California's response to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic was once praised around the world.<br />Now, Science Magazine reports the same officials who were once hailed as enlightened are now receiving criticism.<br />Some of the sharpest is coming from scientists seeking to help guide the state’s fight against the virus.<br />Since April, epidemiologists from Stanford University and multiple California campuses have sought data from state and county health authorities.<br />But the agencies have refused requests filed from April through late June, citing multiple reasons including heavy workloads and privacy concerns.<br />Epidemiologists are especially aggrieved after it was revealed states are feeding the same data they desire to a federal contractor, Palantir Technologies.<br />Palantir Technologies has drawn criticism for data work supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations.
