5 ms·
We began developing modern germ theory in the mid-19th century. We've gotten really good at retarding the transmission of infectious disease. We know what works
by taylodl 2y ago
We began developing modern germ theory in the mid-19th century. We've gotten really good at retarding the transmission of infectious disease. We know what works.
Just like we've known for well over 100 years that CO2 absorbs infrared radiation.
To your point, science is not policy - but policy that is not informed by science is just wishful thinking.
- amluto 2y agoLet’s pretend for a second that we absolutely, unequivocally, know and knew what would prevent transmission of COVID-19 [0]. It still does not follow that anyone in the government saying “stay home” or “no non-essential travel” or “wear a mask indoors” is science. It’s policy. It may or may not be well informed by science and it may or may not be a good idea. Science might be able to determine how disease spreads, but deciding what to do with that information is outside the scope is most science. [0] At least judging by what various branches of the government said and still say, this requires a lot of suspension of disbelief.
- taylodl 2y agoExactly. It's then on the public policymakers to inform the public how the policy was driven by science so that the public understands why the policy is being adopted. Policy answers what? Science answers why?
- Izkata 2y agoThe main competitor to germ theory, terrain theory, has come back over the past twenty years or so under different names, such as gut health.