SIX LESSONS
from history we ignored in 2020
Ancient scientists were often wrong. So are modern ones, but the ancients got a few critical things right.
Greek philosopher Thales taught that the Earth was suspended on water.
Aristarchus however believed the Earth orbited the Sun – and he was dismissed by his contemporaries. One was wrong. How can we learn the truth?
Here are six lessons from the ancients that could have stopped the illogical manner in which our leaders (and we ourselves) dealt with COVID. This is a lesson for our future.
1. Start with observations, not fear.
Major decisions in 2020 were made with NO EVIDENCE. Science, medicine, and politics were operating blindly. We were told we had to stay home to “slow the spread” but there was no evidence from history that the spread of viruses could be slowed. It didn’t work with the Spanish flu in 1917 (yes, they tried it). It hadn’t, in fact, worked any time it had been tried since 1917 (there were several). Thus, there was no evidence for its efficacy. They did it anyway and it failed to work with COVID, too. Duh!
We were told to wear masks and use special hand cleansers. As it turned out we already knew that neither was necessary for most folk. We already knew that washing our hands thoroughly with ordinary soap and water was nearly as effective as alcohol or other hand cleansers.
We knew that viruses could easily pass through cloth masks, rendering them ineffective. They insisted we wear masks, even cloth masks (even bandanas) which didn’t even cover our noses. What? Will viruses avoid us if they can’t see our faces?
2. Thinking critically is important.
The ancients insisted their hearers think critically.
As it turned out the biggest sources of misinformation (and even disinformation) came from government and medical science in 2020. Further, those groups were not misinformed, they were running scared and were implementing powerful laws and regulations to prevent other voices from being heard.
Meanwhile, those who were thinkers were finding holes in the “commonly held” beliefs. Yet they were prevented from sharing their evidence on social platforms. As an example they suggested that certain medications might be useful in reducing or preventing serious infections. Turns out they weren’t wrong. We should be allowed to think about whether the information being given us is consistent with the evidence of our own senses and reason.
3. Acknowledge what you don’t know, and what you already know.
Another skill ancient scientists encouraged was admitting your limits. The philosopher Lucretius gave three different explanations for solar eclipses and claimed that without more evidence he did not know which was truth. However that is not how information was presented in 2020.
The ancients realized that people who claim to have a definitive answer can be persuasive. I, however, feel more trusting when I listen to those who acknowledge their limits.
4. Science is part of culture, not just the realm of scientists.
Proper preparation is part of dealing effectively with a new disease. How does one prepare? In Michigan there was a law that required the governor to have a medical stockpile in case of a disaster. The governor used most of the stockpile for one disaster, but three years later still hadn’t re-supplied it. Then COVID hit. No one was ever criminally charged for failing to stockpile masks, gloves, IV tubing, etc. One of our daughters was a nurse in Michigan and had to wear the same masks and gloves until they fell apart. There weren’t enough alcohol wipes to clean wounds. There wasn’t enough medical product available for those needing critical care … infections abounded in the hospital and people died as a result.
A second funny rule was created which literally made zero sense and still doesn’t. We were told to not go out to a vacant field to exercise or to go boating. In fact, in Michigan the rule was so confusing that even the governor’s husband attempted to get their lake boat out of dry dock.
Ancient thinkers believed that science was part of culture. They thought that both individual and societal beliefs and values can have an impact on knowledge.
5. Science is not the sole source of truth.
Reason, logic, spiritual and human values should inform truth. When the government told us to abandon corporate worship, not just restrict worship for the most at risk, it sent up all kinds of red flags. How is it that we all can grocery shop and go to the pharmacy, but can’t worship? That was illogical. It also was wrong. My wife got COVID at the pharmacy.
When she tested positive she was placed on a list and had to report who she had seen and when. Then she got a letter from the local health department which didn’t give her helpful advice (when to go to the Emergency Room or which over-the-counter medicines should be most helpful). Instead it was a threatening letter (“If you are caught in public you could be arrested and/or fined.”) Then they called her daily (usually when she was sleeping) to keep track of her symptoms (and whether she had left our apartment). As a result, I realized there was no value in the testing. Either you got it or not; either you died or not. I had discovered some personal wisdom: “When you are sick there’s no value in telling the government. They aren’t there to help you.”
These hard-won lessons about truth helped build the foundations of modern scientific knowledge – and they can still help us navigate a world where truth is just as slippery as it was thousands of years ago.
6. People will lie about anything.
It is simple and easy to forget, but lies are everywhere. Recently I loaded an app which several people told me works great and “doesn’t require you to use the Cloud.” Immediately upon loading the program a pop-up window showed that I had completed “step one.” Step two was setting up my cloud account. It wasn’t presented as an option. No, it was a baldfaced lie by the business selling the app. It wasn’t the only lie either. They wanted my money and they were willing to lie to get it.
COVID was ideal for lies. Little was known and people were very sick and dying. Chinese companies were selling “hand-cleansers” which were merely soap and water. The government was claiming that people should stop working in order to slow the spread. They knew it wouldn’t work (see above).
Why lie?
-Money
-Power
-Embarrassment
-Politics
So, healthy skepticism (called “disinformation” by our government that year) is essential. YOU ARE THE FRONT LINE IN DEFENDING YOURSELF AGAINST LIES. Don’t trust this to an agency, a political party, media, or science. It is your prime responsibility and obligation. If you fail, it could mean your life, or freedom. Learn the lesson and survive. Look for evidence instead.
Copyright 2026 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
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Re: #5. In 2020 there was a church on the west coast that continued to “meet” as a grocery supplier. Attendees would walk slowly with carts past produce while singing, praying, and listening to the pastor’s message. There was nothing government could do about it. It was a “store.” They had 3 “shopping sessions” per week.
People had to be creative I guess… 🙂