Dr. Anthony Fauci angrily pushed back Monday against criticism related to the release of his emails under freedom of information laws.
Fauci’s critics have focused on his advice, early in the pandemic, against wearing masks. Others have homed in on a series of partially redacted emails from Facebook’s chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, who contacted Fauci to thank him for his leadership and invite him to participate in an online Q&A.
Fauci responded in an interview with the New York Times that those who are attacking him are “actually criticizing science.”
“It is essential as a scientist that you evolve your opinion and your recommendations based on the data as it evolves,” Fauci said. “… And that’s the reason why I say people who then criticize me about that are actually criticizing science.”
Fauci added: “The people who are giving the ad hominems are saying, ‘Ah, Fauci misled us. First, he said no masks, then he said masks.’ Well, let me give you a flash. That’s the way science works. You work with the data you have at the time.”
Later in the interview, Fauci specifically targeted “far-right, radical people who clearly are trying to discredit me.”
Fauci’s argument that ‘recommendations evolve with the science’ is objectively valid. What he fails to acknowledge, however, is that the ‘evolution of the science’ has increasingly validated arguments against his prior recommendations. That naturally serves to strengthen the resolve of those “‘ar-right, radical people’ and lend credibility to their arguments.
It is equally valid to argue that science is constantly evolving (except in the case of global warming, apparently). But again, Fauci weakens the credibility of his current recommendations by acknowledging that fact. What will his recommendations be six months from now? What, if any, side effects will scientists discover related to the vaccines? Hesitation and skepticism are justified.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is considered America’s top expert in the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic. As a result, his recommendations were the primary consideration in government officials’ decision to intentionally destroy a robust economy by shutting down the entire country.
Thousands of small businesses and jobs were casualties of the decisions that were made based on Fauci’s recommendations. Crime increased. Rates of domestic violence spiked. The national debt skyrocketed. Some Americans were so overwhelmed by hopelessness and fear that they tragically made the decision to take their own lives.
Yes, science evolves. Fauci’s recommendations evolved. And looking back, we now know that many of the burdens our nation suffered were the result of decisions and recommendations that proved to be unnecessary and wrong.
People are angry and looking to place blame. Deserved or not, Dr. Anthony Fauci is the guy in charge, and therefore, the primary target for criticism.
Fauci’s pompous comments directed at his critics are as arrogant and tone-deaf as it gets. But science evolves. Perhaps Fauci’s character will evolve as well.
https://omny.fm/shows/mock-rob/fauci-doubling-down-saying-if-you-criticize-him-yo
