3 ms·
> Ivermectin...never made any sense as a remedy... At the beginning of the pandemic, people looked around for drugs that had previously shown broad antiviral a
by wrp 5y ago
> Ivermectin...never made any sense as a remedy...
At the beginning of the pandemic, people looked around for drugs that had previously shown broad antiviral activity. Ivermectin and chloroquine were among those drugs that showed a positive effect during in vitro studies, indicating that clinical study would be worthwhile. Chloroquine was subject to proper studies, found to be ineffective, and by the end of 2020 had pretty much faded away as a concern. Ivermectin, on the other hand, was immediately made a political issue. Rational inquiry was discouraged and after two years the controversy still continues.
> how about them recognizing that they're Just Plain Wrong
How willing would you be to recognize that you are Just Plain Wrong about this? It goes both ways.
- jfengel 5y agoI'm prepared to be wrong. It happens. All the time. Being wrong is the essence of being a scientist. We call it "hypothesis revision". People aren't always good at letting go of dearly-held truths -- and I am a person -- but I consider it a failing, not a point of pride. So yeah, I could be Just Plain Wrong. But I have, at least, tried really, really hard to take that possibility into account. It's not impossible that I've failed, but neither will I accept the argument (which I have heard many times) that I have to give the possibility equal weight solely on the grounds that somebody else wants me to, and their ignorance on the topic is equal to the overwhelming number of actual scientists who agree with me. I cannot prove, of course, that I am willing. But I am at least willing to say that I'm willing, and give what evidence I can that I'm sincere about that. I do not believe that to be true of those who will continue to tout ivermectin despite the linked article, on top of so many other articles.