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Anti-science extremism in America: escalating and globalizing

Microbes Infect. 2020 Nov-Dec;22(10):505-507. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2020.09.005. Epub 2020 Sep 19.

Abstract

The last five years has seen a sharp rise in anti-science rhetoric in the United States, especially from the political far right, mostly focused on vaccines and, of late, anti-COVID-19 prevention approaches. Vaccine coverage has declined in more than 100 US counties leading to measles outbreaks in 2019, while in 2020 the US became the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the anti-science movement in America has begun to globalize, with new and unexpected associations with extremist groups and the potential for tragic consequences in terms of global public health. A new anti-science triumvirate has emerged, comprised of far right groups in the US and Germany, and amplified by Russian media.

Keywords: Anti-science; Covid-19; Vaccine hesitancy.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 / psychology
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Coronavirus Infections / psychology*
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Measles / epidemiology*
  • Measles / prevention & control
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Russia
  • United States
  • Vaccination / adverse effects
  • Vaccination / psychology*
  • Vaccines / immunology
  • World Health Organization

Substances

  • Vaccines