Thread by @DrCOmole

Every Pandemic has elements of unknowns. D challenge with Covid is some folks have tried to say with certainty what was yet an unknown. So science is now beginning to get a bad name as WHO shifts some of its earlier positions. The caveats that has been missing is problematic.

The 1918 Pandemic Virus was not fully discovered until 1933. So scientists were dealing with lots of unknowns during the pandemic in 1918-1920. What is happening now is Scientists have not been transparent enough to put caveats around guidance & honestly say they were not sure.

I think the problem or mistake that was made from the start is WHO and scientists made it look as though they knew enough about Covid to inform specific policies when in fact there were lots of Unknown unknowns. And their actions were out of caution which is understandable.

For instance; WHO said in March that face covering Does Not work and not necessary. But last week; they changed their mind that it is now advisable to wear face covering where you cannot socially distance. Science seem to be following the news and not leading it.

I am not blaming WHO fully here. I am just saying Govts have to decide, Science is only a guide. But credibility of science will depend on how it is presented. "Lets do this out of caution" is better than saying "Science says we must do this". The Tone matters. As we proceed....

...Many of us will be wiser only with Hindsight. Personally; what the revisions from WHO says to me is DON'T PANIC, BUT KEEP TAKING COMMON SENSE PRECAUTIONS. There is nothing to fear. No to hysteria. Those shouting Apocalypse may have gone too far. Be safe but be calm.

I am not a scientist. But as a Strategist; I believe the management of Covid by the scientist community could have been much better. Advice and common assumptions have been presented as Scientific Facts. Caveats have not been used enough. But we all live and learn

What Nigeria & other nations should have done better is Have robust Home grown scientists to advise them. Rather most nations depend on CNN & WHO to plan and make policies. We need our own domestic cohort of experts who will reflect our peculiarities & act in "National Interest"