Public health communicators should stop telling people to rely on their instincts

The tragic death of 16 children has made the headlines, and health services are struggling to cope with a surge of anxious children and their parents.12 In the meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has disseminated public health advice through outlets, including schools, to raise awareness among parents about the actions to take if a child is symptomatic. [...]do parents always know when their child is "not themselves?” We know that appraising your own symptoms is challenging. 10.3399/bjgp16X685621 27215569 13 Rubin GJ Dickmann P. How to reduce the impact of "low-risk patients” following a bioterrorist incident: lessons from SARS, anthrax, and pneumonic plague.