Navigating Fame and Criticism in Science

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The chapter explores the unexpected fame of a guest epidemiologist during the pandemic, known for their teaching and research. It discusses the challenges of receiving criticism at the top of the scientific establishment, the importance of humility in decision-making during crises, and the significance of clear public health communication. The chapter also touches on the politicization of COVID-19 hypotheses, gain of function research debates, and suspicions of cover-ups related to the virus's origins.

Jay Bhattacharya is a Professor of Health Policy at Stanford University and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economics Research. He directs Stanford’s Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging. His work focuses on the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, with a particular emphasis on the role of government programs, biomedical innovation, and economics. His recent research is on the epidemiology of COVID-19 as well as an evaluation of policy responses to the epidemic.

Shermer and Bhattacharya discuss: loss of trust in medical and scientific institutions • how well did lockdowns and masks really work • Lab Leak vs. Zoonomic hypothesis • hydroxychloroquine & ivermectin • debating anti-vaxxers, RFK, Jr., and conspiracy theories • myocarditis, Robert Malone, mRNA vaccines, Joe Rogan, Peter Hotez • The Great Barrington Declaration • the cost to the economy and education • which countries and states did better or worse.