@NickHudsonCT and I had a relaxed chat with @ScottWAtlas a few days ago. He is currently on retreat to write and to distance himself from the madness he has lived through in the last couple of months.
@ScottWAtlas has been attacked ruthlessly by a politicized media and, worst yet, by his academic peers in a blatant attempt to shut down independent, credible scientific opinion.
Free speech is being stifled and smear campaigns of scientists have become the norm while the public stands by too fearful to see the truth.
Ironically, @ScottWAtlas continues to be defamed when his courage, honesty, and valuable contribution should be respected.
We sensed that @ScottWAtlas is a person motivated solely by public service and uncovering the truth. When his country called upon him, he reported for duty. He stepped forward, despite the liabilities involved with the role.
@ScottWAtlas is a fighter at heart who was ready to sacrifice career, stability and peace of mind to serve his fellow citizens during a dire situation.
He made his recommendations, based on data-driven analysis and his accumulated knowledge as a health care policy scholar for 17 years at the @HooverInst. He continually consulted some of the world's top scientists and economists.
He proposed a sensible, proportionate way to respond to the @COVID19 pandemic. In fact, expertise, such as his would have been a great addition to any government advisory group, as they all lacked broad, multidisciplinary expertise, particularly in analytical health care policy.
From the start, @ScottWAtlas spoke of a targeted approach. It was clear in March that "we have a clear defined population at risk who can be protected with targeted measures"
@ScottWAtlas wrote, "Leaders must examine accumulated data to see what has actually happened, rather than keep emphasizing hypothetical projections; combine that empirical evidence with fundamental principles of biology established for decades"
Efforts and interventions must focus on those who need them, without engendering serious harm to the general population. Moreover, given that we live in a free society, they must be offered to people, not imposed on them.
This was reiterated by the #GBdeclaration authors, led by @sunetra @Martin #JayBhattacharya
From the start, @ScottWAtlas spoke of the harms that the incommensurate response was bound to bring on. He warned about years of life lost, the cost of lockdowns, the impact of lost education, the ramifications of unemployment, and the burden of mental health problems -- particularly for the working class and the poor. His analysis was correct and continues to be validated. But beyond the science, this reflects that he is principled man who cares for his fellow citizens.
From the start, he tried to tell people the truth. "There has been a failure to educate the public that the overall fatality rate is not only far lower than previously thought but is extremely low in almost everyone other than the elderly."
Unfortunately, most citizens still don't know the truth until this day. Individuals are free and fully capable of assessing their own risks and drawing their own conclusions once they have been presented with the facts.
We must give people the knowledge that they need to understand the situation and make informed decisions. @Pandata19, we believe in educating, respecting, and engaging people in the solution.
We wrote out Protocol for Reopening Society based on such principles advocated by our scientific advisory board which boasts 8 renowned members now. @ProfETownsend @MichaelYeadon3 @MLevitt_NP2013 @MartinKulldorff @SunetraGupta
We, @Pandata19, are very aligned with @ScottWAtlas' views. We are very concerned for children and young adults, working and underprivileged people, struggling parents and small businesses.
The lockdowns have harmed them, not the elite, and have created an enormous health crisis for years to come. Health policies must take into account the people who will have to abide by them, not merely please the elite who claim to "know best".
We can only come out of this limbo state of near-paralysis if we come together through our shared humanity. From left to centre to right; from the Americas to Africa to Asia; from rich to poor;from white to black and all the colour gradients in between, we must join together in truth, fraternity and for common good for our world.
Scott Atlas stressed that he will continue to seek the truth, advocate for the public good and defend people's rights to human agency and self-determination. We, @Pandata19, look forward to collaborating with you, @ScottWAtlas. Together, we can re-envision a better world.