This is extremely upsetting and it is possible in part because of the mainstream merchants of doubt who undermined science and scientists during the pandemic.

April 11, 2026 - 10:49 UTC

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I remember early on a scientist saying, “we used to let 50k people die of the flu every year, hopefully learning these mitigations will mean our society no longer thinks that’s ok” and not only did it turn out people love it, they wanted more measles, polio and cancer too.
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I do think the public largely underreacts to just how viciously RFK Jr. is gutting science and undermining human health and does not understand how bad things could get if he remains in his position for four full years.
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Most people have no idea. In the rare moments where I explain how absolutely catastrophic this is, I get shrugs and "I'm sure it will all work out fine!".
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i think it's almost 100% your first point. i have a super vaccine-skeptical (work) circle that aren't necessarily anti-science but they lack of credibility from mainstream sources has allowed anti-vax skeptics to weasel their way in.
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