We Had Plenty Of Warning. Will Microbes Finally Force Modernization of the American Health Care System?

Mike Magee Science has a way of punishing humans for their arrogance. In 1996, Dr. Michael Osterholm found himself rather lonely and isolated in medical research circles. This was the adrenaline infused decade of blockbuster pharmaceuticals focused squarely on chronic debilitating diseases of aging. And yet, there was Osterholm, in Congressional testimony delivering this message: […]

Is There a “Famous Trio” in Human Science For the 21st Century?

Mike Magee Yale historian, Frank M. Snowden wisely notes in his 2020 book, “Epidemics and Society”, that “We must avoid the pitfall of believing the driver of scientific knowledge is ever a single genius working alone.” To make his point, Snowden tells the story of what he terms “The Famous Trio” – three different scientists […]

David Brooks on COVID-19 Response: Beware of Dread.

Mike Magee On March 12th, New York Times columnist David Brooks indulged in a moment of existential reflection when he wrote, “Frank Snowden, the Yale historian who wrote ‘Epidemics and Society,’ argues that pandemics hold up a mirror to society and force us to ask basic questions: What is possible imminent death trying to tell […]