Summary
COVID-19 deepened political divides around vaccines, with skepticism increasingly concentrated among Republicans. Experts trace this to early pandemic messaging from Trump downplaying the virus.
One in four Republican parents now skip or delay childhood vaccines, fueling measles outbreaks.
Public health officials warn vaccine misinformation has gained ground, exacerbated by political figures like RFK Jr., now health secretary, who promotes controversial views.
Budget cuts threaten vaccine research. Experts urge better messaging and nonjudgmental engagement to rebuild trust, fearing current polarization will hamper response to future pandemics like potential bird flu threats.
COVID did no such thing. People did. The same people who continue to destabilize the world, people who are actively destroying democracy, people who are hell bent on acquiring as much personal wealth as possible.