it's not a single source, but certainly media editorialized that into the collective consciousness as an attention-capturing bonanza, and many politicians leapt

it's not a single source, but certainly media editorialized that into the collective consciousness as an attention-capturing bonanza, and many politicians leapt onto the same opportunity to promote their power, agendas and careers. same for said "experts": a chance to be in the media, and if they were wrong, oh well, that's science.