It’s hard to believe that infectious diseases have become a political litmus test, but they are now very much part of the “with us or against us” mental sorting more and more people seem to be doing these days. And the topic seems to be everywhere. Do you think the U.S. should continue funding aid programs for diseases such as AIDS, TB and malaria? Are you pleased or horrified about Florida’s plans to undo school vaccine mandates? Do you seek out or steer clear of the annual flu vaccine?
As someone who recently completed 15 years of post-college training to become an infectious diseases physician-scientist, I can’t avoid these conversations. I just wish I knew the magic words to reach people willing to jettison decades of evidence and research for something they read online.
I am proud of my work and committed to my profession. Yet in a country polarized by everything from the response to the abhorrent assassination of Charlie Kirk to RFK Jr.’s abrupt reconfiguration of the nation’s vaccine advisory committee, I hesitated to share my occupation with the talkative young man I was recently seated next to on a flight.
A free press is the backbone of democracy — and it’s under pressure. At HuffPost, we’re committed to independent, courageous journalism that speaks truth to power. Help keep our reporting strong and accessible: Join our membership program today.
