I’ve written about science for many years, mostly space and astronomy topics. It’s actually quite satisfying to do this work. I get notices of people’s scientific accomplishments, and I get to tell their stories. It is, after all, people doing science. It just doesn’t do itself. The planets and stars and galaxies will continue to do their thing. Our observations of those objects and their activities will help us understand them. Same with any other science.
Science is a process of discovery. It doesn’t stop at one “aha!” moment. Science discovery continues from one moment to the next, as new data comes in. Data points are the core of science. Gather enough data and you have something to talk about, to make models of, to construct theories and rules about what you have observed. That’s the way science works.
So, for example, in the current pandemic crisis, what science can do is gather data points about rates of infection. That information is gold because it helps us do more to help prevent the spread of the disease and help those who have it. We can also learn how to avoid getting it based on data.
For this one, researchers need a LOT of information. They can use data from places where the infection rate is rising or falling. They need information about who is affected and how it was spread. Scientists can look at who survives and who doesn’t, and what measures were taken to help the survivors. Researchers also need data about populations and relative rates of infection over time. And, they can use this and other information to figure out how best to treat it, where to send much-needed medical equipment, and so on.
Oh, and they can work toward creating a usable vaccine. That seems pretty straightforward. And, that’s how it should work.
Science Denialism
There are people in the world who don’t like science. They fear it. Or they fear what it might tell them. Or they fear what it might say about their political “leadership”. So, they deny it. Or they threaten the scientists doing the work of understanding things.
In most cases, people deny facts that are clearly right in front of them. We are seeing a lot of that today, with the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 epidemic it is causing. In addition to the truly silly conspiracy theories about the sickness, there are people who are spinning data points out of context, or simply not collecting or reporting data at all.
There are likely political reasons behind the slow reporting of infections. However, there are also some practical reasons and those need to be overcome. One of the biggest issues is that there aren’t enough tests being made available in the U.S. to definitively test everyone who may have the virus.
Another obstacle: not everyone who has the virus shows symptoms. As in any other science, medical people have to have actual examples of the subject in front of them. In medicine, someone with symptoms gives them information. Someone without any symptoms isn’t going to present themselves. And, thus, medical researchers and doctors can’t even begin to consider if someone has the virus or not.
In addition, folks without symptoms have no way of knowing that they do have it. That also contributes to a lack of data. And, strong science requires strong data points. Science about this virus and its effects needs better reporting. That’s a fact. It will help people learn WHY social distancing is so important, why staying home and following cleanliness guidelines may help save their lives or the life of a loved one.
I hope that more data will be reported. As doctors and others get a handle on the many side effects of this virus, how the illness it causes presents itself, and other aspects of the epidemic, I want to see them get what they need to know. It’s the only way to understand this particular pandemic.
Just the Facts, Please
We all should hope that medical science gets what it needs. Our lives depend on it. Our societies can’t function without more information. Scientists can’t make headway on understanding this illness or the virus without information. Worldwide honest reporting of data is important. This isn’t the time for political posturing or national pride that might prevent accurate numbers from getting out. Just the facts: they are the heart of science.