Scientists, like barbers, are made out of humans.

To err is human & unfortunately some errors have consequences which effect more than just the person who erred or the present moment.

Thankfully, to learn is also human–we today and those who came before are not always right forever, irregardless of our beliefs to the contrary.

The human traits which can lead us to err can also be those which allow us to learn from our mistakes–individually &/or collectively.

While a student at Virginia Tech (VT), I audited a graduate course on the historiography* of Sir Isaac Newton’s contributions to science, so I was elated to discover diligent people (some at VT) had looked back to see where a lot of the “assumed” hard truths of our medical beliefs came from.

In the article linked below I think you’ll see why human ego & stubbornness both hindered scientific understanding and ultimately led to the recent (though hushed) correction of said error.

“The 60-Year-Old Scientific Screw-up that Helped Covid Kill”

Having read it I have a better understanding for where the some of the discrepancies in health guidelines came from over the past year +. I admit I’ve been really baffled since I first read about respiratory spread in March 2020.

~ aL

* historiography – the study history
the critical examination of sources; by whom and in what cultural context was it recorded

For years some clients have conversed about how Life would be better if we all, as a society, knew how to care for ourselves and each other as human beings. Today I read an opinion piece about possible moral changes which could come from having to face our shortcomings as a country during this global pandemic and thought to share it with you.

The following is a small excerpt mirroring conversations I’ve had with clients of all backgrounds & beliefs:

“All across America, millions of people live in precarity, one step ahead of financial ruin, with lives that can be upended overnight by a health or employment twist entirely outside of their control. Metaphorically speaking, this country is full of viruses — poverty, poor health care, inequality, systemic discrimination, loneliness, and isolation — that infect innocent victims every day by the thousands. Those victims deserve care as well, and not churlish, moralistic, “means-tested” care. Just care, enough to get by and to live a life of dignity.” – David Roberts May 16, 2020 (originally published in March)

If you wish to see the above in full context, read The Moral Logic of Coronavirus on Vox.com.

I met my first COVID-19 survivor today. A new client came in who recently relocated from Connecticut where he’d tested positive back in March. Still not emotionally impacted by COVID-19, so I remain intellectually fascinated, yet cautiously concerned. Hope you’re doing well.

~ aL