Ignoring Facts Will Not Change Reality
The Trump administration’s relentless assault on science and public health continues to escalate, and the consequences for Americans and the entire world will be catastrophic.
Two recent actions demonstrate just how dangerous and short-sighted their actions are.
NASA has been ordered by the White House to destroy two major satellites that monitor climate change activity. According to NPR, these satellites are the only two federally-used satellites that provide information to monitor planet-warming greenhouse gasses.
Second, The Department of Health and Human Services is “winding down” its mRNA vaccine development and will instead fund other vaccine platforms through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), according to CNN.
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said that “no new mRNA-based projects will be initiated,” and BARDA would terminate 22 mRNA vaccine development investments, suggesting the vaccines “fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like Covid and flu.”
An American Medical Association comparative effectiveness study found that COVID-19 vaccinations, which were mostly mRNA vaccines, averted up to 2.5 million deaths and saved up to 14.8 million life-years from December 2020 to October 2024.
The loss of critical climate data and mRNA vaccine research will cause great damage to public health. With the ongoing threat of emerging novel viruses such as bird flu, the loss of our ability to quickly develop safe and effective vaccines when needed will result in the loss of tens of millions of lives worldwide.
Simply refusing to collect the information on climate change and refusing to recognize the great value of mRNA vaccines will not change reality.
Rich DiPentima
Portsmouth, NH