2024-11-11 13:00:00
The election of Donald Trump sounded like a bolt from the blue. His style, his sometimes brutal positions, his sometimes gritty escapades shake Western democracies who see it as a perhaps historic turning point in the United States. Unlike in 2016, Donald Trump is heading to the White House surrounded by a team chosen and handpicked like his running mate JD Vance, the sulphurous Elon Musk or even the nephew of ex-President Kennedy , Robert Kennedy Junior.
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His appointment as head of the US Department of Health would sound like an earthquake for the medical community and more broadly for the scientific community as a whole. Because John Fitzgerald Kennedy is not the one who wants it.
The latter would turn in his grave if he listened to the nonsense of his nephew who is a fan of fake news, fake medicine and anti-vax remarks. He thus maintains that there is a link between the MMR vaccine – measles, rubella, mumps – and the occurrence of autism. But it was the Sars-CoV-2 epidemic that gave him his greatest exposure, putting forward far-fetched theories such as the presence of electronic chips in vaccines against Covd-19 in order to take control of the population.
The executive at the service of conspiracy theorists
The list of conspiratorial remarks about vaccines and antidepressant medications that are said to be responsible for mass killings is so long that it would take several columns to list them. However, Robert Kennedy Jr will have powerful levers as Secretary of State for Health from where he will direct the Centers for Disease Control (disease control centers) but also la Food and Drug Administration in charge of food and medication control, and the National Institutes of Health which are the national health institutes.
We can now fear that in the country of Uncle Sam, which is one of the world leaders in scientific research, the confrontation will be brutal between the defenders of medicine based on science and the executive, now in the service of the cause of the conspiracists.
And we can count on Elon Musk and his social network X – formerly Twitter – and its 204 million subscribers to massively disseminate this false information all around the planet. However, we must clean our own door, the breach being opened here in France with our Minister of Research Patrick Hetzel.
In the same register, the latter had taken positions for hydroxychloroquine dear to Professor Didier Raoult, but also against vaccines against Covid-19. He finally opposed the law against sectarian aberrations, which is quite embarrassing for the person who is now in charge of the Ministry of Research.
To Discover
Answer
We have entered a new era of mingling on social media fake news and news, further fracturing a society that no longer knows where to stand. If the American vote seems to have its roots in protest, it is also a vote of distrust against the traditional media accused of being at the behest of a ruling elite. However, they are the guarantors of rigorous medical information based on scientific proof, this is one of the cardinal values of Point.
Will the traditional media be powerful enough to hold back the attacks of conspiracy theorists, obscurantists and even conspiracy theorists on social networks? This is the question and the challenge of the coming years.
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#Trump #victory #obscurantism #camp #science
**Interview with Dr. Emily Carter, Public Health Expert**
**Editor:** Today we are discussing the potential implications of Robert Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as Secretary of Health under a Trump administration. Joining us is Dr. Emily Carter, a public health expert and researcher. Thank you for being here, Dr. Carter.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me.
**Editor:** The recent election results have taken many by surprise, especially with Donald Trump returning to the White House and surrounding himself with a controversial team. What do you think Robert Kennedy Jr.’s leadership could mean for public health policy in the U.S.?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s concerning, to say the least. Kennedy has a long history of promoting misinformation about vaccines and health care. His views could severely impact public health initiatives and trust in science. There’s a real risk that he could undermine vital public health messaging at a time when credible information is crucial, especially as we continue to face challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
**Editor:** We’ve seen Kennedy articulate theories that link vaccines to autism and promote conspiracy theories around COVID-19 vaccines. What challenges do you foresee for public health officials in this new political landscape?
**Dr. Carter:** With someone like Kennedy in such a powerful position, public health officials may find it increasingly difficult to combat misinformation. Credible research and scientific recommendations could be overshadowed by his influence, thereby threatening the integrity of organizations like the CDC and FDA. This may lead to public confusion and disengagement from science-based health practices.
**Editor:** Given Kennedy’s position, what strategies should public health advocates adopt to counteract misinformation and protect scientific integrity?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s important for public health advocates to reinforce their communication strategies. They need to engage with communities, utilize trusted voices, and leverage social media to disseminate factual information. Transparency and clarity will be pivotal. Additionally, forming coalitions with other health organizations can create a unified front against misinformation.
**Editor:** what do you believe is the long-term impact of this election on scientific research and public health in the United States?
**Dr. Carter:** If Kennedy promotes his agenda, we may see a significant shift away from evidence-based practices. The repercussions could be detrimental, leading to reduced funding for essential health programs and fostering a climate of skepticism towards scientific research. The U.S., which has historically been a leader in scientific advancement, could experience a regression in public health standards.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insights. It’s clear that the coming years may pose significant challenges for the public health community.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these crucial issues.
