Week 15 response - Why We Should Value Expertise, but Fear Expert Power

"What are some dangers of giving too much power to experts?" - @lavender22

In my opinion, some of the dangers that can result from giving "too much" power to experts actually results from their specific expertise. While doing one thing can help one cause, it can actually harm another cause, meaning that a balance that benefits both causes is the ideal solution. Sadly, that balance is rarely achieved. One glaring example that many would cite from the past year is the government reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic. While the experts recommended shutting the entire economy down and in some places forcing people to stay home, there are many consequences to this type of policy.

First of all, these polcies were meant to be for 2 weeks so that hospitals could prepare for the sick but they have lasted for months. People lost ther jobs, meantal health has gone downhill, suicide and drug overdoses have increased massiviely, obesity has increased, and it seems the virus was barely slowed down. In addition, about 40% of the money supply was printed in less than a year which is resulting in inflation that disproportionally affects the lower and middle class that dont have assets and will hurt out economy in the long run. While I understand the need to react to a virus that makes people sick and has killed many people, there are many consuquences to this policy that were either unforseen or ignored.

Overall, expert power is a good thing, but maybe we should give others that data and allow themselves to make their own decisions instead of forcing people out of work and into poverty. While the opinions of experts should 100% be valued and taken into consideration, government policy should not be dictated by a few experts simply because the situation seems dire.

References:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm