Thread on "Masks, Einstein, Interdisciplinary Science, and defeating #COVID."
In 1905, which @AlbertEinstein called his "miracle year", he published four important papers. One of them was on "Brownian Motion":
einsteinpapers.press.princeton.edu/vol2-trans/137
1/
In 1905, which @AlbertEinstein called his "miracle year", he published four important papers. One of them was on "Brownian Motion":
einsteinpapers.press.princeton.edu/vol2-trans/137
1/
Brownian motion is the random motion of particles suspended in a fluid (gas or liquid) as a result of collision with that fluid's molecules.
Brownian motion clearly explains why tiny mucous droplets that are carrying #coronavirus can stay suspended in air for several hours.
2/
Brownian motion clearly explains why tiny mucous droplets that are carrying #coronavirus can stay suspended in air for several hours.
2/
Combined with the observation that the #coronavirus can survive in the air for several hours, it was obvious that masks (or face covers) would be necessary to slow the spread of #COVID.
3/
3/
Yet many public health experts have been discouraging the use of masks (or face covers) up until about a week ago. (Some still do!)
But, fortunately, most experts have realized the importance of aerosolized transmission. See, e.g., @NHKWORLD_News:
4/
But, fortunately, most experts have realized the importance of aerosolized transmission. See, e.g., @NHKWORLD_News:
4/
This issue points to the need for INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENTISTS: had some of these experts known about Einstein's 1905 Brownian motion paper, we could have avoided hundreds of thousands of infections around the world.
5/
5/
I have long been an advocate of interdisciplinary science, and my own research spans mathematics, physics, engineering, environmental systems (e.g., forests, ecosystems), and other Human Systems (e.g., energy, water, food, population, economy).
6/
6/
Highly focused, disciplinary science is important; after all, that is how science has progressed to its current state. As a result, research at universities and research institutions is primarily conducted in separate, independent departments.
7/
7/
But many of the challenging problems that our planet Earth, its habitats, and its species, including humans, are facing can only be solved by interdisciplinary science and engineering. See, e.g.:
8/
8/
Examples of these problems are:
deforestation; desertification; biodiversity loss & species extinction; rising social and economic inequalities; poverty; malnutrition; groundwater depletion; climate change; ocean acidification & warming; loss of glaciers, permafrost; etc.
Ex:
deforestation; desertification; biodiversity loss & species extinction; rising social and economic inequalities; poverty; malnutrition; groundwater depletion; climate change; ocean acidification & warming; loss of glaciers, permafrost; etc.
Ex:
Many more examples of such interdisciplinary challenges can be found in:
academic.oup.com/nsr/article/3/…
and
academic.oup.com/bioscience/art…
10/
academic.oup.com/nsr/article/3/…
and
academic.oup.com/bioscience/art…
10/
The #coronavirus pandemic is the perfect example of a major global challenge that would require interdisciplinary cooperation of:
11/
11/
physicians; scientists: epidemiologists, virologists, physicists (esp. systems experts); mathematicians; public health experts; journalists (for effective education of the public); economists; policy & decision makers; science & health educators; etc.
12/
12/
Most importantly, every member of the society, including children, has to learn and take seriously their responsibility with respect to slowing, and hopefully stopping, this #coronavirus pandemic.
13/
13/
Because #COVID is transmitted by asymptomatic carriers, every one of us could be a potential carrier. So, we all have to participate in BREAKING ITS CHAIN OF TRANSMISSION:
1. Wear masks (face covers);
2. Sneeze/cough into elbows;
3. Do not touch our face;
4. Wash hands.
14/
1. Wear masks (face covers);
2. Sneeze/cough into elbows;
3. Do not touch our face;
4. Wash hands.
14/
The #coronavirus does not understand politics and emotions. So, the media, politicians, and influencers must avoid politicizing the issue.
Most importantly, everyone should refrain from spreading misinformation.
15/
Most importantly, everyone should refrain from spreading misinformation.
15/
In particular, public/gov't institutions have a critical responsibility to publish accurate, honest data about #coronavirus cases, & especially deaths.
Without accurate data, models that inform #COVID decision-making & planning will be blind.
16/
Without accurate data, models that inform #COVID decision-making & planning will be blind.
16/
Moreover, undercounting cases or deaths can give us a false sense of security from the virus, and hence lead to a wider, faster spread of #coronavirus.
The result would be more infections & deaths, and more catastrophic economic and social impacts.
17/
The result would be more infections & deaths, and more catastrophic economic and social impacts.
17/
To defeat #coronavirus, we have to prepare our minds for a long, painful fight that would require clear thinking, unity, respect, perseverance, understanding science, access to accurate data, and above all, putting the good of the public before our self interests.
18/18
/end
18/18
/end
@threadreaderapp unroll
