Fauci is a scientist. Science is not magic. Science is not concrete. It evolves with each new observation and experience. In a crisis, prudent health officials must act on current knowledge and adjust as knowledge evolves. Just like rational humans do when facing the day-to-day experience of life.

The public character assassination of Anthony Fauci was a political spectacle of deflection and distraction. I cheered every “Under advice of counsel, I assert my 5th amendment rights.” Yes, it was unwise for Dr. Fauci to record his private journal on an official system. But, as a career public health official for over five decades, I imagine his personal identity was so fully merged into his public existence that he did not give that a thought. I’m sure he would have omitted many things had he known the congressional TMZ channel would air his words on its never-ending soap opera they pretend is governing. Ego on display? An 80-year-old scientist, like an eighth grader invited to the cool kids’ lunch table, had an involuntary ego explosion. A politician lambasting anyone for an overblown ego trip is simply laughable.

Let’s review objectively. Fauci and the CDC were charged with protecting the public health of 350 million economically and culturally diverse Americans who are physically scattered over 3.8 million square miles. The agency was faced with a novel and deadly threat in a politically charged environment while the administration minimized the severity of the situation and spread misinformation and voodoo un-science as its response.

Fauci is a scientist. Science is not magic. Science is not concrete. It evolves with each new observation and experience. In a crisis, prudent health officials must act on current knowledge and adjust as knowledge evolves. Just like rational humans do when facing the day-to-day experience of life.

It seems that the abiding rule would be to act on what you know and assume nothing about what you don’t. If a rifle is not available, use a shotgun. Mitigate as much harm to as many people as possible. Airborne person-to-person transmission? Wear masks like in any hospital or other environment where contamination is a concern. Where and when is it necessary? We’ll figure that out. Vulnerable people (believed to be everyone in the beginning) congregating increases the risk. Broadly limit gatherings until we know more. Just do whatever we can until we know more. Thus was the approach of the CDC in providing guidance (it was guidance; mandates were overwhelmingly state and local jurisdictional decisions). Every decision and guideline issued in that period was without fail attacked and dismissed by people, most of whom benefited from the attention their attacks brought to their political image, social media profile, TV ratings or self-aggrandizement.

For three horrible years, the attacks and second guessing continued and continue today as evidenced by Rand Paul’s hearing. Now with hindsight, and assuming even the slightest good faith by involved agencies, the attacks feel political and self-serving. Over 1.2 million Americans lost their lives; worldwide over 7 million died, and many studies indicate the numbers are understated. Economic damage was in the billions. The impact on workers, students, business owners, communities and the survivors of those taken, many of whom died before we even understood what was happening, is immeasurable. Doing something more, something less or something different would obviously have changed outcomes. For the better, for worse? We cannot know. I just know that I’ll take the judgment of an Anthony Fauci over that of a pundit, politician, TV show host or mouthy man on the street then, now and forever going forward.

Political expediency overarches our discourse today. It is fed by massive egos, and the unimaginable thirst for power and greed for the spoils of our corrupt political system. What Rand Paul and his despicable cohorts said and did in that hearing is unconscionable. Every one of them knows better. Perhaps someday we will have representatives who will do better. I was enraged by their orchestrated performance; but I am simply saddened by the damage done by such displays and the light they shine on our flailing system of government.