Some of these people are not the brightest bulb in the room regardless of how many degrees they have.
May have told this story a few years ago. Back in the 80s when AIDS was running rampant, I was in the CDC headquarters building in Atlanta. Me and a friend were in an elevator with the head of the CDC at the time and about 3 of his top aids. They were discussing AIDS. One of the aides made the comment that AIDS could be, and would be transmitted by such things as doorknobs.
Doors opened and they got off. Me and my friend just looked at each other.