Thread by @karamballes

🧵HART was set up with support of ppl linked to GBD, they also have links to the astroturf disinformation group UsForThem
While HART is not openly vax, it is a collection of anti vaxers, their account only posts negative stories about vaccines.

https://twitter.com/Aw_what/status/1382303954990682116?s=19

2/ While claiming to be an independent non political group they have a lot of link to RW politics, Conservative party, Brexit Party etc, writing for various Conservative blogs, Spectator etc

Last autumn Spectator kept platforming GBD claims we had HI

https://twitter.com/Aw_what/status/1363872473360568324?s=19

The kind of disinformation HART put out includes claims that Delta is actually more mild and isn't more transmissible.

But somehow is rapidly outcompeting all other variants

They are lobbying government to just stop testing children, actually they don't think we should test at all, and don't think asymptomatic transmission is real

Despite MHRA and regulators around the world finding the vaccines safe for children, HART have been relentless against child vax using misleading data to exaggerate harms of vax while minimising covid risks

Regularly hearing Vax hesitant 20/30 year olds saying "why should healthy ppl be vaccinated"
HART hoped this kind of anti child vax rhetoric would also discourage adults.

TalkRadio are proving particularly fertile ground for HART, forget online trolls, its national media outlets, journalists, presenters and MPs making fringe groups mainstream thats the issue

The scary thing is how many Tory MPs are engaging with HART behind closed doors as they seek an alternative view to SAGE.

SAGE advice is published
We have no idea what is said in HART and GBD briefings, even those they have with MPs

Huge decisions are being made without scrutiny,closed door meetings with secretive lobbyists pushing ideas against the scientific consensus,internal party politics determining Johnsons covid policy which is then leaked to papers platforming the lobbyists rather than in parliament

Parliament has been bypassed, press briefings are still held with Downing Street controlling the mute button

Does feel like democracy is being undermined and those who were so passionate about Sovereignty of Parliament in recent years are facilitating this.