Scientists themselves have played a role in spreading this misinformation, partly via the “file drawer problem” in which experimental results that support the preferred narrative are publicized and promoted, while those that disconfirm the narrative are downplayed or ignored.
There are also some deep systemic problems with using statistics to determine public policy, even when they are not distorted in any way.
At the end of the day they can be used to justify Communism, fascism, or any other ideology designed to crush the liberty of individual people.
However, I think there is also a multitude of "pretend scientists" in the main stream media whose primary role is to provide an echo chamber to pound the "pseudo science" political propaganda out to the naive public.
And finally, I am convinced there are a number of (maybe) real scientists (Dr. Anthony Fauci comes to mind) who may in fact have their own ideological agenda and willingness to misrepresent the whole truth, and thus perpetrate the misinformation.