RFK Jr. resurrects an old antivax half-truth about “saline placebos” in randomized controlled trials of vaccines
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has resurrected the antivax claim that the childhood vaccine schedule has never been tested in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a saline placebo controls (and therefore the vaccine schedule is unsafe). This is an old and deceptive antivax half-truth that ignores both what constitutes a scientifically valid placebo and the ethical requirements for RCTs.
Anti-Vaccine Doctors: “Kids Don’t Need the Vaccine Because They Are Less Likely to Acquire SARS-CoV-2 and Because Most Already Had COVID-19”
Those of us who thought about vaccines before the pandemic know perfectly well that anti-vaxxers start with their conclusions and work backwards to retrofit the "evidence." Doctors who do the same shouldn't be regarded any differently.
Does Intermittent Fasting Work?
New research, same old narrative.
RFK Jr. and Joe Rogan: Putting the old denialist technique of bad faith “Debate me, bro!” challenges on steroids
Joe Rogan conveyed a challenge by antivax crank turned Presidential candidate RFK Jr. to vaccine scientist Dr. Peter Hotez to "debate me, bro!" In the week since, wealthy right wingers have added money to the inducement, and through an awful op-ed by Ross Douthat this weekend, even the New York Times has amped up the pressure for a "debate" about vaccines with...
Steve Kirsch and Brandolini’s law
The amount of energy needed to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than that needed to produce it.
Science-Based Satire: Could Spontaneous Human Combustion Become a Chronic, Treatable Disease? Maybe. Yeah, I think so.
Do humans spontaneously burst into flames? Can these mysterious cases be predicted and kept at bay by homeopathic remedies? No. They don't and they can't. I made it all up. Is it just me, or is getting really hot in here.
Can Kinesiology Tape Increase Oxygen Delivery and Improve Sports Performance?
USA Track & Field is endorsing a kinesiology tape that is claimed to improve cell oxygenation.
Update on GMOs and Health
Thirty years on, there is even more evidence that GMO food are safe.
When an antivax physician “dies suddenly”: The case of Dr. Rashid Buttar
Last month, Dr. Rashid Buttar, a prominent antivax "integrative medicine" practitioner, died suddenly. Because he hadn't been vaccinated, antivaxxers struggled mightily to reconcile his death with their conspiracy theory about COVID-19 vaccines killing thousands "suddenly." It turns out, however, that that Dr. Buttar had not been a well man since 2016 and was as much a victim of quackery as his patients...
Courage
If I were King of the Vaccines. Some thoughts on influenza vaccine, hospitalization, death and courage.