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The virus had not been well characterized at all, yet they were very certain of the opinions they expressed to the public. I can't forgive this.
by Demonsult 6y ago
The virus had not been well characterized at all, yet they were very certain of the opinions they expressed to the public. I can't forgive this.
- tombert 6y agoIt wasn't like they just guessed or anything. IIRC they had a test where people coughed into a petri dish with and without masks. The initial results showed that there was coronavirus on the outside of the mask, leading them to conclude that the virus is able to get through the mask. They weren't able to realize they were incorrect on their conclusion until they looked at the cultures a few weeks later and measure the amount of coronavirus in them. I could be wrong on that, if someone is better-informed please correct me, but that's what I read somewhere. EDIT: Just to clarify before I'm downvoted, I do actually agree they were a bit too hasty to tell people not to buy masks. Having the surgeon general tweet out saying "Seriously people, DO NOT BUY MASKS" was definitely premature and obviously led to a lot of the problems we're having here now. I just wanted to point out that it wasn't a completely unfounded take, just premature to make huge decisions like that.
- snowwrestler 6y agoI don't think this is fair; in real time you have to either go with what you think you know, or do nothing at all. If they'd done nothing at all, I think they would still be getting at least as much criticism now.
- Demonsult 6y agoWhy not advise to err on the side of caution until a meaningful quantity of knowledge is available?