Time to dispel some misinformation on the anti-mask/anti-vaccine movement. Unfortunately it appears there’s now an attempt to suggest this isnt largely a fringe movement of the alt-right and right wing political extremism. That is not true.

I have written extensively on how the anti-vaccine movement has uniquely coalesced populists from the right and the left. Most notably in this @SacBeeEditBoard opEd https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/california-forum/article235028692.html

However, it is not debatable that the anti-mask/anti-vaccine movement is overwhelmingly a right wing fringe movement. It’s not even close. Why? First of all much of this is being fueled by Donald Trump. It’s been politicized by a Republican President for political purposes

It’s absurd to suggest that Trumps anti-mask movement is somehow part of anything occurring on the left. Moreover, in California not a single Republican legislator voted for vaccine legislation #SB276. Not a single one. In fact, every Republican legislator was just awarded

An award from anti-vaccination groups just a couple of days ago. Yes a few Democrats but also the ENTIRE Republican caucus received an award from these conspiracy theorists: Here’s a photo:

Antimask behavior is being fueled by Republican politicians across the country. GOP members of Congress, state legislators and even down to the local level - Republicans have decided this is a political decision and are encouraging the antimask & anti-vaccine crowd

Polling shows consistently that both sides of the aisle view protective masks very differently - driven largely by the political calculation being made by office holders in this country. Republicans are far less likely to support masks to protect the public health.

Is it exclusively Republican? No. But it is overwhelmingly Republican. Suggesting otherwise isn’t just silly - it’s dangerous and legitimizes a dangerous situation.

The ONLY way to stop this behavior is to be direct and honest about that. That is how you contain the disinformation being spread. This is a political movement by Republicans. Any effort to suggest otherwise is simply not true & is fueling the movement.

It is time we had an honest conversation about this movement of right wing fringe extremists. They peddle in misinformation, aggressive behavior and outright lies. They must be treated as the danger they are & we must stop those who cover up for the right wing promoting it.