> There would have been so much less confusion if they were consistent with their communication from the start
I think it's worth considering a different framing:
> "There would have been so much less confusion if COVID variants and transmission/hospitalization/death rates remained consistent from the start"
It's easy to call out the communication, and don't get me wrong, it surely could have been better. But I often see this sentiment without acknowledging that the communication problems are a symptom, and driven by a very unpredictable situation, and very appropriate changes in policy based on that evolving situation.
I think it's worth considering a different framing:
> "There would have been so much less confusion if COVID variants and transmission/hospitalization/death rates remained consistent from the start"
It's easy to call out the communication, and don't get me wrong, it surely could have been better. But I often see this sentiment without acknowledging that the communication problems are a symptom, and driven by a very unpredictable situation, and very appropriate changes in policy based on that evolving situation.