with fondness.
Today, growing concern for the children’s well being rules the scene.
A recent vaccine related study commissioned by the American Osteopathic Association shows a growing awareness by parents of the lack of honest discussion regarding vaccine safety while the medical community continues to take the long way around the barn to join the discussion.
Why would that be? Why would scientists reject dialogue in favor of patronized preaching? The AOA says it’s all in our head.
The spread of negative attitudes towards vaccines is a phenomenon deeply rooted in human psychology and amplified by social media, according to perinatal psychiatrist Rachel Shmuts, DO.
“From an evolutionary perspective, humans are primed to pay attention to threats or negative information,” she says. “So it makes sense that people hold onto fears that vaccines are harmful, especially when they believe their children are in danger.”
And especially when there are pharmaceutical scientists asking questions but getting no answers.
I’m not scientist level smart so I have to struggle to understand this scientist’s thinking:
“Some diseases, like measles, require as much as 95% of the population to be vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity,” says osteopathic family physician Paul Ehrmann, DO. “Our practice considers itself a steward of public health, so we do not take new patients who refuse to vaccinate.”
Dr. Ehrmann explains that herd immunity is essential to maintain because some people cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions, including allergies, illness or a weakened immune system. Keeping the rest of the population vaccinated protects those who are vulnerable.
“People know that a lot of practices won’t accept patients who don’t vaccinate, so when they find one that will, they spread the word to their community that it’s a safe place. Whether intentional or not, those doctors are often seen as endorsing anti-vaxxer beliefs,” Dr. Ehrmann said.
Say I walk into Dr. Ehrmanns office full of sneezing and coughing invaders. Scratch that. Invaders don’t cross the border with an up-to-date shot card. Fuhget that.
Say I walk into Dr. Ehrmanns office full of sneezing and coughing school administrators and gummint workers who were vaccinated with the wrong flu vaccine two months prior and I’m not vaccinated. I’m just there to deliver a box of anniversary chocolates to his Tamiflu guzzling but still seasonally vaccinated receptionist.
Whose in danger there? I don’t get the ‘stewards’ concern; I think it smacks of fakery.
A sinister fakery, too. Doctor Shmuts can explain confirmation bias until she’s blue in the face; I’d like to hear her explain viral delivery systems that counters Amazing Polly’s POV.