Against the Rules with Michael Lewis Episode 7: The Person Who Knows
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May 24, 2022 The podcast delves into the U.S. response to the pandemic, revealing the hesitations that arose despite having a plan in place. It draws parallels between past pandemics and COVID-19, emphasizing the need for early interventions. There's a candid look at the struggles within academia and the burden of misinformation on healthcare workers. Personal narratives highlight the emotional toll of loss, while discussions on the pursuit of scientific knowledge stress the importance of humility in expertise during uncertain times.
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1918 Pandemic Analysis
- In 2005, Carter Mecher and Richard Hatchett were tasked with creating a national pandemic plan.
- They discovered that cities with early interventions in 1918 had lower mortality rates.
US Pandemic Plan Failure
- The US pandemic plan, influenced by Mecher and Hatchett, emphasized early distancing.
- Ironically, the US failed to follow this plan in 2020, resulting in higher death rates.
Stanford Study Influence
- A Stanford study led by John Ioannidis suggested a much lower COVID fatality rate than initially feared.
- This study influenced the Trump administration's COVID response, leading to downplaying the virus's severity.
