Scientific integrity tested by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Area of Science:

• Medical Journalism
• Public Health Policy
• Political Science

Background:

• In October 2020, leading medical journals The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), and Nature published critical editorials.
• These editorials addressed the United States' response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The journals expressed significant disappointment and anger towards the political leadership's actions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the unprecedented political stance taken by major medical journals regarding the US Covid-19 response.
• To highlight the journals' concerns about the disregard for scientific evidence and public health institutions.

Main Methods:

• Content analysis of editorials published in The Lancet, NEJM, and Nature in October 2020.
• Review of historical editorial practices of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Main Results:

• The Lancet and Nature have a history of political commentary, but the NEJM's partisan editorial was a historic first.
• Editorials condemned political interference in science, undermining of public services, and disregard for scientific evidence.
• Nature explicitly endorsed a political candidate, a highly unusual step.

Conclusions:

• The unprecedented editorials signify a critical juncture where scientific and medical communities felt compelled to address political leadership failures.
• These actions underscore the profound impact of political decisions on public health and scientific integrity during a global crisis.