Another thread on transparency. Consider this an appeal for nuance, or at least a clear operating definition of transparency that goes beyond demands for absolute disclosure at all times. If you disagree, let's discuss. I won't respond to schmucks. #COVID19 #COVIDCanada

Transparency is consistently under-defined. This is a problem b/c it leads to competing interpretations of what it means and how it should be evaluated. Lack of clarity about what transparency is and how we know if it’s being fulfilled clouds our judgement. #COVID19 #COVIDCanada

Why is it a problem? Lacking definitional clarity, interpretations become fluid, measurement norms poorly defined, assessments can be subjective. We are seeing this play out in unhelpful and counterproductive ways now in the debate about federal models. #COVID19 #COVIDCanada

I’ve studied how govts respond to outbreaks of health crisis - transparency concerns always come up. Why? Because when public is at risk, and when there's a lot we don’t know, communication of clear guidance is most essential tool we have for managing risk. #COVID19 #COVIDCanada

Also, when it comes to communication of risk (as opposed to epidemiology, virology, respiratory med, or the myriad other medical subspecialties we are learning about now) everyone’s an expert – OK, on Twitter some people are now experts on all these things. #COVID19 #COVIDCanada

Beyond helping reduce incidents of disease, transparent communication addresses strategic, political, economic and psychosocial priorities in a health emergency. This is fundamental to building and maintaining trust beyond the arena of the current crisis. #COVID19 #COVIDCanada

So what does a more complex definition of transparency involve? If we consult peer-reviewed and grey literature, policy frameworks and risk communication playbooks, I suggest we guide our thinking using these 5 important questions (there may well be others) #COVID19 #COVIDCanada

1/ Is there evidence officials were reluctant to announce a potential threat and did not inform at-risk populations of measures they should be taking to protect themselves? #COVID19 #COVIDCanada

2/ Is there evidence government officials or other key actors in the political arena withheld info from the public in order to protect a particular sector of the economy against the recommendations of public health experts? #COVID19 #COVIDCanada

3/ Is there evidence officials have not provided regular updates abt actions being taken to protect the public? Are they failing to respond to legitimate questions – from citizens, political leaders, business, media - about other possible courses of action? #COVID19 #COVIDCanada

4/ If officials are withholding info from the public (as they are doing now w/ nat'l models) are they providing *clear rationale* for why they’re doing so? Transparency demands articulation of reasoning paths to decisions, not just total disclosure of info. #COVID19 #COVIDCanada

5/ If officials are withholding important info, is there evidence this decision is not being made in the interest of protecting the public from harm? Or in other words, does failure to release info place the public at greater risk of harm than they are now? #COVID19 #COVIDCanada