Extreme public health advice

Don't eat produce!

There is currently a food borne diarrhea outbreak of cyclosporiasis. Accurate estimates are unknown but perhaps thousands or tens of thousands have been affected. Given our country is nearly 400 million, that's about 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100,000. Here is what one “expert” suggests we do:

Wow. Not: wash your veggies and fruit well. Not: buy whole lettuce and toss the outer layers and wash the rest well. Not: don't buy bagged salad. But: don't eat fresh fruits and veggies at all!

Something has happened inside public health and ID. It is no longer possible to have sensible, proportionate responses. It's just extremes. Stop eating fruit!!! Stop breathing!! Don't leave the house!!

The expert hasn't considered the downsides of this course of action. If a million people stop eating fresh produce for a week, some of them may continue to reduce their produce intake in the weeks and months to come. The impact of that on cardiovascular disease and diet far outweighs any theoretical risk of infection. The infectious disease doctor's advice is likely net harmful for America.

There is a lesson here: experts and the media have no credibility. Their advice doesn't pass the common sense test.

Side note: rainier cherries are so good this season, I will take any risks.