There’s a thing that I would have put a high probability on prior to VaccinateCA, that VaccinateCA increased my credence on, which is that relative to credentialed talent in institutions, like — throw a dart at the dartboard about it. Let’s say county health departments, for example. They are fully educated in their field. They are credentialed. There’s a democratic process that ultimately backstops the county health department.

Jay Rando, person on the internet: “Can’t we be better at important facets of pandemic preparedness given, hmm, two to six weeks versus a county health department that is prepared for exactly this problem for their entire professional career?” Yes. Straightforwardly, yes.

Tyler Cowen, Patrick McKenzie on Navigating Complex Systems (Ep. 201), Conversations with Tyler, January 10, 2024