It’s not a matter of what people have lost trust in but of where they DO place their trust. When people kill each other over whose ancient holy book is better than anyone else’s ancient holy book, ignoring science is a simple matter. I’ve given up trying to understand what flaw in the generic human mind allows it to happen.
So, some idiot posted on the internet that vaccines lead to autism and these idiot parents believed it. Following that line of thought, why do these same parents feed their kids preservatives and growth hormones? I took a nutrition course in the 70’s and learned that these 2 items are precursors for ADD and Autism. Gee, I guess we were wrong. It was the vaccines against deadly diseases like measles, polio and the like. Silly us.
People who take medical advice from dim-witted wannabe “celebrities” like Jenny McCarthy deserve to die of preventable diseases. The sad thing is that they’re putting their children at risk.
You are right to blame science. Science told us for years that mercury, in any amount, is harmful. The EPA regulated mercury out of most products. CFC bulbs are labeled with warnings about mercury. Then parents find out vaccines are delivered in a Thimerasol solution, which contains (trace amounts) of mercury. Sure, you can explain LD50 amounts and such to a scientist, but to some parents who are legitimately weighing the cost/benefit of vaccination, the very slight chance of severe harm from the vaccination now outweighs the risk of the diseases that had been “eradicated”. We decided to go ahead and vaccinate our kids, but not until they were 5 years old – no infant vaccinations. I had mumps, chicken pox, and hong kong flu as a kid and turned out fine, so it’s not as if these are high mortality diseases. I did recently get a shingles vaccination since I did have chicken pox, but I never get a flu shot since I am pretty healthy and get sick on average only once per year (even though I am supposed to have a compromised immune system from chemo).Forcing parents to vaccinate is the wrong approach. Better education is the right approach. Take a little time to understand the parents concerns, and counter them with facts.
i’m an anti-vaxxer. your argument that I need to be slapped and i’m stupid is used only by those who are incapable of a coherent discussion. the reason parents don’t understand is science’s fault, not the parents’, assuming there is something genuinely scientific involved
You don’t vaccinate for you: you do it for the newborn who can’t be protected yet and who is particularly vulnerable. For the patients on chemo. And then for the personal satisfaction that you know you will never be the cause of someone else’s preventable suffering and even death and the grief of their families that way. You do it because you’re a decent human being who cares about other people, to be able to look yourself in the eye in the mirror. Not to mention, my parents would have given anything for me to have been able to get a mumps vaccine—there wasn’t one yet when that disease permanently cost me part of my hearing as a little kid. I don’t get why resentment that people working for a corporation earn a living means that some people are willing to make others die to show those corporations just who’s boss. Get the shots. It’s not hard. It’s the right thing to do. Choosing kindness and compassion makes you a better person.
ToonGuy300 almost 5 years ago
Was that little split on RJ’s “I don’t understand” intentional or…
hariseldon59 almost 5 years ago
Not surprising we have a President who’s once again requesting deep cuts in the federal budget for science funding.
pschearer Premium Member almost 5 years ago
It’s not a matter of what people have lost trust in but of where they DO place their trust. When people kill each other over whose ancient holy book is better than anyone else’s ancient holy book, ignoring science is a simple matter. I’ve given up trying to understand what flaw in the generic human mind allows it to happen.
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member almost 5 years ago
education is the inoculation against ignorance. Unfortunately, there is no inoculation against stupidity.
Tue Elung-Jensen almost 5 years ago
Too many chefs spoil the broth. Basicly there is too much information available that some people can’t differ between actual and fake info.
Mary Ann Jones Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Well put and clearly said!
Plods with ...™ almost 5 years ago
Lovin’ this arc
the lost wizard almost 5 years ago
For a strip that believes a hyperactive squirrel can cure most things this is pretty moralistic.
asmbeers almost 5 years ago
Well, to be honest, we have few real parents these days.
Smokie almost 5 years ago
So, some idiot posted on the internet that vaccines lead to autism and these idiot parents believed it. Following that line of thought, why do these same parents feed their kids preservatives and growth hormones? I took a nutrition course in the 70’s and learned that these 2 items are precursors for ADD and Autism. Gee, I guess we were wrong. It was the vaccines against deadly diseases like measles, polio and the like. Silly us.
logophiles almost 5 years ago
Stick to jokes. Leave politics alone. You’ve alienated half your readership.
The Real Zarth Arn almost 5 years ago
People who take medical advice from dim-witted wannabe “celebrities” like Jenny McCarthy deserve to die of preventable diseases. The sad thing is that they’re putting their children at risk.
Daniel Jacobson almost 5 years ago
There are doctors who will push medicines, because drug companies give them kickbacks. Oh, and one way the body adjusts, is something, called “dying.”
ejavon almost 5 years ago
You are right to blame science. Science told us for years that mercury, in any amount, is harmful. The EPA regulated mercury out of most products. CFC bulbs are labeled with warnings about mercury. Then parents find out vaccines are delivered in a Thimerasol solution, which contains (trace amounts) of mercury. Sure, you can explain LD50 amounts and such to a scientist, but to some parents who are legitimately weighing the cost/benefit of vaccination, the very slight chance of severe harm from the vaccination now outweighs the risk of the diseases that had been “eradicated”. We decided to go ahead and vaccinate our kids, but not until they were 5 years old – no infant vaccinations. I had mumps, chicken pox, and hong kong flu as a kid and turned out fine, so it’s not as if these are high mortality diseases. I did recently get a shingles vaccination since I did have chicken pox, but I never get a flu shot since I am pretty healthy and get sick on average only once per year (even though I am supposed to have a compromised immune system from chemo).Forcing parents to vaccinate is the wrong approach. Better education is the right approach. Take a little time to understand the parents concerns, and counter them with facts.
poopsypoo Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Ok, I trusted out pediatrician! He took great care of my sweet little man…now 39!
Dave almost 5 years ago
i’m an anti-vaxxer. your argument that I need to be slapped and i’m stupid is used only by those who are incapable of a coherent discussion. the reason parents don’t understand is science’s fault, not the parents’, assuming there is something genuinely scientific involved
Madzdad the bard almost 5 years ago
What if the actual conspiracy is that Russian or Chinese trolls advocate for non-vaccination as a plot to destabilize democracies through illness?
amaryllis2 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
You don’t vaccinate for you: you do it for the newborn who can’t be protected yet and who is particularly vulnerable. For the patients on chemo. And then for the personal satisfaction that you know you will never be the cause of someone else’s preventable suffering and even death and the grief of their families that way. You do it because you’re a decent human being who cares about other people, to be able to look yourself in the eye in the mirror. Not to mention, my parents would have given anything for me to have been able to get a mumps vaccine—there wasn’t one yet when that disease permanently cost me part of my hearing as a little kid. I don’t get why resentment that people working for a corporation earn a living means that some people are willing to make others die to show those corporations just who’s boss. Get the shots. It’s not hard. It’s the right thing to do. Choosing kindness and compassion makes you a better person.