The contribution of science to the betterment of society is as indispensable as it is incalculable. Our belief in science, fact and reason are what separates us from other species.
Science reveals truths, which is precisely why it is opposed by autocrats, dictators, buffoons and their propagandists. Let there be no doubt, however, that science will help end Coronavirus.
So here’s to the scientists on the front lines of this pandemic, be they heads of government such as German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel or world-class researchers such Dr. Christian Drosten, chief virologist at Berlin’s Charité Hospital.
There are very good reasons why people trust Merkel, Drosten and the immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci (in photo) in this country. They follow Winston Churchill’s prescription for communicating during a national crisis (See Pandemic Edition #6), which means being fact based, honest, accurate, clear, consistent, empathetic, realistic and yet hopeful.
Merkel, Drosten and Fauci are joined by other exemplary explainers-in-chief such as Dr. Massimo Galli, the director the Infectious Disease Department at Luigi Sacco University Hospital in Milan, Professor Sotirios Tsiodras leading the medical aspects of Greece’s response, Dr. Fernando Simón, the director of Spain’s Health Emergency Center or the terrific Dr. Sonia Angell who leads California’s Department of Public Health. Her daily briefings with Governor Gavin Newsom are very well done.
These people are experts with a wonderful knack for communicating unpretentiously. They are direct and even-keeled in their delivery. The vast majority of citizens trust them and respect that they know their stuff.
Indeed, when lives are at stake most people choose not to deny the inconvenient realities that science presents. They leave science-denying to the amateurs, bloviators and propagandists. For this, we can be very thankful and deeply appreciative of our men and women of science.
Science reveals truths, which is precisely why it is opposed by autocrats, dictators, buffoons and their propagandists. Let there be no doubt, however, that science will help end Coronavirus.
So here’s to the scientists on the front lines of this pandemic, be they heads of government such as German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel or world-class researchers such Dr. Christian Drosten, chief virologist at Berlin’s Charité Hospital.
There are very good reasons why people trust Merkel, Drosten and the immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci (in photo) in this country. They follow Winston Churchill’s prescription for communicating during a national crisis (See Pandemic Edition #6), which means being fact based, honest, accurate, clear, consistent, empathetic, realistic and yet hopeful.
Merkel, Drosten and Fauci are joined by other exemplary explainers-in-chief such as Dr. Massimo Galli, the director the Infectious Disease Department at Luigi Sacco University Hospital in Milan, Professor Sotirios Tsiodras leading the medical aspects of Greece’s response, Dr. Fernando Simón, the director of Spain’s Health Emergency Center or the terrific Dr. Sonia Angell who leads California’s Department of Public Health. Her daily briefings with Governor Gavin Newsom are very well done.
These people are experts with a wonderful knack for communicating unpretentiously. They are direct and even-keeled in their delivery. The vast majority of citizens trust them and respect that they know their stuff.
Indeed, when lives are at stake most people choose not to deny the inconvenient realities that science presents. They leave science-denying to the amateurs, bloviators and propagandists. For this, we can be very thankful and deeply appreciative of our men and women of science.
Dr. Anthony Fauci image courtesy of NIAID-NIH