Doctor calls anti-science movement as ‘big a threat’ as coronavirus

Professor Peter Hotez, a US paediatrician and infectious diseases expert, says misinformation has already cost tens of thousands of lives and more needs to be done to tackle it
Professor Peter Hotez. Photo: Baylor University

A US paediatrician has called for tougher measures against COVID-19 conspiracists, saying a growing ‘anti-science’ movement is becoming a bigger threat than the coronavirus itself.

Professor Peter Hotez, a Texas vaccine and infectious disease expert, says disinformation campaigns of “unprecedented magnitude” have already cost tens of thousands of lives during the pandemic.