@Jed Rothwell Does patronizing other people make you feel better about yourself???
I have been immersed in the scientific literature since the start of the pandemic and have the Ph.D. and the scientific research background to understand exactly what I am reading and studying in the medical journals (this is literally what I do for a living!). I am not confusing two events. You might not like the term "gaslighting," so call it PR instead, if that makes you feel better. The government does "spin" their message for consumption by the masses (half of which are, obviously, below average IQ). The role of the government isn't to provide full and honest disclosure of all of the facts to the public. I do not look to the government to tell me what the scientific literature says -- I read the literature for myself and then notice how the government is spinning the truth to their perceived advantage (or what they perceive is best, or most palatable, for the public). I access the government data directly from the CDC website and other places and analyze it for myself, along with keeping up with the scientific literature. Prior to omicron, breakthrough cases were constantly referred to as "rare," which gave many people a false security. Yes, omicron is more immune evasive and the rate of breakthrough cases is even higher now. But breakthrough cases were still far more common before omicron than most people realize.