Which is precisely why you will never hear me utter that phrase....but....when I see things that absolutely contradict known science, I "will" post the counter data if I have it.
As you say, the development of "herd immunity" is essential in the absence of a vaccine, and we have to do it. Use of masks, distancing, and good hand/face hygiene allow us some degree of control over how fast that happens. For the COVID, we had NO previous data on how it might behave. Now we do. From the newer information, we now know that the COVID "is" wildly contagious, but not nearly as lethal as was first feared, though bad enough.
"In my opinion", I'd like to see a new "mask meme" take root...."if you have cold or flu symptoms, even very slight...wear a mask if you can't stay home". This would save lives just during regular flu season for flu variants we have no vaccines for, and protect vulnerable groups (who should ALSO be wearing masks). Not because the government mandates it, but because it IS "the right thing to do".
“As you say, the development of “herd immunity” is essential in the absence of a vaccine, and we have to do it. ”
Great, but I think you are still missing my point:
Wearing of masks and social distancing among the healthy 85% of the population may actually be counterproductive to the natural process of developing herd immunity.
“...when I see things that absolutely contradict known science...”
The phrase “known science” is no better than “settled science”. Science is all about questioning - there is never a point where scientists stop questioning and say “There, it’s settled....now we know.” If someone is talking like that - he ain’t a scientist.
The jury is out on the matter of natural immunity vs. vaccines - and the anti-vaccine crowd isn’t a bunch of superstitious wackos - there is plenty of science on both sides.
One thing the anti-vaccine side doesn’t have is a profit motive. All the $$$$ incentives are with the pro-vaccine lobby, because you can take out a patent on a vaccine.