The amazing tale of Florida's self-described COVID-19 data analyst

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The amazing tale of Florida's self-described COVID-19 data analyst
Given what's become of the GOP and its post-policy posture, Ron DeSantis' new data analyst is proud of his lack of credentials and expertise.
Nov. 12, 2020, 10:43 AM EST
By Steve Benen

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With this in mind, perhaps it's not too surprising that when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R) administration decided to hire a new data analyst, the governor's team chose "a little-known Ohio sports blogger and Uber driver whose only relevant experience is spreading harmful conspiracy theories about COVID-19 on the Internet." The Miami Herald had this stunning report:

In his own words, Kyle Lamb of Columbus, Ohio, has few qualifications for the job at the state's Office of Policy and Budget, which pays $40,000 per year. "Fact is, I'm not an 'expert.' I'm not a doctor, epidemiologist, virologist or scientist," Lamb wrote on a website for a subscribers-only podcast he hosts about the coronavirus. "I also don't need to be. Experts don't have all the answers, and we've learned that the hard way."

Is this really what we've "learned"? That confused amateurs have the right answers about epidemiology?

The Herald went on to report that Lamb has peddled a series of discredited claims about the pandemic, but he's nevertheless comfortable joining DeSantis' team -- working on, among other things, coronavirus data.

Under normal circumstances, we might expect someone in Lamb's position to insist he has the necessary credentials to take on such a role. But in 2020, given what's become of the Republican Party and its post-policy posture, Lamb seems to take a degree of pride in the fact that he lacks credentials -- as if this were a good thing.

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https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/amazing-tale-florida-s-self-described-covid-19-data-analyst-n1247546