INTERVIEW: COVID-19 Data Scientist and Whistleblower Rebekah Jones is a Profile in Courage

*This article was first published on January 26, 2021 for Ms. Magazine.

COVID-19 Data Scientist and Whistleblower Rebekah Jones Is a Profile in Courage

Read online: https://msmagazine.com/2021/01/26/covid-19-data-scientist-whistleblower-rebekah-jones/

In May 2020, when it came time to present data on reopening, Rebekah Jones — a Florida-based scientist who studies disaster research and communications — was ultimately fired for refusing to manipulate the numbers.

Courage cannot be taken for granted in these strange times — but in these uncharted waters of COVID and constant crises, the courage of whistleblowers is particularly unique. Whistleblowers find themselves at the dicey intersection of truth and power. Millions of lives are at stake, and they can face fiery blowback for their allegiance to the truth. American geographer and data scientist Rebekah Jones is one such story — a profile in courage in a…