05/11/2026
TLDR: Always seek convergence of expert evidence to avoid the danger of a single story
The first U.S. case of hantavirus from the MV Hondius outbreak has been confirmed. Another U.S. passenger from that cruise has symptoms. 17 Americans aboard this ship arrived by plane in Nebraska in the last 24 hours for assessment and monitoring.
I am not panicked. I am also not feeling particularly reassured after the CNN interview of Acting CDC Director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, about this evolving situation. He said nothing of material consequence.
Here, again, as I did within days of the Covid-19 national emergency declaration in 2020, I urge people to examine where there is convergence of expert evidence. Not the divine word of single people. Not social proof on platforms that optimize for your attention by amplifying fear and outrage generating content. I am referring to a kind of 'peer review,' a process to which science is also subject as it evolves.
In scientific peer review, experts in a given field are interrogating data continually. In the people's peer review, we should be evaluating whether distinct questions from distinct parties using distinct methods of investigation and lenses of interpretation lead to similar conclusions. That surfaces what may be most true or relevant about the thing being scrutinized.
Whether with Covid-19, hantavirus, or for informal family caregivers of people living with dementia (PrognosUs), I am always trying to synthesize expert information with you to determine how it is relevant to your life (and mine).
But, please - don't just take my word for it.
