This episode of We Want Them Infected delves into the implications of RFK Jr.'s recent nominations to lead major public health agencies, including his selection of anti-vaccine advocates for key roles. Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent analyze the potential resurgence of preventable diseases such as measles, polio, and pertussis due to declining vaccination rates. They also critique the medical professionals and media figures who normalized RFK Jr.’s rhetoric, arguing that these individuals...

Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent trace the evolution of COVID-19 discourse from the early calls for open scientific debate to the current atmosphere of hostility and revenge.    They examine the shift in tone from figures like Vinay Prasad, who initially warned against demonizing heterodox views, to now using inflammatory language that fuels public outrage against scientists and public health officials. The discussion highlights the rise of dangerous populist narratives that threaten the...

The latest episode of We Want Them Infected dives into the unsettling consequences of the recent election, with RFK Jr. poised to gain significant influence over public health policy. Jonathan and Wendy lament the spread of misinformation and its role in shaping voter choices, particularly the anti-vaccine rhetoric promoted by influential figures like RFK Jr., Jay Bhattacharya, and Marty McCary. They worry about the potential rollback of school vaccine mandates, the erosion of CDC authority,...

In this pre-election episode of We Want Them Infected, hosts Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent discuss the alarming potential of RFK Jr. assuming control over America’s key health agencies under a Trump administration. With stakes high for the election, the episode dissects the anti-vaccine rhetoric and misinformation strategies that could influence policies affecting public health, and they delve into statements made by RFK Jr. and supporting figures like Dr. Vinay Prasad and Dr. Marty...

Hosts Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent return to discuss the normalization of anti-vaccine and disinformation narratives within respected medical circles. They explore prominent doctors’ public support for RFK Jr., who has spread numerous vaccine-related conspiracy theories.    The episode critiques figures like Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and Dr. Marty McCary for endorsing Kennedy’s viewpoints and the potential risks if RFK's allies gain key health roles. Connect with us further on...

Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent dive into the dangerous world of pandemic revisionism and vaccine misinformation spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. They detail RFK Jr.'s extensive history of promoting anti-vaccine rhetoric and conspiracy theories, from false claims about COVID-19 targeting specific ethnic groups to his unfounded accusations linking vaccines to autism. The hosts warn about RFK Jr.’s recent alliance with Donald Trump and the frightening prospect of him influencing public...

Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent delve into the debate over COVID-19’s origins, discussing the scientific evidence behind both the lab leak and natural transmission theories. They critique the rhetoric used by some public health figures and organizations like Biosafety Now, highlighting the contradictions in how lab safety and herd immunity have been framed during the pandemic. The episode concludes by emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to both lab safety and zoonotic disease...

In this episode, hosts Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent explore recent COVID-19 developments, including a study from JAMA examining long-term outcomes of vaccine-induced myocarditis versus COVID-19 myocarditis. They discuss the implications of these findings, contrasting the media's portrayal of vaccine myocarditis with the actual data.    The conversation shifts to the controversial political landscape as RFK Jr. drops out of the presidential race to endorse Trump, highlighting his...

In this episode, the discussion centers around the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines by certain doctors, with a specific focus on Dr. Vinay Prasad.  Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent critique Dr. Prasad's approach to public discourse about the pandemic, pointing out his contradictory statements and apparent disregard for scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of vaccines in children. They highlight how Dr. Prasad's fear-mongering over vaccine side effects...

Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent explore the harmful effects of tone policing within the medical community, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. They argue that tone policing is being used to protect prominent figures who have spread misleading information, such as Dr. John Ioannidis and Emily Oster, while silencing legitimate criticism.  The hosts emphasize the importance of maintaining open debate and challenge the hypocrisy of those who prioritize politeness over truth, even as the...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent dive into the controversial topic of herd immunity in the COVID-19 pandemic. They explore how early beliefs in natural immunity, touted by prominent figures, have been debunked by the ongoing waves of COVID reinfections and deaths. The discussion highlights how some experts have attempted to redefine herd immunity to cover up their past mistakes, and the duo emphasizes the importance of admitting errors rather than misleading the public.   Connect with us...

