It spread because of one or two early studies with falsified data.
Personally, I wish this stuff were more lethal with prolonged usage. I think two people have died, but maybe people would think twice about believing social media if the risk were greater. And if they didn't, well, it's probably good for the survival of the species.
I was remembering the article about Alabama, open raw sewage pits, and worms. A lot of red state residents can't afford proper health care, let alone prescription medication. Depending on the price, this may be helpful for the not-insane parents and farmers.
A relative of mine last week ended up in the hospital because for several months he was "treating" a foot wound (maybe a bad spider bite?) with ivermectin and oils. It never healed then he developed a really awful infection that spread over his whole foot up to his knee.
At this point, I am considering posting disinformation on conservative forums along the lines of "my cousin's friend took an [ld50] dose of aspirin and her covid symptoms completely disappeared within 12 hours."
16 states have proposed or passed legislation that would make ivermectin available over the counter. The intention is to make it much easier for people to get ivermectin and use it for any ailment they believe it can cure. Idaho, Arkansas, and Tennessee have passed laws to make ivermectin available over the counter. On Monday, Louisiana's state legislature passed a bill to do the same, and it now awaits signing by the governor. The other states that have considered or are considering such bills include: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
The problem is, we are losing our choice. The Kennedy/Tr*mp agenda is to replace modern medicine with bible bunkum. Soon, horse paste and bleach may be all we have access to.