Fake news Mayor says anti-vaxxers are risking lives
DISINFORMATION about vaccines – and Covid-19 – can be fatal, and end up costing Bristolians their lives.”
That’s the stark warning from Bristol mayor Marvin Rees as he claims there’s now “light at the end of a tunnel”.
The mayor’s comments, in his weekly blog, come just days after 400 anti-lockdown protesters marched through Bristol city centre on Saturday.
Five people were charged after Stand Up Bristol’s demonstration.
Chief Constable Andy Marsh voiced his outrage at those who took part, branding them “plain stupid” and saying they’re “nothing short of a disgrace”.
Yesterday, Mr Rees said: “With the UK now the first European country to pass the tragic milestone of 50,000 Covid-19 deaths, we cannot afford to lose focus on what we all must do to keep each other safe and save lives. With cases still rising, not falling, in Bristol, this means sticking to the current restrictions.
“Everyone working on the vaccine trials – and volunteers taking part in them – should be immensely proud of making these steps forward possible; but we have to be realistic that the road to eradicating Covid-19 may still be long.
“As well as consistent public health messaging to explain and promote the take-up of approved vaccines, there is a clear case for new legislation to ensure that social media companies remove conspiracy theories about vaccines.
“Anti-vax fake news has doubtless contributed to a dip in the take-up of the free MMR vaccine, which saw measles return to the UK last year. Disinformation about vaccines – and Covid-19 – can be fatal, and end up costing Bristolians their lives.”
He also said questions remain about as yet unpublished action plans for the rollout of any vaccine.
We have to be realistic that the road to eradicating Covid-19 may still be long
Mayor Marvin Rees