Public officials in the United States, and specifically in my home state of Florida, have long been at odds with public health professionals on executing a robust response to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Over the course of this year, their inaction has catalyzed widespread loss throughout our communities. In my case, as for many others, the impact hits close to home.

I Know Science has been a natural part of my day-to-day thoughts for nearly a decade. It is the name of my mother’s business and, ironically, it also suggests the underlying failure that forced its demise. My mother…