Re-Packaging a Virologist As An Anti-Vaxxer

David LV Bauer is Head of RNA Virus Replication at the prestigious Francis Crick Institute in London. He reports being 'shocked' that his work has been hijacked by antivaxxers (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/07/virologist-work-anti-vaxxers-covid). Bauer complains that a news interview, where he talked about Covid19 and vaccine, was 're-edited and misquoted by online conspiracy theorists'. He shouldn't, however, be too shocked. Conspiracy theorists 'bend' information to fit their world view. They are also well-used (as are some other groups) to modifying and selectively quoting electronic communications. Victims of their 'misinformatics' need to have this clearly pointed out. Providing clear examples can be helpful. The trick (if there is one), is not to make the distorting too easy for them. Unfortunately, this means that anyone who is interviewed, needs to carefully watch their wording. Don't have any long sentences, where qualifying phrases can be easily edited out. Even that, however, will not stop a keen conspiracy theorist. I am afraid that people, interviewed by the media, have to subsequently be responsible for checking how their material is being used. Bauer is eminently clear in his messaging. His advice is to get the vaccine.