One of the ways I keep informed professionally is through participation in e-mail discussion groups. I’m a member of a few which are focussed on medical microbiology, infectious diseases, and public health. During a pandemic, such a resource is valuable and members lean on one another and rely on one another to share pertinent and up to date information.
Breach of trust
It’s often in these discussion groups that something new will be shared and knowledge refined, and theories for helping people developed into something that can be implemented.
This week in two of these discussion groups there have been breaches of trust. Rogue members have defied the rules. In one group, a member tweeted screenshots of a conversation which included comments from a senior public servant who was trying to help infection specialists better understand and implement government policy. Her position has been compromised.
In another group, entire e-mail threads have been forwarded to journalists whose aim in life is auto-erotic self-aggrandising ego-stroking by trying to get a comment or opinion critical of decision-makers. It further depresses the opinion I have of journalism in general.
At a time when information can improve the prospects of many people who will be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, trust is so important. Professional people need to be able to share ideas, they also need to be able to ventilate their frustrations when they feel overwhelmed, especially if they feel their leadership is failing them.
Now is not a time to breach the trust of people willing to share their opinions and knowledge.
What have I watched this week?
As much as I don’t like the ABC, I’ve been watching ABC news because it’s less annoying than the news on commercial free to air TV channels.
What have I listened to this week?
As much as I don’t like the ABC, I’ve been listening to the ABC news because it’s less annoying than listening to commercials on the radio.
What have I eaten and photographed this week?
Photographs
This is a gallery of photographs. Click on one image and scroll through the rest of them.
Yummy Lummy this week
Sadly no blog this week.
Random Yummy
Sadly no posts this week.
Final thoughts
- Do you participate in e-mail discussion lists?
- Do you follow the rules of the group?
- What do you think should happen to those who break the rules?
You are doing a great job Gary…keep safe. One thing…that muffin is huge!!
Thanks, Sue. I like a big muffin 😃
Gary, I feel your pain. I work in research and development in biological agent defense systems metrology among other parameters of the measurement sciences. My team has a pathogen detection capability that is unlike any currently available because it uses a new nano technology. I realized that this technology could be brought to bear on the fight long before the word pandemic was learned by the masses. I was shouted down and attacked where the most agregious charges were leveled against me by a single person, a low level manager who feared he would have to answer questions by senior government officials. He killed the project to preserve his comfortable ignorance thus condemning thousands to death. We cannot bring to fruition the salvation we seek because of pettiness. I call it cowardice but sadly, the cowards are the one who get all the positive attention, while the ones on the front lines of the medical response to a world disaster perish in the wave of avarice, power mongering, and attention seeking for personal gain. Don’t give up Gary. Nor will I. We have a fight ahead. We’ll fight rampant ignorance and a deadly virus and we will win if we don’t give up. You are my hero Gary. Fight the good fight.
Thanks Daniel. We mingle in related worlds…
We do indeed Gary.
So sorry that happened, Gary. It is important for people to be able to have frank and fearless discussions, especially in times like this. It is sad some people then took the opportunity to try and promote themselves, at the expense of their colleagues.
Hope you keep well, I can’t imagine how much work you’ll have on over the next few months.
Thanks, Tim. It’s pretty busy. I’m doing my best to pace myself