Science Will Win
Dear Chemistry Colleagues,
Our department is in the Eberly College of Science, one of the most prestigious colleges of science in the world. We are departments of Biology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Physics, Statistics, Math, Astronomy, and yes Chemistry. We pride ourselves on using rational, non-emotional, logic to arrive at conclusions. We pursue basic and applied knowledge, and we have made contributions that have led to deeper understanding of energy, the cosmos, and human disease. We value the empiricism that leads to these truths, and we appreciate how they help humanity. So it is with this backdrop that I look with bewilderment at plots that show the US having nearly 1,500 cases of COVID-19 per million residents, while others have 100 or fewer cases per million residents, including Canada and all of Europe. As of today, more than 150,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus.
What could be at the root of this problem? One major compounding factor is a decidedly anti-science sentiment pervading the US. For instance, Sinclair Broadcast Group, which is highly influential and operates 193 television stations, recently published an interview with a discredited scientist, who claims that Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the NIAID at the NIH, created the coronavirus. Fox News continues to put out stories promoting hydroxychloroquine, even when the FDA revoked emergency authorization of the drug because it was found to be risky and ineffective. President Trump stopped his daily health briefings with Dr. Fauci in April and now does them without health experts present. Studies suggest that misinformation from President Trump emerging from these briefings is making large numbers of Americans believe coronavirus conspiracy theories and is discouraging them from taking steps to protect themselves. Moreover, Trump continues to tweet links to videos, such as one from Breitbart that claims masks are unnecessary and that hydroxychloroquine cured the virus. To give an idea of the negative impact of this video, before it was taken down, it had over 10 million views on Facebook, shared largely by anti-vaccination movements and conspiracy theories. Additionally, the President has promoted a doctor who has claimed alien DNA was used in medical treatments. And just yesterday, Texas Representative Louie Gohmert, blamed his occasional wearing of a mask on his testing positive. This anti-science culture is a major factor preventing our country from doing what other countries are doing, squashing the virus and returning to work, to school, and to normal.
It is hard to face COVID day in and day out. Recently, a student said to me that they long for a time when the word COVID isn’t said every day, 20 times a day. I couldn’t agree more. Many of us are tired. The New York Times recently reported “a pervasive sense of sadness and exhaustion” after interviewing 20 public health experts on the pandemic. So what do we do? What can we do? I think we as scientists can start by not pointing the finger. We share some of the responsibility for anti-science culture, by not getting the word out to the public about our work. We can also start by being patient and polite, and explaining that masking and socially distancing are necessary and that the scientific enterprise will find a vaccine or even a cure. Last week, I watched in admiration as one of our department’s staff members patiently explained to the janitorial staff why he chooses to wear a mask and why he takes the precautions of disinfecting and socially distancing to help fight the virus. If we see someone not wearing a mask, the way to combat this is not to shame them or curse them, but to be patient. To say, “I don’t like to wear a mask either, but here’s why it is important.” As scientists, we need to explain to the public why our research is worthy of their generous support as tax payers. Pfizer has a commercial called “Science Will Win,” showing a diverse group of scientists explaining that the path forward lies in science. And it does now, as it has in the past. Effective vaccines and drugs will get us out of this mess. And we need to remember that the pandemic isn’t just about science—there are pervasive issues of equity, healthcare, racism, and poverty as well. But science will lead the way out. As a department and as a college of science, that is our shared privilege and our responsibility.
With Warm Wishes,
Phil