Conspiracies should never become policy

It was a no-shirt, sweat trickling down my back kind of day as my friends and I ditched our Stingray bikes for the cool backyard grass. As we lay there, we heard a distant rumble as a white streak crossed the sky. I squinted to see and asked, “What is that white streak?”

My older friend lying beside me said, “Those are jet plane exhaust just like a car has.” It wasn’t exactly scientific, but it answered my immediate question and made me want to know more. 

Later in science class, I raised my hand and asked about those streaks. Even though it had nothing to do with the science lesson, Mrs. Husted answered.

She said something like, “Planes fly about 30,000 feet or more above the earth.  It’s freezing up there. Jet engines burn fuel and release water vapor that freezes in the air.  So, the tiny ice crystals create that white streak. They’re called condensation trails. They’re harmless.”

Robert F Kennedy Jr. needs a Mrs. Husted.

Recently Kennedy said he was planning to investigate “chemtrails,” the term used by conspiracy theorists peddling the notion these trails contain dangerous chemicals and toxins and are purposely infused into jet fuel to change the weather and are dangerous for humans.

Kennedy made his “chemtrail” investigation announcement as the keynote speaker at the Children’s Health Defense conference, a noted anti vaccination group Kennedy co-founded and was chairman of before becoming Health and Human Services Secretary under President Trump. He assured the anti-vaccination group “You have a steadfast friend at the White House.”

There’s no evidence that “chemtrails” are real or harmful, and scientists and doctors overwhelmingly agree that vaccines are safe, highly effective and are one of the greatest achievements in public health history. Kennedy has a long career as a conspiracy theorist and now, he’s able to make his conspiracies policy.

If Kennedy were a private citizen doing his so-called research, none of it would matter, but he is supposed to be guarding the health of a nation, not wasting time investigating something my sixth grade science teacher explained in five minutes or that the majority of doctors believe is essential for children’s health.

There are serious health issues that need immediate attention. There’s a measles outbreak sweeping across the country, there are repeated food safety issues that endanger Americans, and many of our rivers, lakes, and streams are making us sick.

Make America Healthy Again has some powerful believers.

When Trump appointed Kennedy, he said, “I’m going to let him go wild on health. I’m going to let him go wild on food. I’m going to let him go wild on the medicines.” This is one promise Trump has kept. He’s gone wild and it’s dangerous.  

Because of Kennedy’s conspiracies Trump has signed an executive order reducing recommended childhood vaccinations from 18 to 11 and split the MMR immunization into three doses. Also, Trump continues to say, without any scientific backing, that reducing the doses would lead to a massive reduction in autism.

Kennedy’s wild conspiracy theories are also front and center in Iowa’s race for governor. Republican candidate Zach Lahn is a MAHA advocate. During the Republican primary he said he would pull Covid vaccines off the market because he had a total lack of trust in the medical establishment. He also called for eliminating all childhood vaccine requirements to enroll in school.

We all love good yarn. That’s why we read fiction before bed, on the beach, in waiting rooms. But when fiction morphs into conspiracy that becomes policy, it’s deadly. We need a health leader who concentrates on health instead of streaks in the sky and spreading misinformation about vaccines that have protected children for 55 years.

Bruce Lear lives in Sioux City. He has been connected to public schools for 38 years. He taught for 11 years and represented educators as an Iowa State Education Association Regional Director for 27 years until he retired.