Martin Kulldorff

The Atlantic's writers function memetically only about 1 month ahead of mainstream opinion, mostly maintaining the fear narrative (see @zeynep ) but reversing position to maintain credibility when their opinions are untenable. It's fascinating -and gives great media penetration.

And it especially targets elite opinion. This enables aggregation of accolades for mediocre opinion like Ed Wong. This keeps them in the driver's seat from a policy recommendation position. John and Jane Q. Public do not read the Atlantic.

At least partially false narrative. State 'stance' was not allowed to override local restrictions, mandates which were necessary to drive infections down. Smart politically but not 'no restrictions utopia'.

Their conversion to the lockdown cult must not be forgotten or forgiven no matter how much they try to walk it back. That goes for DeSantis as well, who (lest we forget) locked down his state for weeks before changing his mind. Noem made the right decision the first time.

Why this elevation of DeSantis? I find it quite suspicious. Is it a ploy to exonerate themselves for stabbing us in the back the first time, which elevating Noem would draw unwanted attention to?