Thread by @EricTopol

We had the distinct privilege of talking with @cmyeaton about the pandemic, for which she has been a leading light. medscape.com/viewarticle/93…
w/ @cuttingforstone @Medscape w/ transcript
@JHSPH_CHS

Here's some of the things we discussed and learned from @cmyeaton
1. What prompted her to become an epidemiologist?

2. Dr. Yeaton and colleagues wrote the essential report in April providing guidance for reopening. @JHSPH_CHS
centerforhealthsecurity.org/our-work/pubs_…
If only the states had adhered to the guidelines, we could have achieved containment of the virus

3. 2 sentences that summarize the report

4. Why did we fail? Political pressure, mainly

5. Worst case scenario is the seasonal flu added on. But the good news is how little effect that has had in the Southern Hemisphere

6. How many Americans have been infected now? Some modelers suggest ~15%
She thinks about 10%

7. What about herd immunity?
Below and "Its a bridge too far to say we can rely on T-cell immunity to really change our epidemic dynamics."

8. If you haven't read it, please read her profile in @ScienceMagazine
sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/f…

9. She, like many of us, is very keen on the prospects for rapid testing

10. She's a big thinker and had worked out plans for a Disease Forecasting Center before the pandemic with @dylanbgeorge, something we desperately need for the future

11. What was it like to give testimony on Congress twice on the pandemic?

12. Vaccine implementation will be tricky, tough

13. When do we get back to pre-COVID life?
"I'm thinking toward the end of 2021"
Many factors will influence that projection, such as public trust and willingness, proportion who get the vaccine

14. My favorite @cmyeaton quote is:
"We must not become numb. Those numbers represent people who were loved"
She's a great inspiration, one we surely need these days.