In science we trust: Dr. Celine Gounder on trust, disinformation, & COVID-19 (EP.19)

Civic Rx

Yesterday, we inaugurated a new president and vice president, and with them, a government invested in science, grounded in evidence, and committed to transparent and compassionate leadership.

Today, they face a global pandemic that has devastated the American economy, stolen 400,000 lives, and disproportionately harmed the poor and people of color. They also inherit a country deeply divided, suspicious of truth, and more vulnerable to disinformation than perhaps at any other time in our history.

To achieve any real progress in beating back the pandemic, they -- with us all -- must commit intently to combatting disinformation and restoring trust in scientific expertise. Honest, transparent, straightforward science communication is key to this mission. The past 10 months have demonstrated that the success of even basic public health measures like mask-wearing and social-distancing hinges on how well they are communicated, and who does the messaging.

To begin to plumb the complexity of communicating effectively, during this public health crisis, I wanted to talk to my dear friend, frequent media commentator, and brilliant epidemiologist, Dr. Celine Gounder.

Dr. Gounder is an infectious disease doctor and clinical assistant professor at New York University, the Founder and CEO of nonprofit multimedia organization Just Human Productions and, until just yesterday, a member of the Biden-Harris Transition’s COVID-19 Advisory Board.

She’s the perfect person to help us understand why effective science communication is so critical to curbing this pandemic, and what has made it in turn so elusive. And I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome her to the show.

To learn more about Dr. Gounder, check out her website.

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