By Matt Underwood 
The news that Donald Trump has chosen Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sent shockwaves through the nation. This is a pick that has left many people wondering how this could possibly be a good idea. After all, RFK Jr. is a well-known anti-vaccine activist who has spread dangerous misinformation about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. He has also promoted conspiracy theories about various diseases, including AIDS, the Spanish Flu, and Lyme disease.
It’s hard to fathom how someone who holds such deeply flawed views on public health could be entrusted with leading the HHS. This department oversees a vast array of agencies and programs, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These agencies are responsible for safeguarding the health and well-being of all Americans.
What’s worse is that this appointment comes at a time when the country is facing a growing number of public health challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a resurgence of measles, and the threat of a new avian flu strain. In light of these challenges, it seems completely reckless to put someone like RFK Jr. in charge of the nation’s health.
Many people are also concerned about the potential consequences of RFK Jr.’s appointment on the credibility of the HHS and its agencies. Experts in public health have expressed serious doubts about his qualifications for the job, and they fear that his appointment will undermine public trust in science-based medicine.
Adding to the growing sense of dread, there is the looming possibility that Trump may choose to undermine the agencies under his control and appoint his own loyalists, even if they lack the necessary expertise. This would be a huge blow to the integrity of these agencies and could lead to a decline in their effectiveness.
The prospect of RFK Jr. heading the HHS is a nightmare scenario for anyone who cares about public health. This is an appointment that has the potential to do lasting damage to the country’s health care system. It’s hard to imagine a more dangerous and irresponsible pick for this critical role.
If this appointment goes through, it’s crucial to stand up and speak out against it. We need to make our voices heard and demand that our elected officials hold the Trump administration accountable for their dangerous and reckless decisions. We cannot allow those who deny science and spread misinformation to control the nation’s health. The health and safety of our nation hangs in the balance.