victims.
Perhaps he is right, and bike helmets really are a unique blind spot in
our expertariat.
 
For what it's worth I think Mr. Krygowski is closer to right than wrong
on the subject of bike helmets, but that wasn't exactly my question.
 

Roger Merriman
 
 

 

Roger Merriman