Respect for Vestal
I have a great deal of respect for Shawn Vestal as a journalist. His admission that he allowed his belief system to override his journalistic skepticism in writing the article on research into the COVID results from the Sturgis rally did nothing to diminish that respect (“Sturgis research called for greater skepticism,” Sept. 16).
We’ve seen instance after instance in recent months and years of some “journalists” promulgating disinformation, only to double down on the b.s. after being called out on it. Shawn’s retraction and apology in today’s Spokesman-Review are paradigmatic examples of how good journalism is done. He was wrong, he admitted it and told us why he was wrong, and he apologized for allowing his critical thinking to be waylaid.
Thanks to Mr. Vestal and to the S-R publishers for his column.
Jessie Norris
Spokane