Why I’m a Scientist Who is Even More Worried Now
As a scientist and manager of Health, Environment, and Safety for decades, I am even more worried than I was last week. Then, I wrote about severe political-based restrictions being placed on our institutions that protect citizens from chemicals, diseases, and unknown organisms, such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the US Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Today, Science Magazine, a reputable, peer-reviewed (by other scientists), high-end journal reported additional restrictions that I find alarming:
1. The White House funded a $10 billion program to develop vaccines for COVID-19. However, the stand from the White House is that vaccines will go to Americans first before sharing with other countries. As a scientist, I know this is not the way to fight an epidemic. Vaccines should go where they are needed most, not based on geo-political boundaries.
2. Trump wants to pull out of the World Health Organization (WHO) who he accuses of moving too slowly and failing to confront China. Scientists state his facts are inaccurate about WHO’s role and how the pandemic evolved. WHO is an international organization that offers scientific approaches to global problems. It does not need to be de-funded due to politics.
3. The White House rejected guidance from the CDC on their recommendations for re-opening the United States because they were “too prescriptive and burdensome on business.” A water-downed version was released that scientists warn are inadequate.
I’m very worried that science is now politics. I support scientists.
