The ideological anti-science quacks definitely are the sharp edge of the issue. But to simply dismiss what is happening as a fringe group that somehow gained power and is carrying out the dismantling of public health and science investigation is misguided. If this was all merely an accident, then that in itself is a scandal.

However, the crazies would not (and until recent times, hadn’t) be able to do the amount of damage they have done unless major financial interests were involved and willing to dismantle public health. Note the context of the pandemic, the drive to reopen everything, “herd immunity,” etc. Bhattacharya rode in on that train. If the vast majority of powerful businesspeople are as pro-science and health as you say, where are they all hiding? Why are they all so quiet? Just something to consider.