Making Sense with Sam Harris #190 — How Should We Respond to Coronavirus?
Mar 10, 2020
Nicholas Christakis, a Yale University Professor specializing in social and natural science, joins to discuss the coronavirus pandemic. They explore the need for proactive school closures and the critical role of social distancing in flattening the curve. The conversation critiques false comparisons between COVID-19 and the flu and highlights issues with political messaging and public trust in experts. Christakis shares insights on the interplay of community transmission and individual responses, emphasizing the importance of transparent communication in managing the crisis.
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Stop Physical Contact
- Stop shaking hands and hugging; it's not friendly, it's rude and oblivious to risk.
- Work from home if possible; companies should implement this policy now.
Work and School From Home
- Companies should implement work-from-home policies where possible.
- Schools should move classes online, like Stanford has done.
Proactive School Closures
- Reactive school closures, when a case is present, help, but aren't as effective.
- Proactive closures, based on community spread, are much better.
