What would Jonas Salk say in RFK Jr.'s America? A vaccine legacy reimagined
Picture this: It's the 1950s. Polio is terrifying families across the globe. Kids are getting paralyzed, hospitals are overflowing, and playgrounds feel like danger zones. Enter Jonas Salk—a quiet, brilliant guy with a game-changing idea: a vaccine that could stop polio in its tracks.
And when he finally succeeds? He gives it away. No patent, no billion-dollar payout. When asked why, he famously replied, 'Could you patent the sun?'
That was the mindset back then—science was about saving lives, not making money. Fast forward to today, and it feels like we've entered a different universe.
The COVID-19 pandemic hit, and science scrambled—again—for answers. Vaccines were developed faster than ever before.
But instead of a global celebration, what followed was a storm of skepticism, conspiracy theories, and a whole lot of noise. And right in the middle of it all? Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Once known for his environmental activism, RFK Jr. is now one of the loudest anti-vaccine voices in America. During the height of the pandemic, his social media feed became a firehose of vaccine misinformation. In fact, one study found that a small group of 'superspreaders'—including Kennedy—was responsible for most of the vaccine lies circulating online in 2021.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
오스템 임플란트 받아가세요
임플란터
더 알아보기
Undo
Think about that. A few loud voices managed to drown out an entire global scientific effort.
It makes you wonder: What would Jonas Salk say about all this?
How did we get here—from a time when people lined up for vaccines to now, where some folks would rather take horse dewormer than trust a doctor?
The roots go deep. Back in the '90s, a fraudulent study claimed vaccines caused autism—and even though it was debunked and retracted, the damage was done.
That lie planted a seed of fear that's only grown thanks to social media, which tends to reward loud opinions more than accurate ones. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) gave Kennedy Jr. a megaphone—and people listened.
Salk would probably be heartbroken. A man who believed in science as a tool for the common good would have a hard time wrapping his head around today's landscape, where personal beliefs often outweigh scientific facts, and public health becomes a political battleground.
But he might also see a glimmer of hope. Because polio didn't disappear thanks to one guy—it was millions of parents, nurses, teachers, scientists, and everyday people who got on board and made it happen. That same spirit still exists. We see it in healthcare workers, in vaccine advocates, in communities pushing back against misinformation with facts and empathy.
Maybe Salk would remind us that this isn't just about shots in arms.
It's about trust. About choosing to believe in something bigger than yourself. About remembering that public health means everyone's health—not just yours.
So as we stand in this weird, chaotic moment in history, we've got a choice to make. Do we let misinformation win? Or do we fight for facts, for science, and for the idea that saving lives is still something worth believing in?
Because the question isn't just 'What would Jonas Salk say?'
The real question is: What do we want our legacy to be?
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Doing Intermittent Fasting THIS way can help in weight loss; Harvard doctor gives 3 tips
credit: instagram@ In a world full of quick fixes, weight loss tricks, and diet charts, intermittent fasting has risen steadily to prominence for one reason and surprisingly, it works. But doing it just right is the key. According to Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard and Stanford-trained gastroenterologist, losing weight with fasting doesn't mean radical schedules or starvation. It's all about balance and making the right choices. He recently posted three must-know tips that can make you unlock the true potentials of intermittent fasting without stressing your body. Here's how you can proceed. Start easy by using 12:12 rule If you're new to fasting, don't start with long fasts or skipping meals aggressively. Starting with a 12:12 regimen that is, eating within a 12-hour window and fasting for the other 12 hours. For instance, if your last meal is at 8 p.m., your next meal should be at 8 a.m. the next day. This rhythm is gentle enough for beginners while still giving your digestive system a break. More importantly, it helps regulate your body clock, improves sleep, and introduces your metabolism to a healthier pattern. Over time, it becomes easier to shift to more intense fasting plans like 16:8 if needed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo Try to avoid snacking in between meals Dr. Sethi highlights that snacking too often is one of the largest barriers to weight loss. With every snack, particularly on processed or sugary foods, your insulin level surges. With elevated insulin levels, your body will begin storing fat rather than burning it. To stop this cycle, he recommends eating full, filling meals within your meal window and nothing else in between. This makes the body stay longer in a fat-burning mode and trains it to depend less on a continuous energy supply. It also results in more conscious eating. Instead of grabbing chips or cookies out of boredom, you start enjoying nutrient-dense, satisfying meals that sustain you and keep you fuller for longer. Drink zero-calorie beverages Fasting doesn't mean going without fluids; in fact, hydration is a vital part of fasting. It is recommended to take calorie-free beverages like water, black coffee, or green tea. These drinks not only help keep hunger at bay but also support metabolic activity. Black coffee and green tea contain compounds that may aid fat oxidation and mental alertness. Also, they could be an excellent way to handle cravings or drowsiness during fasting hours without breaking your fast. General hydration would aid in flushing out toxins while promoting digestion and helping you feel full throughout, making the overall practice of fasting easier and more effective. Dr. Sethi's fasting tips are notable for their simplicity and emphasis on sustainability. You don't have to starve yourself or follow radical eating habits to shed some pounds. Rather, by adhering to a disciplined regime, abstaining from unwarranted snacks, and ensuring adequate hydration, you can harmonize your diet with your body's internal rhythm. In this noisy universe of weight-loss tricks and shortcuts, these three suggestions provide clarity and a consistent course toward improved health. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla: What you didn't know about the space-bound hero from Lucknow
