A key lesson from the January 2014 chemical spill and water crisis was that not explaining unknowns to the public backfires.

Sometimes officials think not explaining what they don't know - and just offering reassurances that there's no reason to be scared - will help the public.

Other times public officials (especially elected ones) think that admitting they don't know something makes them seem weak or incompetent.

As a reporter, the public officials I trust the most are ones that often say "I don't know" - at least when that's the honest answer.

When information is preliminary or th situation is developing and changing rapidly, this seems even more important. At least to me.

My favorite example is the chemical plant that has a leak and won't say what leaked or how much - or anything, except that "there was never any threat to the public," as if there was a bubble over that plant.

Or not testing the water from our actual taps and insisting everything was just fine ... even though nobody knew much about the chemical.

Anyway, West Virginians are smart and we can get through this together.

Stay home. Wash your hands.