The danger of mob rule in epidemiology

A Governor of one USA State (a Democrat) is joyfully  proud of his harsh and unscientific requirements for medical workers who treated Ebola patients and came home.   His reasoning for such an  enjoyment - his requirements are popular (see the figure below) between scared crowds. Really? Government decisions are not girls in a high school popularity contests. Our leaders have to have decency to make sound unpopular decisions, be it Ebola, be it climate change, be it fighting crime, or other things that are essential to all of us. Do not make popular decisions. Make right decisions. Voters are not stupid. Voters see the difference.

(Bedside Manners, By BRIAN McFADDEN, New York Times)