The question of education and science: common sense, ecological fallacy and the sophism of chloroquine in COVID-19

Various narratives in the media and social media have associated the alleged use of (hydroxy)chloroquine with lower lethality in certain municipalities compared to others. This essay aimed to demonstrate through logic and epidemiology the veracity or falsificability of this statement. Considering logic, epidemiologic, and ecological studies, the ecological fallacy of the supposed relationship between use of a drug and the lower lethality (indicative of higher proportion cured) of COVID-19 has been demonstrated. It can be concluded that comparing crude lethality rates between different municipalities without using scientific methods constitutes common sense and a disservice to health promotion and prevention of COVID-19.

WHY DID WE RESPOND BADLY TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC? NECESSARY CHANGES IN HEALTH TEACHING KNOWLEDGE

Considering that the training of academics of health sciences has been fragmented and incomplete, contributing to an innocuousness and ineffectiveness in understanding, preparing and taking action in the face of epidemics and other collective diseases, this essay aimed to demonstrate the need to improve the knowledge of health professionals in content and skills related to public health. In addition to simple diagnosis, several disciplines are proposed to be incorporated into the curricula of higher health courses, which can certainly bring about a substantial improvement in the skills and abilities of future professionals, as well as in teaching knowledge for the challenges of emerging and re-emerging diseases.