TRADITIONALLY, THE VERBAL DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC POLICY BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS HAD TO BE PERFORMED USING BASIC LANGUAGE, WITH DEFINITIVE WORDING, USING SOUND BITES, EVEN IF THE POLICY WAS NUANCED, AND THE SUPPORTING INFORMATION AND THOUGHT PROCESSES WERE COMPLEX, FLUID, AND NONDEFINITIVE.

With the internet of rapidly available information, along with opinion blogs, others can rapidly check an official’s word, work, current and previous statements, as well as obtain contrarian information and viewpoints.

Now, more than ever, public officials need to explain their thinking, their sourcing of information, the implications and consequences of the stated policy, and how officials plan on adjusting a policy in the face of newer and better information.

Charles Tadros, M.D.

February 25, 2023

Saint Louis, Missouri