Welcome…
• Alas, more complicated than simple town v. gown politics would suggest, the unfortunate – albeit somewhat understandable – urge to treat desperately ill COVID patients with unproven therapies has resulted in significant delays in understanding which therapies actually work and under what conditions they might do so. It’s done this by in many cases making it very difficult to recruit adequate numbers of patients to randomized, blinded, prospective controlled studies that should have given us more answers by now. (Headlong rushes to preprint publication haven’t helped.) This NYT article by Susan Dominus is illustrative: The Covid Drug Wars that Pitted Doctor vs. Doctor
“Though I may not be here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.
When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.”
From his final essay; RIP, John Lewis.
Recommended:
I have to admit I really look forward to reading Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American. You can read archives and/or sign up or subscribe here: Letters from an American
• Neowise is growing dimmer, so if you get the chance, take the opportunity to see one of the solar system’s great shows, a comet close enough to be seen, tail and all, with the naked eye. I took this last night at Sepiessa.
• Richard North Patterson takes a good look at how Trump has fueled the increasing American tendency (at least in some circles) to disrespect expertise: Trump and the American Idiocracy