April 1st

Thankfully, science and the people who actually practice science aren't at all like politicians and the people who practice politics (or at least, they shouldn't be). There is no such thing as a "flip-flop" in science, New and reliable data are integrated with and/or replaces older data, and theories are modified as a consequence. There is no such thing, despite what progressives continually tell us, as a final scientific "consensus." Scientists may agree until the experiments and/or data they have used to form their agreement are proven incorrect or flawed. Science continually adapts to the real word and does so without shame or excuses.

That's not the case in politics. Once politicians take a position, they're accused (by opponents) of flip-flopping if that position changes. No matter that facts of the ground have changed, that their original position is now proven to be wrong, or damaging, or ridiculous—it's what they believed in the beginning and they're sticking to it. Crazy.

All of this is particularly relevant as the COVID-19 debacle continues.

Although the Democrat politicians on Team Apocalypse keep telling use that they're guided by "data" and "science," what they really mean is they've taken positions based on data that have now been proven to be grossly inaccurate and by science that is now outmoded because actual scientists have already adapted to a new reality (and much better data) and left the politicians far behind.

Enter the media's public health oracle, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Based on very early data that overestimated COVID-19 morbidity by an order of magnitude or more, Fauci, along with many other public health professionals, recommended a complete shut down of the economy to "flatten the curve" and allow time for our hospitals to prepare for an onslaught of virus victims. Initially, the shutdown was to have lasted 15 days.

Even after 15 days, many (including yours truly) expressed grave reservations about its continuation. Recognizing that the world and the USA had survived other viral pandemics without a shut down [think: Hong Kong flu (1968-69), 100,000 deaths in the USA or swine flu (2009), (13,000 deaths and 35 million cases in the USA)], we began to question Fauci's absolute insistence that the shut down continue. 

We asked why new data on COVID-19 (indicating that although very serious, it was not the bringer of armageddon) was not given heavy weight in in future decision making. We asked why obviously flawed predictive models continued to be used and referenced. We asked why schools were to be permanently closed for the year when irrefutable data indicated that COVID-19 presented little real threat to children and young people. We asked why the economy was to be shut down when new data indicated that younger workers in the workforce were not in significant danger from the virus. We asked why the damage done by the shutdown (economic and health effects) wasn't modeled and considered in decision making.

But Fauci and his cohorts were adamant. He refused to adapt as new and more accurate data was presented. Shutdown—good and effective. Re-opening—bad and very risky. Because that dovetailed perfectly with a Democrat and media narrative that saw political opportunity in a wrecked economy and millions of unemployed, Fauci attained oracle status.

And now, just this week, Oracle Fauci tells us that continuing the shutdown has it own risks and that a shut down can't be sustained indefinitely and will cause "irreparable damage." Ya think! 

Of course, the media downplayed those comments (doesn't fit the narrative) and some Dem governors like Gretchen Witmer (MI) insist on continuing the shut down into June.

Here's the problem: The Oracle Fauci did NOT adapt as new and reliable data were integrated with and/or replaced older data. He did not modify his position, despite criticism by many experts in his profession (the media helped the Oracle by ignoring that criticism). He acted more like a politician than a scientist, and continued to give actual politicians bad advice. 

Today, he tells us that a continued shutdown can cause "irreparable damage." It already has! Might have been a good idea to have mentioned that way back on April 1st.