During a crisis, it’s sometimes hard to pause. There is a natural predisposition to act—to want to help, to jump in and do everything one can. But it’s important to remember that we may end up doing more harm than good if we act too quickly, without first pausing to consider the objective rigor of the data underpinning decision-making as well as the broader impact of the decisions we make. In early 2020, media reports indicated that an antiviral drug produced by Johnson & Johnson that was used to treat people with HIV might be effective against COVID-19. Orders for the medicine…