Shubhanshu Shukla Some stories just feel cinematic. Like a kid from the historic streets of Lucknow growing up to soar past the clouds and into space. That's exactly what's happening with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla , a top-tier pilot from the Indian Air Force (IAF) who's now getting ready to become one of the few Indians to ever leave Earth's atmosphere. At just 39, Shukla is stepping into history. He's been chosen as one of the astronauts for India's first-ever human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, led by ISRO. But before that giant leap, he's heading out on a pretty big deal too—Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)—a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). If all goes to plan, he'll be the first Indian to ever visit the ISS and just the second Indian in space, after Rakesh Sharma way back in 1984. From fighter jets to spacecrafts Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Shubhanshu's journey has been anything but ordinary. After finishing school, he joined the Indian Air Force in 2006 and never looked back. Over the years, he's flown some of the biggest birds in the sky—from Su-30 MKIs and MiG-21s to Jaguars, Hawks, Dornier, and An-32s. He's not just a pilot—he's a combat leader and a test pilot, with over 2,000 hours of flying under his belt. By March 2024, he'd already earned the title of Group Captain, and that's not handed out easily. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo It came after years of dedication, leadership, and some serious flying chops. The call from ISRO In 2019, he got that call from ISRO—the one that changed everything. He was picked as one of the few candidates for India's upcoming space mission. Next stop? Star City, Moscow—home to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, where Russia trains its astronauts. Training there wasn't a walk in the park. Shukla had to prep for zero gravity, harsh reentry scenarios, emergency water landings—you name it. Think astronaut boot camp, but Russian-style. 'The training reshaped how I think, react, and survive,' he later said. Not your typical 9 to 5. Then, on February 27, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially introduced him to the nation as one of the chosen astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission. Standing in his Air Force blues, Shukla wasn't just representing himself—he was carrying the dreams of over a billion Indians. First stop: The International Space Station Before heading off on Gaganyaan, Shukla will be flying high on Axiom Mission 4, set to launch on June 11, 2025, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He'll be aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket inside a Crew Dragon capsule—how cool is that? He'll be joined by Peggy Whitson from the US (a total space legend), Tibor Kapu from Hungary, and Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland. Their mission? Spend about two to three weeks aboard the ISS, running experiments, sharing knowledge, and representing international cooperation in space. For India, this is huge. No Indian has ever stepped foot on the ISS. Shukla's mission is a symbol of how far we've come and how closely we're working with global space agencies. Calm, cool, and all about the mission Despite the attention, Shukla keeps things super low-key. He doesn't chase the spotlight or post flashy updates. He's the kind of guy who lets his work do the talking. Everyone who's met him says the same: sharp mind, steady hands, humble heart. He's fluent in English and Hindi, sharp under pressure, and always calm—a trait that's crucial when you're orbiting 400 km above Earth. His colleagues say he brings a quiet confidence that helps others stay grounded—even when they're not. Gaganyaan: The main event Once the Ax-4 mission wraps, Shukla will be back in the spotlight for Gaganyaan, which is expected to launch sometime in 2025. He's one of four astronauts selected, and many believe he'll be piloting the mission—or even commanding it. If he does, he'll make history again as the first Indian to head into space aboard an Indian-made rocket, from Indian soil. It'll be our country's first step into fully crewed space exploration—a realm currently ruled by only a few nations like the US, Russia, and China. A new chapter in Indian space history Back in 1984, when Rakesh Sharma looked down at Earth and said, 'Saare Jahan Se Achha,' it became an iconic moment in Indian history. Fast forward four decades, and we might soon hear Shubhanshu Shukla's voice echoing from space with a brand-new message for India. From the narrow lanes of Lucknow to floating inside the ISS, his journey is the stuff of dreams. But it's also a reminder of what focus, grit, and a bit of sky-high ambition can achieve. So remember the name. When that rocket takes off, it's not just a mission—it's the moment India touches the stars again. And Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be right there, leading the way.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Covid more severe among elderly: Kerala Health Minister advocates special care as cases increase
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 11 (ANI): Amid an increase in Covid-19 cases, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has said that special care should be taken as the disease remains more severe among the elderly and those with other diseases. She added that the Omicron JN.1 variants LF.7 and XFG were the most common in Kerala. These variants are 'not as severe' but have a high potential for spreading the disease. 'Masks should be worn in public places and during travel. Genomic sequencing is being conducted to identify the Covid-19 variant. The Omicron JN.1 variant LF.7 and XFG, which are spreading in Southeast Asian countries, are the most common in Kerala. Although these variants are not as severe, they have a high potential for spreading the disease,' the minister said. There are 2,223 active cases in the state, with 96 people undergoing treatment. Ernakulam district reported 431 Covid-19 cases, 426 cases in Kottayam, and 365 in Thiruvananthapuram. 'There are currently 2,223 active Covid cases in the state. 96 people are under treatment. Most of them have other diseases. 431 cases have been reported in Ernakulam district, 426 cases in Kottayam and 365 cases in Thiruvananthapuram,' the ministry said. All hospitals have been instructed to conduct Covid tests for those with symptoms, including cold, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath. The minister also stated that instructions have been given to ensure oxygen availability. This comes after George chaired a meeting with the state unit of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) to assess the situation in the state. The concerned officials have been directed not to refer patients to private hospitals unnecessarily due to Covid. 'Unnecessary visits to hospitals should be avoided. Those with symptoms such as a cold, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath should wear masks. Masks are mandatory in hospitals. Hands should be cleaned with soap or sanitiser from time to time,' the minister added. As of Tuesday morning, India has reported 6,815 active Covid-19 cases. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), 163 cases of the new Covid-19 variant XFG have recently been detected across the country. Earlier, Balram Bhargava, former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and former Secretary of the Department of Health Research, said that the emergence of the XFG variant is part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus's natural evolution. He added that India is well-positioned to detect and contain emerging variants swiftly due to the widespread deployment of rapid molecular diagnostic platforms such as Truenat. (ANI)
