Clear communication from leadership is never more important than during times of uncertainty. But from the very beginning of the coronavirus crisis, our politicians have systematically failed in this realm — and now, it’s coming to a breaking point.

Agencies that should be reliable sources of information such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent people mixed messages on key issues such as the effectiveness of masks and other protective wear. Too, our political leaders have profoundly failed when it comes to the lack of coronavirus testing capacity, not to mention the general confusion over how and when to obtain a test. Meanwhile, medical matters aren’t looking much clearer, with ongoing confusion over antibodies and herd immunity.