The R.F.K. Jr. Effect

A midair collisionAn American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter collided just outside Washington D.C.last night and plunged into the Potomac River.Sixty-four people were on the plane, which was coming from Wichita, Kan., including U.S.

and Russian figure skaters returning from a training camp.The military aircraft carried a crew of three.Emergency responders are searching cold and murky waters for survivors, and Reagan National Airport will be closed until 11 a.m.

See photos and the latest news from the rescue efforts.ImageThe R.F.K.Jr.

effectBy David LeonhardtRobert F.Kennedy Jr.

has a history of calling attention to overlooked public-health problems, whether it’s autism, river pollution, food additives or the toll of Covid school closures.But Kennedy also has a history of backing solutions that are inconsistent with scientific evidence, especially on vaccines.

He has repeatedly made false claims about their effectiveness and their side effects.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe....