Why is the question we often fail to answer as scientists. We tend to focus on how. But the public wants/needs the answer to why. Here is an example on why it matters: 1/6

In the 1950's my mother, @mpoppendieck, was given her first film camera when she was 7. My grandparents told her not to open the back of the camera. So what did my mom do immediately after she took her first picture? 2/6

Opened the back of the camera! She wanted to see the picture she just took. Her parents processed the roll of film when she was done and were surprised that EVERY picture except one came out all black (my mom had opened the back each time)! 3/6

Although @mpoppendieck never fessed up to her parents, she had figured out the answer to the "why" question as her parents never bothered to answer it. 4/6

Why does this matter? In all science we need to communicate better why what we are doing matters. Why we are coming to the conclusions we are making. 5/6

We need to say SARS-COV2 is airborne. Not just tell people to wear masks. 6/6