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On @Sawbones an analogy about the COVID vaccines was discussed, courtesy of @JustinMcElroy, that I actually think might be helpful for anyone feeling uncertainty. The vaccines were not rushed in the sense that they are unsafe, but they did happen fast. How is this so? (1/5)
When you order an item or send a package and choose expedited shipping, you pay more. You accept that you are directing more money, resources and time into your package so that it will arrive at its destination more quickly than it typically would. (2/5)
You do not assume, however, that your package will be carelessly hurtled through the air from person to vehicle, that the driver will violate the speed limit to get it to you or that any laws will be broken in order to transport this item as efficiently as possible. (3/5)
We can make vaccines faster when money, resources, time and political and public will are all being used to expedite the process. The science can’t be rushed, but it is not the rate limiting factor here anyway. The product is sound whether we take the fast or slow path. (4/5)
The difference is simply that, when all these other variables are directed toward a common goal, we can arrive there sooner and, therefore, save more lives. Or get that new waffle maker here in time for Christmas. Whichever you were going for, really. (5/5)
