> * Lying about the efficacy of masks: Again, not sure what lie you're referring to. Masking was a rational response to an unknown virus. Since covid is a highl

> * Lying about the efficacy of masks: Again, not sure what lie you're referring to. Masking was a rational response to an unknown virus. Since covid is a highly contagious respiratory disease, too much masking is certainly better than not enough masking. During the first few months of the pandemic the CDC, as well as various media commentators, stated that masks were not an effective measure. The advice was based on decades-old studies that established the "air-borne" vs "not air-borne" dichotomy, according to which COVID was not air-borne and thus masks were unnecessary. But the advice was also motivated by a desire to prevent a run on masks, which were in short supply and already being rationed in healthcare settings. Saying they lied is a stretch, but they were quite intransigent about it even as evidence piled up supporting masking efficacy. This history eventually became one kernel truth justifying a lot of anti-CDC, anti-institutional medicine rhetoric. Though that rhetoric existed before the incorporation of this history into their narrative, and of course the broader movement was always against masking, anyhow, so it's kind of inconsistent logically, but consistency isn't that important when it comes to politics.