A story in two parts:
"Probably doesnt help that pharmaceutical companies are about as trustworthy as the national press in most countries. Nobody believes a word they say anymore due to hidden agendas and historic manipulation of information for corporate greed."
"well its either [Trump] or cackling Kamila and her merry band of men dressed as women in government so its just which is the lesser of two evils 🤔"
Both comments are from the same poster, in the same thread. You can probably guess the context. I've left grammar and spelling intact, because you know, I like to cite my sources accurately.
This is why I look side-eyed at people who claim to distruct #vaccines, or any #medications really, on the basis of #corporate malfeasance. Yes, #pharmaceutical companies tend toward greed and corruption. So do all companies. The bigger they get, the worse their behavior gets, and some pharmas are among the biggest corporations on the planet. Most aren't, BTW—small #biotechs betting everything they have on one or two possible treatments outnumber the Pfizers and Lillys about ten thousand to one. That being said, I do understand where the idea of drug development as a monolith comes from.
It's not why people go #antivax. I'd like to believe it was, because that would mean it might be possible to get through to them. I've learned better. Scratch anyone who uses the kind of vaguely leftish rhetoric in the first comment, on this particular topic, and there's a really good chance you'll find a right-wing loon. #NotAll as needed, but close enough. Most of the rest are lefties who seem determined to prove horseshoe theory.
And it *works*. Lots of mostly reasonable people will nod along with comments like the first, and never even see the second. If it gets posted at all—good propagandists are a lot smarter than this guy.
The effectiveness of this rhetoric is a big part of the reason why we currently have mass murderers in charge of our medical research system. They may kill you, and they will almost certainly kill at least a few people who matter to you. Do not forget.
