The sky is blue. The Earth is round. Vaccinations work.
If you’ve got a problem with the first two, you might be colour deficient, or you’re staring at a map. If you’ve got a problem with the third, well, you can pull up a chair and join the loopiest group of conspiracy theorists to rear their misinformed heads in the past decade.
The latest target of the Anti-Vaccination Movement is Julia the Muppet, who was recently announced as Sesame Street’s first resident with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Julia joins the legendary show’s already super-inclusive cast, but anti-vaxxers – who cling to the very, very disproven belief that vaccines can cause autism – claim her character sets a dangerous precedent by normalising the condition.
Thankfully, some cooler heads prevailed, and it’s apparent that users are very close to friends and family with an ASD. Still, being part of a group spreads hate on a Muppet is not on.