In this episode, Dr. Howard and Wendy discuss the troubling trend of politicizing vaccines, focusing on recent comments by Trump and JD Vance against vaccine and mask mandates in schools. They explore the misinformation spread by notable figures like Marty McCary, who falsely claimed that no healthy children have died from COVID. The episode also addresses the alarming resurgence of COVID cases in San Francisco and the potential return of mask mandates. By debunking myths and highlighting the...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent discuss a controversial Reuters article revealing a Pentagon-led secret anti-vax campaign aimed at discrediting China's Sinovac vaccine. They delve into the ethical implications and consequences of this campaign, highlighting the impact on public trust in vaccines.  The hosts also address recent COVID-19 trends, vaccination debates, and the importance of maintaining routine childhood immunizations amidst the pandemic.   List of Resources Reuters...

Jonathan Howard's latest podcast episode revisits the early COVID-19 predictions of Dr. John Ioannidis, a prominent figure known for his controversial stance on herd immunity and the pandemic's severity. Howard plays clips from Ioannidis' interviews and writings, highlighting significant discrepancies between his optimistic projections and the actual outcomes of the pandemic. The episode also addresses Ioannidis' views on vaccine side effects, contrasting them with the broader scientific...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent critically examine the Great Barrington Declaration, a controversial document that proposed achieving herd immunity by allowing COVID-19 to spread among low-risk populations. They explore the impracticalities and dangers of this plan, the public's rejection of it, and the declaration's failure to protect vulnerable individuals. The discussion highlights the unrealistic expectations of the declaration's authors and the real-world consequences of their...

Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent critically examine the premature declarations of herd immunity made by various doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic. They revisit statements by Dr. Marty McCary, Dr. Monica Gandhi, Dr. Lucy McBride, and others who incorrectly claimed that the pandemic was nearly over, even as new variants like Delta and Omicron emerged. The hosts discuss the impact of these false claims on public health and trust in medical professionals, emphasizing the need for accurate...

This episode of "We Want Them Infected" explores the early pandemic predictions made by Dr. John Ioannidis and the subsequent misinformation that spread from credible academic sources to conspiracy theorists and political figures. Hosts Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orant analyze Ioannidis's claims, such as the prediction that only 40,000 Americans would die from COVID-19 and the assertion that most deaths were not directly caused by the virus. They also discuss the impact of these predictions on...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent discuss Jonathan's recent experience of being cancelled, censored, and silenced. Jonathan shares his story about being disinvited from speaking at a conference because his talk was considered "too political." The conference organizers, fearing backlash from powerful politicians and the potential negative impact on their organization, decided to cancel his talk. Jonathan challenges prominent figures like Bari Weiss, who advocate for free speech, to come to...

Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent focus on the escalating hostility towards Dr. Anthony Fauci, spurred by political rhetoric and the divisive stances of certain doctors advocating for herd immunity. They explore the history of Fauci's comments on masks, the critiques from the authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, and the broader implications of these conflicts for public health. The episode also touches on the parallels drawn between current public health debates and historical examples...

Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent dive into the pro-infection movement that supports infecting unvaccinated children to achieve herd immunity. They discuss the recent conviction of Trump and the public's reaction, highlighting the parallels between political and medical misinformation.  The episode critically examines statements made by figures like Dr. Scott Atlas and Dr. Vinay Prasad, pointing out their inconsistencies and the potential harm of their advocacy. The hosts stress the importance...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent discuss the problematic communication surrounding COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. They highlight the overly optimistic claims made by several doctors and how these statements contributed to public mistrust when vaccines did not completely eliminate transmission or provide long-term immunity. The episode critiques the medical community's handling of vaccine messaging and emphasizes the importance of honesty and caution in public health communications.   List of...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent tackle the contentious issue of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. They explore the narrative that school closures were merely a choice influenced by cautious politicians and unions, contrasting it with the reality that the virus itself forced many schools to shut down. The hosts discuss the devastating effects on students, teachers, and families, highlighting cases of illness, death, and the rise in COVID orphans.    They also criticize...

The episode explores the complex narrative surrounding COVID-19's impact on cardiac health and the conflicting views on vaccine-induced myocarditis.  By examining the discourse and publications of medical conservatives, the hosts illustrate a significant discrepancy in how COVID-19 cardiac problems are portrayed compared to those related to the vaccine. Highlighting specific cases and statistical misinterpretations presented by doctors like Prasad and Mandrola, the episode argues that such...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent explore the concerns around vaccine myocarditis in children, emphasizing the rarity and mild nature of this side effect in the context of broader COVID-19 impacts.  They provide a detailed analysis of the incidence and severity of COVID-19 among different age groups, underlining the disproportionate effects on black and Hispanic children.  The hosts critically examine the statistical representation of COVID-related deaths and hospitalizations, shedding...