Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who President-elect Donald J. Trump has suggested would have a “big role” in his second administration, wasted no time laying out potential public health measures he would oversee if given the chance.
Mr. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer who has no medical or public health degrees and has promoted anti-vaccine conspiracies for years, told NBC News on Wednesday that he would not “take away anybody’s vaccines,” but that he wanted Americans to be informed with the “best information” available so they “can make individual assessments about whether that product is going to be good for them.”
“People ought to have choice,” he said, adding that he has “never been anti-vaccine.”
Mr. Kennedy has been a prominent critic of the childhood vaccination schedule and has frequently linked some vaccines to autism and other health issues. Studies have long shown no such connection.
On the topic of adding fluoride to drinking water, which helps to protect teeth, Mr. Kennedy said the mineral was “lowering I.Q. in our children,” despite decades’ worth of studies that show its efficacy and safety. “I think fluoride is on its way out,” he said. “I think the faster that it goes out, the better. I’m not going to compel anybody to take it out, but I’m going to advise the water districts about their legal liability.”
The treatment of public water with small amounts of fluoride has been widely hailed as one of the most important public health interventions of the past century; the American Dental Association has said that it reduces dental decay by at least 25 percent.
Mr. Kennedy also said that if he were given a position in Mr. Trump’s administration, he would focus on eliminating corruption at public health agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some departments, including those focused on nutrition, “have to go,” he told NBC. “They’re not protecting our kids.”
“Once Americans are getting good science and allowed to make their own choices, they’re going to get a lot healthier,” he added. As president, Mr. Trump would have only limited authority to make some of these changes, and some would need congressional approval. But on the campaign trail, Mr. Trump said he would let Mr. Kennedy “go wild on health.”
“I want to be in the White House, and he has assured me that I’m going to have that,” Mr. Kennedy said this week.
Environmental lawyer in charge of health.
Maybe we can get a medical doctor in charge of the environment.
And a school teacher in charge of the military.
America played SHITHEAD bingo and marked every fucking spot. I fucking hate every person who voted for these fuckbags.
Both? I live in Texas we played blackout fuckitup bingo and marked every fucking spot. Ted goddamn Cruz is back… and everyone hates that fuck head.
As a scientist who works with all kinds of things humans ingest, I am very scared of this man and the deregulations he’ll bring. But you know, fuck science and education, cuz ‘Merica.
Side note, how do we reach people who reject science? I always thought education was the path forward, but they seem to be attacking that route too. Are we doomed to live in a world of conspiracy theories and misinformation?
Edit: The ACS is offering a course on “How to Navigate Trust in Science Conversations” I guess I’ll start here. It’s not the quick answer I’m looking for, but I guess it’s a start. I think it’s free for non-ACS members if anyone is interested.
You don’t reach these people because they truly believe that their ignorance is just as valid as your scientific education, experience and background.
If you ban books, defund public schools and make university/collage fees so insanely expensive, then you are asking for trouble.
I am curious if this is going to be in favor of big pharma. I mean he’s a anti vaccine dude. So, no vaccines means more sickness, and perhaps is more profitable to be on regular meds than just a cocktail you get ones for life…
https://www.axios.com/2024/08/26/rfk-jr-whale-chainsaw-investigation
“Every time we accelerated on the highway, whale juice would pour into the windows of the car, and it was the rankest thing on the planet,” Kick said in the interview.
“We all had plastic bags over our heads with mouth holes cut out, and people on the highway were giving us the finger, but that was just normal day-to-day stuff for us.”
Remember when The Jungle by Upton Sinclair was enough that America collectively vomited and started requiring health codes? And now we have this man?
There are indications that things like abortion bans will affect the number of present and futures doctors/specialists in particular in places like Texas. Perhaps if doctors and dentists come to the table in large #'s with meaningful pushback the damage can be mitigated.
I sincerely hope RFK’s promised position proves to be largely ceremonial, because his proposals could really impact nation-wide quality of life. Especially for kids who have no choice or voice.
