After all the travel shaming, and carbon footprint cackle, funny how the loudest noises are now arising from those fearful about the real-world and everyday consequences of travel curtailments (businesses, jobs, education, entertainment, supply chains for essentials and so on).

I remember history and economics school lessons vividly in the winter of 1983, at a time of immense political, economic and social change in the U.K. 3 million people out of work, the march of Thatcherism and the rolling back of labour union power. Those real-world lessons, application of conceptual learning and lively debates was some of my most enjoyable and memorable learning.

You’d hope teaching faculties around the globe are doing the exact same now for our children with their understanding of “systemic risk” (the risk of ruin). The intersection of maths, science and real-world risk. The assembly of preventative and contingent actions. Decision-making under uncertainty (high volatility or low predictability). The blowing up of ideologies and myths that aren’t supported by robust statistical and factual evidence (perceived, actual and catastrophic risks).

Into a headwind of very dangerous forecasters (journalists, WHO, medical experts), who are not experts in probability, it is easy to be misled (false positives and false negative). Don’t miss the opportunity.