This is an op-ed by a former local TV news reporter, now columnist.
Lee Cataluna: 10 Lessons We Should Have Learned From The Pandemic - Honolulu Civil Beat
Some "lessons" are specific to the local situation, others are universal.
I don't necessarily agree with all of them, but here are some eloquently stated gems:
Excerpts:
"Politicians gravitate toward self-serving decisions, even in the most dire circumstances. Every decision, from whether to wear a mask in public to what design should be printed on a mask worn in public, is calculated in terms of public image, fundraising impact and appeal to voters, which has made all of Covid-19 public information from politicians so fraught."
"Science is not fixed. It evolves. Despite your high school science teacher who taught like everything on the test is set in stone, actual scientists strive to learn new things. Sometimes, the new information leads to new guidance that is different from previous information. This is a good, smart thing."
" We expect government officials to tell us what we want to hear, and when they instead tell us the truth, the rumbling starts for them to be replaced. This is another reason truth can be so elusive. It is sometimes unwanted or not tolerated. "
"There is no cure for stupid. People who cling to bad information, nonsensical explanations, conspiracy theories and a gleeful disdain for science cannot be taught, convinced, cajoled or enlightened. Step aside and keep moving forward. They’re on their own. "
"Some people will reject truth, science, logic and lifesaving medicine and will die happy knowing they weren’t “fooled.” "
Lee Cataluna: 10 Lessons We Should Have Learned From The Pandemic - Honolulu Civil Beat
Some "lessons" are specific to the local situation, others are universal.
I don't necessarily agree with all of them, but here are some eloquently stated gems:
Excerpts:
"Politicians gravitate toward self-serving decisions, even in the most dire circumstances. Every decision, from whether to wear a mask in public to what design should be printed on a mask worn in public, is calculated in terms of public image, fundraising impact and appeal to voters, which has made all of Covid-19 public information from politicians so fraught."
"Science is not fixed. It evolves. Despite your high school science teacher who taught like everything on the test is set in stone, actual scientists strive to learn new things. Sometimes, the new information leads to new guidance that is different from previous information. This is a good, smart thing."
" We expect government officials to tell us what we want to hear, and when they instead tell us the truth, the rumbling starts for them to be replaced. This is another reason truth can be so elusive. It is sometimes unwanted or not tolerated. "
"There is no cure for stupid. People who cling to bad information, nonsensical explanations, conspiracy theories and a gleeful disdain for science cannot be taught, convinced, cajoled or enlightened. Step aside and keep moving forward. They’re on their own. "
"Some people will reject truth, science, logic and lifesaving medicine and will die happy knowing they weren’t “fooled.” "
