> Double-blind RCTs are the gold standard. They are also extremely slow. Appropriate for efficacy testing of new treatments, not as much for public health mes

> Double-blind RCTs are the gold standard. They are also extremely slow. Appropriate for efficacy testing of new treatments, not as much for public health messaging at the onset of a crisis. It’s important to have a methodological basis for decision making in those early hours where information is sparse and of dubious quality. Without that, people panic and make short-sighted decisions that may undermine the legitimacy of their organization for years to come.