I have to agree here about good intentions when it comes to preventing infectious diseases. Often we are contagious long before we show symptoms of illness and end up spreading sickness unknowingly.
We are living in an age where we have the luxury of deciding to vaccinate or not to vaccinate. But that's only because of the decades of vigilant vaccination campaigns that came before that eradicated these horrible diseases. Measles was almost gone and then the Wakefield 'study' showed up.
This is about the greater good vs. the individual. Of course we are going to pay special care with our family members' health but what about the health of the rest of the world? Disease spreads at an unbelievable rate on our one-world planet. I would hate to be the parent who didn't vaccinate whose kid showed up with measles at 4 who came into contact with the 9 month old (who isn't old enough to get an MMR) who subsequently died of measles.
We all live in this world. We all reap the benefits and deal with the consequences of our involvement (or non-involvement). I just happen to believe that it's my responsibility to look out for the rest of 'em as much as I do myself and mine.
That's what I find interesting about this. I'd be willing to bet that the majority of the non-vaccinating parents are liberal and relatively educated. I usually associate those traits with a greater understanding of the interconnectivity of the universe and a sense of responsibility for others. It's so fascinating that this mistrust of government and capitalism will lead people to abandon these values.
All that said, I'm fine with delayed schedules and appreciate parents who take time to educate themselves on this issue. I just fear there is a glut of really bad science being touted as truth that is going to harm a lot of well-meaning folks.
no subject
We are living in an age where we have the luxury of deciding to vaccinate or not to vaccinate. But that's only because of the decades of vigilant vaccination campaigns that came before that eradicated these horrible diseases. Measles was almost gone and then the Wakefield 'study' showed up.
This is about the greater good vs. the individual. Of course we are going to pay special care with our family members' health but what about the health of the rest of the world? Disease spreads at an unbelievable rate on our one-world planet. I would hate to be the parent who didn't vaccinate whose kid showed up with measles at 4 who came into contact with the 9 month old (who isn't old enough to get an MMR) who subsequently died of measles.
We all live in this world. We all reap the benefits and deal with the consequences of our involvement (or non-involvement). I just happen to believe that it's my responsibility to look out for the rest of 'em as much as I do myself and mine.
That's what I find interesting about this. I'd be willing to bet that the majority of the non-vaccinating parents are liberal and relatively educated. I usually associate those traits with a greater understanding of the interconnectivity of the universe and a sense of responsibility for others. It's so fascinating that this mistrust of government and capitalism will lead people to abandon these values.
All that said, I'm fine with delayed schedules and appreciate parents who take time to educate themselves on this issue. I just fear there is a glut of really bad science being touted as truth that is going to harm a lot of well-meaning folks.