Turn to ‘real’ experts for best information

It’s laughable whenever somebody says “I did my own research” and then commences to state something absurd, such as that vaccines and masks are more dangerous than COVID, or that manmade global warming is a hoax. Using an internet search engine or social media to find sources that agree with your preconceived beliefs is what’s known as “confirmation bias,” not research. Research is the process of systematic inquiry entailing data collection, documentation of critical information, and analysis of that data and information, in accordance with methodologies set by specific professional fields and academic specialties.

I’m not qualified to “do my own research” on virology or climatology. Chances are, neither are you.

Fortunately, we have a team of 15,000 physicians, entomologists, scientists, epidemiologists, toxicologists, chemists, and others who are eminently qualified to conduct research on virology on our behalf.

They work at the Centers for Disease Control, and they’ve analyzed billions of data points and have concluded that masks and vaccines are safe and effective.

And fortunately, for questions regarding the climate, we have a team of 12,000 meteorologists, biologists, climate scientists, and uniformed service members. They work at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and they have determined that global warming is real, anthropomorphic in nature, and a serious threat to mankind.

Please, listen to the qualified, unbiased, objective experts, not a local weatherman or your cousin’s friend’s neighbor on Facebook.

— Scott Paulo, Chico