Sensational COVID-19 communication erodes confidence in science
(World News Science)

Scientists, policymakers and the media should acknowledge inherent uncertainties in epidemiological models projecting the spread of COVID-19 and avoid `catastrophizing` worst-case scenarios, according to new research from Cornell University. Threats about dire outcomes may mobilize more people to take public health precautions in the short term but invite criticism and backlash if uncertainties in the models` data and assumptions are not transparent and later prove flawed, researchers found. Among political elites, criticism from Democrats in particular may have the unintended...