In West Texas, falsehoods about the measles vaccine, chief among them the disproven claim it causes autism, persuaded many families to forgo immunization. Then, two children died from a disease modern medicine had conquered decades earlier. It was a tragedy in miniature, but a preview of the scale of loss that can follow when politics overwhelms the doctor-patient relationship.
In 2020, the United States faced a far larger test. President Donald Trump’s Operation Warp Speed was the most decisive act of his presidency and one of the most effective public-private mobilizations in modern times. The norm for vaccine development is about 10 years — developing a measles vaccine took roughly that long. The scientific community’s most optimistic forecast estimated 12 to 18 months for a COVID-19
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!