So many treatments for COVID and so much confusion. Why?

Does plasma work or not? Will steroids be life saving or life threatening?

This thread explains why this “confusion” is the normal scientific process and how to deal with it.

1/
With every disease, we conduct studies to see whether a certain treatment would help/harm

Just like anything else, studies vary in quality. Some are well done; others are poorly conducted.

Doctors and scientists carefully review them in academic circles.

2/
We don’t jump at every media blitz because the first rule of medicine is “DO NO HARM.”

Most viral infections heal by themselves. The last thing we want is to harm people with an ineffective drug.

But the urgent nature of COVID makes it difficult for clinicians to hold off

3/
Whether plasma work or not, whether steroids work or not, which vaccine is the best, and which test should be done first are questions doctors deal with ALL THE TIME in every disease

This is the scientific process

You call it “confusing” we call it “caring.” Accuracy matters

4
What to do?

Don’t read any study as the final word. COVID won’t have ONE cure. We will get there by a hundred small steps, each building upon the previous one

Don’t self medicate. Defer these life and death decisions to your doctors

Find the best doctor. Then trust them

5/
For physician colleagues

This is the time to serve people, with pure intentions. Let’s be compassionate. Use a drug if benefits outweigh risks. Build consensus among ourselves. Stay humble yet honest. Give hope within the realm of honesty.

This “confusion” will end one day

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