We can not fix public health until we reckon w/ how institutions have failed public’s trust (harmful advice, contradictory rules, overconfidence, disbelief of suffering patients). Patronizing "shut up & trust the experts" is not going to address this 1/
https://twitter.com/math_rachel/status/1465904363126149124
Some folks tell me experts gave the best advice known at the time, that nobody knew, that the evidence changed.
I need to share a few receipts. In March 2020, I publicly advocated for ordinary people to wear masks, at a time when CDC & WHO said not to 2/
I need to share a few receipts. In March 2020, I publicly advocated for ordinary people to wear masks, at a time when CDC & WHO said not to 2/
In March 2020, I said young & healthy people should NOT assume they were safe from potential long-term impacts of covid. I shared historical review of flu pandemics leading to neurological problems. 3/
From the start, there was scientific evidence to support the benefits of masks and the risks of post-viral illness. Others held these views too, but they were NOT the mainstream narrative of public health leaders in the West nor of doctors quoted in mainstream media. 4/
Science is political. It does not just progress inevitably, and the work of activists makes a difference. Early in pandemic, @jeremyphoward & #masks4all movement changed awareness, media narrative & policies around masks. 5/
https://twitter.com/math_rachel/status/1453146704639709188?s=20
Also, all of this is STILL happening. Last week, CDC director recommended *hand-washing* as a key covid mitigation. I truly want our institutions to be trustworthy, but being able to sit back & unthinkingly trust is not our current reality 6/
https://twitter.com/math_rachel/status/1466141719892688899?s=20
In 🇦🇺 prominent pediatricians have been feeding anti-vaxxers w/ unfounded concerns about vax safety and misleading reassurances on “mildness” of both covid & longcovid, while I can't wait to get my 6-year old vaxxed (won't be available until Jan) 7/
https://twitter.com/math_rachel/status/1454242957259800578?s=20
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