Invoice Nye, the longtime advocate for science literacy and public well being, says he minimize off communication with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after receiving a barrage of unsolicited texts selling debunked claims about vaccines and autism.
In a Males’s Well being interview, Nye recounted how Kennedy, now main the Division of Well being and Human Companies, despatched him lengthy, unprompted messages stuffed with articles speculating on vaccine security and autism hyperlinks.
“Simply no self-awareness,” Nye stated, holding up display after display of the textual content chain as proof.
Their correspondence started by a mutual pal, actor Ed Begley Jr., again when Kennedy was nonetheless identified primarily for his environmental advocacy. Nye initially responded with skepticism however courtesy, saying he had learn Kennedy’s ebook and stating the logical error of complicated correlation with causation.
When Kennedy continued to press the problem, Nye requested him to cease texting. Kennedy didn’t. “So I minimize him off. He doesn’t have common sense. He’s not fitted to this job,” Nye advised the outlet.
Now practically 70, Nye stays outspoken in regards to the significance of vaccines, citing current measles outbreaks as a direct consequence of falling immunization charges. He emphasised that vaccine mandates aren’t about infringing on particular person rights however defending public well being.
Nye warned that authorities management, together with Kennedy, is undermining science by selling misinformation and defunding vital analysis.
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