The photo is the front cover of a
issue of LIFE magazine. LIFE magazine was first published in 1883 and was a weekly publication until 1972. It was a popular magazine and it popularity was attributed to its use of excellent photography to chronicle events of the day. This issue was devoted to the race for the heart. The article and photography chronicled the race to perform the first successful heart transplant. This was one of the questions on a history quiz in high school. The answer was Dr. Christiaan Barnard on December 3, 1967 in Cape Town, South Africa. He had beaten American medicine in race to perform the first successful heart transplant. Although we could now do transplants, the real concern was patient survival. All of the transplant patients on this cover photo died within 6 months from their bodies rejecting the new organ. About three years ago my oldest son directly benefited from the race for the heart. He was the recipient of a donors heart and liver. This was the first successful heart and liver dual transplant performed at the U of U SLC hospital. Within three weeks of the transplant he was home and on his way of realizing his dream of seeing his young sons graduate from high school.
So what has this got to do with covid?
Covid is a disease like heart disease. Because of science we have made great strides in medicine and other fields. Science to be successful requires replicated research, it requires time and patience. Shortcuts have no place in science because the personal and societal consequences could be catastrophic. Public surveys suggest strong public support for science because of the benefits to our lives. However, it seems with COVID-19 the public trust in both science and particularly scientists has waned. Much of this I suspect is due to the uncertainty about the disease, its potential for economic and social impacts, and political rhetoric. As with other diseases that affect human kind, the answers and cures will not be found in the political arena, but by hard working scientists who have an unconditional commitment to service.
Voltaire a 17th century French philosopher one wrote. “Those who can make you believe in absurdities came make you commit atrocities.” Based on my life threatening experience, science wins over political expediency anytime.
