There are several answers to this question. One was overheard the other day among a bunch of well educated people oriented towards science who were taking a break from their job.
Person 1: "So, how effective is the seasonal flu shot?"
Person 2: "I heard about 1%. If you get the flu shot, you'll have a 1% difference in if you get the flu."
Person 3: "That's crazy. I don't know where you are getting your data from. It can't be 1%, but I admit I don't know what the actual answer is, but it can't be that."
Persons 4 through 6: "Well, if YOU don't know, and HE says 1%, I'm going with the 1%. Too much trouble to get a flu shot anyway."
Person 3: "Wait, wait! That's crazy! That makes no sense!" as persons 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 are filing out of the break room to go back to work. "You can't leave thinking that 1% is correct! It can't be correct!!!"
Person 5: [Over her shoulder on the way out the door.] "Hey, why don't you go ask your husband. He's a Scienceblogger, right?"
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Person 1: "So, how effective is the seasonal flu shot?"
Person 2: "I heard about 1%. If you get the flu shot, you'll have a 1% difference in if you get the flu."
Person 3: "That's crazy. I don't know where you are getting your data from. It can't be 1%, but I admit I don't know what the actual answer is, but it can't be that."
Persons 4 through 6: "Well, if YOU don't know, and HE says 1%, I'm going with the 1%. Too much trouble to get a flu shot anyway."
Person 3: "Wait, wait! That's crazy! That makes no sense!" as persons 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 are filing out of the break room to go back to work. "You can't leave thinking that 1% is correct! It can't be correct!!!"
Person 5: [Over her shoulder on the way out the door.] "Hey, why don't you go ask your husband. He's a Scienceblogger, right?"
Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post...