Great book by a man who stood up and said what he needed to

     I'm talking about Anthony Fauci, who wrote his own biography and I enjoyed listening to him read it in the audio version (from our Libby library on line).

He does spend a lot of time talking about his life, which had made it over 80 years by the time it was written (2024).  So for lots of details, I listened to the first third when he finally dealt with the Aids epidemic and his work in public health helped provide treatments. But then I got a notice from the library that I only had 3 more days to listen to 12 more hours. So I admit I fast forwarded through a lot of his life, because I was particularly interested in his work during the COVID pandemic.

And it was quite interesting...because I found out all the other people that had tried to hamper the efforts to wear masks, to get vaccinated, and to have boosters (including Robert Kennedy, Jr. who wrote the book against vaccinations and has now been appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services for Trump's 2025 cabinet.)  I finally listened intently to the last hour of the book, to find out what was learned by scientists from the mistakes made, and the efforts that might have changed the outcomes and saved many lives.

He said at minute  18:11:29 (my underline)

Instead of concentrating all our efforts against a common enemy, the country was divided about masking, and during the first year the messages from the top were  quite confusing. Political leaders differed on social restrictions of masks and on vaccines, interventions that were clearly shown to save millions of lives. 

Unfortunately, the acceptance of public health measures such as vaccinations was highly politicized as exemplified by the fact that there were fewer vaccinations and more hospitalizations and deaths in states that are predominantly Republican vs. states that are predominantly Democratic. Furthermore, our overall uptick of vaccines was less than most developed countries, and even less than some low and middle income countries. That should never have happened, and likely would not have happened had the right tone been set by the highest levels of government for the promotion of proper health principles and practices right from the start of the outbreak. 

All these weaknesses in our public health response to COVID were profoundly compounded by one of the true enemies of public health, the spread of egregious misinformation and dis-information, enabled by the internet and social media, that unfortunately remains with us today.

OK, I'm off to listen to the last hour of the book. I only had to wait to read it for 5 months in our library system after putting a hold on it (and the audios usually come through faster than the written e-books.)

But I do remember going through the pandemic, and have blogged about it, as probably many other have. So far I haven't caught COVID, and I still wear a mask when in crowds, as well as get boosters when available. My fragile lungs would probably not make it through a bad case, so I am doing all I can to stay somewhat healthy.

And, I not only believe in science...I know it's true. It has a system in place such that one or two anecdotal stories are not considered truth. The hypothesis/theory testing method is definitely a good way to approach things. Then publications which are peer reviewed...so anyone can't just claim that their thoughts are true, another step to assure me that I'm not being given someone's dreams as truth. Finding a source that publicizes actual scientific documents is my own choice, and I seldom stray into the la-la-land of conjectures.

I am grateful to science, especially medicine. It keeps me alive while this particular disease is still lurking around, and I'll continue to do what the doctors recommend.

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Today's quote (more inspirational):

If time is my measure, then let me fill it to the brim, pouring out my best, sharing my heart, loving all I can, giving all I have. Let no day be wasted, no chance taken for granted, no moment passed by unseen for the blessing it reveals.

STEVEN CHARLESTON

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Today's art:

"Spring Light" by Philip Huckin 

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My family album for today:

Daughter-in-law, Barbara, and oldest son, Marty.  St. Petersburg, FL, holding a pitcher I gave them for Christmas, 2023