How Should Scientists Speak During Crises?

FEATURING CHRISTOPHER REDDY - When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in spring 2020, political leaders, state officials, and media pundits were at a loss as to the explanation of what was happening and how members of the public could protect themselves from a deadly disease. There was misunderstanding of the scientific method, and recommendations from government officials were muddled and sometimes contradictory. While hind-sight is always 20-20, in a crisis how scientists communicate and how the public receives that information can be a matter of life and death.