The federal government is attempting to take a back seat, and rather than have some top-down leadership,

they're very much leaving things to local officials and state officials to make decisions.

It's all about communication.

From WNYC in New York, this is On the Media.

I'm Bob Garfield.

In a health crisis, we need to listen to scientists, not politicians, but scientists have a unique

problem.

They deal in uncertainties.

You told us one thing before, now you're telling us something different.

I'm just going to stop listening to you all together, because I don't think you know what

you're talking about, or I think you're lying to me.

That confusion is fueling a viral conspiracy theory video that claims Dr. Fauci orchestrated

an nefarious pandemic plot.

He directed the cover-up, and in fact, everybody else was paid off.

It's all coming up after this.

From WNYC in New York, this is on the media. Brooke Gladstone is out this week. I'm Bob Garfield.

In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen all manner of messaging from political leaders,

perhaps none so telling as the declaration this week from British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

You've put up with all the hardships of that program of social distancing,

because you understand that it's the only way to defeat the coronavirus,

the most vicious threat this country has faced in my lifetime.

Well done, you lot.

...