Gary Markstein for March 20, 2021

Another cartoonist, who is also an expert on medical science. How lucky we are, to have him.

[sarcasm]

Side-by-side headlines in today’s paper: “CDC announces reduced distancing for schools.” “Highest COVID increase is among young people.” Really????

CDC was respected worldwide until Trump tried to destroy it.

Some would have had them withhold all information and guidance until after we knew everything that could ever be known about the virus and all eventual mutations. Imagine if we had held back on entering WW2 until we knew exactly how it would play out? Who was it under “W” that said “You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time.”? Well, you fight a pandemic the same way, with the intell you have at the time. As the intell changes, or as the enemy (virus) changes, so must the battle tactics. (it was said by D. Rumsfeld by the way)

Why do non-scientists expect scientists to be correct 100% of the time, and from Day 1 of any new situation? Why do they distrust and discount the credibility of scientists when they are not able to meet such extreme expectations? Even while their lives are full of comforts and conveniences that science has provided them?

Of course the guidelines change – we are in a steep learning curve. Good thing that scientists still strive to do the best they can for everybody – even the naysayers with their unreasonable expectations and quick critiques.

It does seem this way at times. I’m just happy the kids are going back to school

People who don’t understand how science “works” expect Science and scientists to be “correct” 100% of the time – it never works that way.

It actually is rather like children viewing their parents – when you’re young, your parents have all the answers – as you age, you discover that sometimes they’re wrong so you reject EVERYTHING they tell you – and, finally, when you achieve maturity (if you ever do), you find that they don’t have all the answers, just most of them, and you’re required to evaluate all knowledge in light of your own experience!

Following the advice of real scientists is usually the best path forward, but you must, in any novel situation, allow them to alter advice based on newly acquired data.

Such ignorance…( i wanted to say ..‘Hey Stupid’…but I’m trying to be polite…) As knowledge progresses and the disease morphs along with the vaccines and treatments, guidelines change…otherwise people like yourself would still be falling off the flat earth as you sailed the on your ancient mental sea….

As we learn new information, and as the situation changes, guidelines should adapt. It would be pretty stupid not to.

Hey, Gary, let’s see your medical degree. C’mon, I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. Except that mine is real…

Well, Gary, the thing about science is that it modifies its recommendations as additional data is collected.

Not to mention the transition from an anti-science to a science-based management of the CDC.

Evidence-based practice changes as the evidence is gathered. Casting that as indecisiveness is typical of wingnuts.

Gary, do you get mad at the meteorologist when the weather changes each day? As scientists have more data on Covid-19, they change their recommendations. You seem to grasp the concept, since you’ve illustrated the CDC as a weather vane. I can’t tell if you are simply watching the wind blow or railing against the inevitable changes in direction.

Trump appointees rampant.

Gary, guidance changes as new information becomes available. That’s how the world works.

Science is hard. Following a “leader” is easy.