Berenson says lot of confused and concern-trolly things about vaccines. Via email, I asked him to lay out his case for vaccine skepticism.
He replied.
Then I shared his claims with scientists.
They called his theories “absolutely stupid,” “simple fear-mongering,” and “bogus.”
He replied.
Then I shared his claims with scientists.
They called his theories “absolutely stupid,” “simple fear-mongering,” and “bogus.”
Berenson's claims about the immune system show either a total misunderstanding or deliberate misrepresentation of normal immune-system behavior. 
His claims about Pfizer-BioNTech clinical data show either a total misunderstanding or deliberate misrepresentation of clinical data terminology.
His criticism of Israel’s vaccine experience doesn't make any sense.
When he sent me a Hebrew article for evidence (I don’t speak Hebrew) I forwarded it to @segal_eran (he does), who said actually Berenson's supposed evidence contradicted thesis.
When he sent me a Hebrew article for evidence (I don’t speak Hebrew) I forwarded it to @segal_eran (he does), who said actually Berenson's supposed evidence contradicted thesis.
Scary vaccine side-effects are a favorite conspiracy theory of his, so let me pause to show exactly how his theories fail to make contact with reality.
Consider his claim that an “excellent” study showed COVID cases spiked in Danish nursing homes after the 1st dose.
I called the lead author. Yes, there were positive cases in the 1st-dose group. Why? Bc the vaccines were surged into LTCFs *already dealing with an outbreak*!
I called the lead author. Yes, there were positive cases in the 1st-dose group. Why? Bc the vaccines were surged into LTCFs *already dealing with an outbreak*!
Think about this. Surging vaccines into high-risk areas is smart.
If we surged vaccines in Michigan now, it's inevitable some ppl who received a dose would already be infected with COVID.
By Berenson's logic, this would be proof that the vaccine *made them catch* COVID.
If we surged vaccines in Michigan now, it's inevitable some ppl who received a dose would already be infected with COVID.
By Berenson's logic, this would be proof that the vaccine *made them catch* COVID.
There are two upshots here.
1. This isn’t just about one guy. Vax skepticism enjoys widespread support among Republicans. This group is the marrow of America’s vax resistance problem, and they rely on sources like Fox News that give airtime to Berenson and bullshit.
1. This isn’t just about one guy. Vax skepticism enjoys widespread support among Republicans. This group is the marrow of America’s vax resistance problem, and they rely on sources like Fox News that give airtime to Berenson and bullshit.
2. The vaccines work, period.
The case for them is built upon a firm foundation of scientific discovery, clinical-trial data, and real-world evidence.
If the case against them wobbles, it is likely because it is built upon a steaming pile of bullshit.
theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
The case for them is built upon a firm foundation of scientific discovery, clinical-trial data, and real-world evidence.
If the case against them wobbles, it is likely because it is built upon a steaming pile of bullshit.
theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
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