COVID-19: A Call for More Scientists to Engage in Politics

Should science and politics intersect? There is a long-running notion that scientists should “stick to science” and not engage in the political arena, so they don’t risk tarnishing their image as objective non-partisan truth-seekers. However, this viewpoint ignores that science has always been political. Scientific research in the United States is largely funded by the federal government and proposed annual budgets highlight which research areas the president and his administration want to prioritize. Officials also appoint science advisors for their input, issue executive orders about how certain types of research are to be conducted and instruct government scientists on how they communicate their work to the general public. 

The enterprise of science - gathering data, analyzing the data, and reporting the results - is not in itself a political activity. On the other hand, deciding what to do with the data is. Government officials will consider or dismiss scientific evidence to varying degrees, and will sometimes spread misinformation themselves. Science is crucial for issues such as climate, the environment, healthcare, pandemic responses, and more, and it needs to play a vital role in our responses to these issues.

Evidence-Based Policy and COVID-19

The intersection of science and politics is laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Government officials are taking scientific evidence into account - or completely ignoring it - in their responses to this crisis.

In the absence of decisive federal action, state governments are addressing the pandemic, with many governors pledging to let science guide decisions about reopening economies and when to lift stay-at-home orders. Some states, however, have already eased restrictions, despite warnings from public health officials that it was too early to do so. 

The Trump administration has also been dismissive of science during the pandemic. Funding from the U.S. to the World Health Organization has been cut, along with funding for research studying bat-to-human transmission because of the research group’s supposed ties to China. The White House also shelved the CDC’s guide to safely reopening the country. The pandemic task force prevents government scientists from speaking directly to the public, and officials such as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have pushed a conspiracy theory that the coronavirus originated from a lab in Wuhan, China. 

Trump himself has spread misinformation about the virus and how to treat it. At one point, he hailed the malaria-fighting drug hydroxychloroquine as a “game-changer” and a potential cure for COVID-19. However, there is no evidence that it is an effective treatment. Nonetheless, hyping up hydroxychloroquine led to shortages of the drug, and people took matters into their own hands with disastrous consequences. More recently, Trump floated the possibility of injecting disinfectants into patients’ lungs to treat COVID-19, and he suggested that his science advisors look into that as well as the use of U.V. rays and light as treatments. He later claimed the comments were “sarcastic,” but not before doctors, and companies like Lysol had to rush to warn people not to ingest or inject disinfectants.

Trump’s tendency to ignore science is nothing new, as he and his administration have dismissed or censored science on topics such as climate change and environmental protections in the past. Yet during a pandemic, such a pattern of behavior is a matter of life or death for millions of people, not only in the United States but around the world. 

Scientists in Politics 

Science has not always been at the forefront of decision-making when it comes to tackling COVID-19. This is a time when it is needed more than ever to inform decisions about containing the spread of the virus, researching it, and developing treatments. Although the American people have to wait until November to either re-elect Trump or remove him from office, scientists can begin participating in politics now. With our training in the scientific method and knowledge of our respective fields, we can make meaningful contributions to how the general public perceives the issues, share our insights with elected officials, and advocate for evidence-based policies. We should do all we can to ensure that science has a seat at every table where decisions are being made.     

How can scientists get involved? There are plenty of options available to us, from the local level to the federal government. Some possibilities are:

• Community Outreach - As scientists, we can discuss the issues surrounding the pandemic with our communities: basic facts about the virus and disease, the need for protective measures such as social distancing and face masks, and dispelling misinformation that may arise. While most of the country is stuck at home, the internet and social media are great tools for having these conversations. 
• Talk to Elected Officials - Communicating with our elected officials is essential, but it is especially important when it comes to COVID-19. Since in-person meetings may not be an option during the pandemic, we can turn to phone calls, emails, and letters to get in touch and share our views and insights. Find out how to contact your representative in the House here and your Senator here.
• Engage in Science Policy - Any scientist who wants to directly engage with government and policymaking might consider working in science policy, either as a supplement to their research or as a full-time career. Many policymakers rely on trained scientists to communicate scientific concepts and make policy recommendations based on the available evidence. The American Association for the Advancement of Science offers a science policy fellowship, and many states are starting to offer fellowships. Scientists can also get involved in local advocacy groups such as 500 Women Scientists or university-associated science policy groups to advocate for science and evidence-based policy.
• Run for Office - Not everyone will want to hold elected office, but it is an opportunity to bring science more directly to the lawmaking process. A record number of scientists ran for office in the 2018 midterm elections at both the federal and local levels, many motivated by a desire to stand up for science and represent it at all levels of government. The group 314action supported the election campaigns of many scientists and engineers elected in 2018, continuing to provide support during 2020. 

With our training and knowledge, scientists have a unique ability to guide conversations about important issues and influence policy and law on those issues. Our involvement and advocacy are important: we can ensure that science has a seat at any table where decisions are made, during COVID-19 and beyond for any other challenges we may face.

Author

Anna Stovall, @AK_Stovall
PhD candidate in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Buffalo. Studies how a fungal pathogen survives nutrient stresses inside the human host. Before quarantine, enjoys spending time with my friends and checking out  restaurants, shops, and festivals. During quarantine, spends time knitting and cooking.