Thread by @MackayIM

A small Comms thread.
I've written-as an amateur-about Comms in the past. These aged posts may or may not still be of interest/relevant to some among my new Tweep horde:
📝virologydownunder.com/science-needs-…
📝virologydownunder.com/social-media-a…
📝virologydownunder.com/science-and-ou…
📝virologydownunder.com/conference-twe…

One thing I'd like to stress, from recent & growing experience, is that in an interview of any kind it's okay to say:
🎤I don't know
🎤This is outside my expertise
🎤We need to do more research
🎤That's a great question for Dr XYZ

And the answer I'm growing fond of during this event...
🎤My answer would only be a guess, & I don't think that will help anyone understand anything
Even if an *informed guess*, make this point clear, because we need to constantly remind the public that we know we don't know all

Each week or few days, #COVID19 generates a new "shiny new thing" (SNT). Some of these have been the wrong things to focus on but they are still of interest or concern to the public (remember - these are who you are communicating with, not your peers)

Topics that may have been more distraction (dumb, wrong, no evidence either way, evil, dangerous) than useful include:
🦄can I catch SARS-CoV-2 from my >vege<?
🦄SARS-CoV-2 contains HIV
🦄virus is a bioweapon!
🦄numbers aren't perfect
🦄'they' are evil
🦄country x differs from y?

If you think the SNT is too silly or potentially dangerous-carefully, politely & without condescension, make that point. But explain why.
Think on the fly and push back. Sometimes you can avoid being sucked into answering SNT questions directly-educate on the broader real point

Some of what you say might still be lifted and made into a written story (if a radio interview for example). That can also happen with what you say here on Twitter (Ps and Qs people). Life is risk.

Stepping up to simplify & clarify (which scientists can sometimes still do even if outside their lane) is sometimes a far better option than letting the vacuum be filled with a noxious gas(bag) or an inexperienced non-scientist.
Science is always about learning new things