Thread by @DrZackaryBerger

I have nothing against #PlasmaTherapy for Covid. I've looked at the data. It might be helpful. We need a trial.

Now, imagine if the attention paid to this *one potentially marginally helpful therapy*....

...was devoted, as well (not even "instead") to those sick with Covid. /1

What I mean is this. I'm a believer in biomedical interventions. Heck, I'm a board certified internist. Biomedicine is part of what I do.

But only a part.

So much of the help I try to give patients is not available./2

Not because "it's not my expertise" or any such Pinkerian BS. It's because our priorities are off.

Can we pay workers to stay home?

Can we cancel rent?

Can we give food to the hungry?

Can we make Covid care free?

Darn right we can. /3

But all incentives are aligned to focus EXCLUSIVELY on individual biomedical interventions that (wait for it) make someone money.

Again, I'm not against it.

Which do you think would help more people?

Paying workers to stay home?
Or plasma therapy?

I'm just asking./4

We have pharma companies.

Do we have organizations for large-scale delivery of food, housing, and other aid?

Sure we do. But they are scorned and underfunded.

we need to realign priorities./end