What happens when cases go up?

"Policy makers need to be honest and tell the public what the goal is. Scientists need to run RCTs to see what interventions further that goal. Politicians need to realize they are painted themselves into this corner, and sadly many are in a bad situation. I am afraid the next time cases rise, we will simply tear each other apart, and have no plan at all."

What about the media? They buried the lede. The media with its clickbait "breaking news", hyperbole, and lack of basic understanding of basic data analysis.

You can't ignore The Fourth Estate's role.