Honestly, I’m not surprised. Trust in public health didn’t just drop off a cliff — it’s been slowly corroding since the early pandemic days.
What’s wild is how even reasonable people I know now hesitate to believe CDC or FDA statements. It’s not always about facts — it’s about whether people feel heard or dismissed. And I’m not sure those institutions ever really adapted to that emotional layer.
I don’t have the answers, but I know rebuilding trust won’t come from “rebranding” or “better messaging.” It has to feel real, even if it’s messy.
What’s wild is how even reasonable people I know now hesitate to believe CDC or FDA statements. It’s not always about facts — it’s about whether people feel heard or dismissed. And I’m not sure those institutions ever really adapted to that emotional layer.
I don’t have the answers, but I know rebuilding trust won’t come from “rebranding” or “better messaging.” It has to feel real, even if it’s messy.