I have noted on more than one occasion that instead of RFK, Jr.’s conspiratorial views on vaccines leading to his rejection, he is infecting the GOP with his nonsense. Since Kennedy appears now as a Trump-appointed member of the team, his newly acquired co-partisans are far more receptive to his nonsense than they ever would have been when he was perceived as belonging to the other team.
And just like diseases often enter the population through those with weaker immune systems, Kennedy’s conspiracy contagion enters the body politic through the weak-minded.
To wit (or, perhaps, the lack thereof), the senior Senator from my state, Tommy “Coach” Tuberville (R-AL).
So, yes, Tuberville has never said anything to make me believe that he isn’t at the bottom of the intelligence ladder in the chamber. As such, one might be inclined to dismiss him. But the reality is, he is one of 100 Senators, and one of 50 needed to confirm Kennedy to HHS (Vance would break any tie). As such he is influential (other co-partisans will listen to him, and some of them will catch the contagion in question) and he has a literal direct power over the outcome.
The more people who listen to this nonsense and believe even part of it leads us down a road of dangerous skepticism over public health policies and specifically the mitigation of disease.
There is a lot to unpack from his statement, but here are a couple of thoughts.
First, there is the assertion that somehow the current approach to vaccinations is “guessing” and not science. But, of course, science is what is guiding all of this. ( But, yes, Senator, let’s “Do facts”).
Second, there is the suggestion that children just get too many vaccinations. I think that this is, in part, counting different doses to amplify the number. But from a propaganda POV, throwing out a number could make many people say, wow, that sounds like a lot! I wonder if it is too many? But, again, the issue is not the number, it is the efficacy and knowable side effects. You know, because of the science of it all.
I also note the number of shot issues, because clearly is it a talking point that sticks in the minds of people like Tuberville, because I have heard it repeated more than once in similar conversations.
Third, the assertion that everyone knows someone who was perfectly healthy and died from the COVID vaccine is a dangerous falsehood. And, of course, that statement alone should underscore that Senator Coach should not be trusted.
We always have misinformation (if not straight-up conspiracy theories) in our politics and society, but we are currently mainlining them into our system via the leadership of the Republican Party. The damage is going to be immense and long-lasting. At a bare minimum, it is damaging to critical thinking and basic knowledge. But if it does lead to changes in public trust in vaccinations, let alone actual changes to public health policy, it will lead to more sick and/or dead people than was necessary.
This all, I would note, a trip down Unreality and Propaganda Lane in a way the sews the seeds of distrust in experts and is something that Uncle Vlad would be most proud to see.
