Expert's Corner: Toddler Tantrums!

"Expert's Corner" is a popular column in Knudsen's News that features a revolving door of experts in a variety of fields answering the big questions on the minds of our readers. A favorite among Belvidere residents as well as people from around the world, but mostly Singapore for some reason, it offers practical, empathetic, and easy to understand guidance on a wide variety of topics, making it a valued resource in the community.

Vinay Prasad, shown here smiling with his mouth while his eyes betray a sadness, as if the momentum of his ego's trajectory has carried him far past the point from which he could ever hope to return to the life he saw for himself those many years ago as an idealistic young medical student in Chicago, dreaming of helping people and making a positive impact on the world

Today's expert is Dr. Vinay Prasad, an American physician, healthcare researcher, and poet with expertise in all areas of medicine, as well as all aspects of life in general, and who was a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco before leaving to briefly serve as director of the Center of Biologics Evaluation and Research under Donald Trump. He is known for forever changing the way that we always thought about the practice of medicine and the true underlying nature of health as a core component of the human condition. Also for his love and deep understanding of children.

Dear Expert's Corner,

My child cries every time we try to take him with us to a restaurant. It's embarrassing and recently we were even asked to leave by the manager of a Cracker Barrel. I'm sick of eating my fried catfish and hush puppies in the car. Help!

Losing it in Lafayette

Dear Losing it,

Children crying in public are a societal problem with the potential for negative consequences for parents, the involved children, other diners, and the economy as a whole. Hey, we've all been there! Well, not me, because I don't want, have, or even work with kids. But I have assessed the medical literature and concluded that there are no randomized and controlled trials on this issue.

I hope this helps.

Vinay Prasad, MD