There are many aspects in what you have written to which I intend to give some thought. An aspect that stands out immediately is vaccine hesitancy. You list some factors associated with vaccine hesitancy, including a desire to avoid "chemicals", and a scepticism about the intentions both of national government and of pharmaceutical companies ("big pharma"). I have lived as a strict vegan for more than thirty years. I have a sufficient preference for fresh food grown without the use of industrially-manufactured herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers (i.e. "organic") that we grow as much of our own fruit and as many of our own vegetables as I am able (a substantial commitment), all chemical-free. On the other hand, I take three types of medication daily, without which I might not still be alive. My wife takes four; and our daughter takes seven types of medication several times each day, without which she would have died many years ago. I have a healthy (democratic) scepticism regarding the true nature and purposes, including often-hidden agendas, of national governments. However, I recognise that without a state, anarchy would benefit only warlords and organised crime (Somalia, Haiti). I believe that the primary purpose of all pharmaceutical companies is to make money for their shareholders, and if there is no prospect of money to be made, then there is little prospect of the drug being developed and manufactured. On the other hand, the medications and vaccines that are produced are life-saving and world-changing. I wish that the MMR vaccine had been available when I was an infant. When I was given my BCG vaccination (now replaced, I believe), TB was still very much part of social memory (see the movie 'Alfie' (1966), starring Michael Caine).
My point is that there is a functional balance (a "sweet spot", if you will) that lies somewhere between a credulousness that can accompany a wilful ignorance about the world on the one hand (I'm thinking Podsnap in 'Our Mutual Friend' by Charles Dickens), and on the other hand an intense and pervasive scepticism that can accompany a refusal to accept the complexity of medicine, science and the world.
I have a strong affinity for some of the underlying factors that lead some people to vaccine hesitancy. However, I also have a reasonably clear image about what our world would look like should those factors be allowed to reign unchecked. By means of education (informing myself as widely as possible), I do my best to locate a functional balance-point between credulity and scepticism. Rather than attending to the views of celebrities and sports people, I have a strong preference to listen to what trained, qualified people ("experts") have to say. Probably significantly, I do not use social media.
It is a pity that drug companies are not developing vaccines, that charities are having to fund the development of vaccines due to the lack of government funding.
It is shocking that people listen to Anti-Vaxxers.
Thankyou for your thoughtful message. Your careful consideration just shows exactly why you can never make generalisations and understanding where people’s concerns and values are is so vital to understand
Members of my family had all the vaccinations they could have for Covid. Now however, more than 18 months after the last vaccinations there seems no urgency for them to get a booster even though I’ve saved money for them to have them. I’m not sure why they don’t seem bothered unless it’s the lack of communication from the Government and the media has gone off the boil. I think they see me as being over the top because my husband and I still mask in crowded indoor spaces. We had Covid in January/February 2022. At one time they were happy for me to update them with the information I gained from Independent Sage. My daughter said that the cold she had after Covid in October 2023 was much worse than the Covid infection. She doesn’t seem too concerned about it being a vascular disease and the potential for it to impact organs. Sadly the attitude means that my grandchildren are going unvaccinated.
What a helpful piece of writing. Thank you.
There are many aspects in what you have written to which I intend to give some thought. An aspect that stands out immediately is vaccine hesitancy. You list some factors associated with vaccine hesitancy, including a desire to avoid "chemicals", and a scepticism about the intentions both of national government and of pharmaceutical companies ("big pharma"). I have lived as a strict vegan for more than thirty years. I have a sufficient preference for fresh food grown without the use of industrially-manufactured herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers (i.e. "organic") that we grow as much of our own fruit and as many of our own vegetables as I am able (a substantial commitment), all chemical-free. On the other hand, I take three types of medication daily, without which I might not still be alive. My wife takes four; and our daughter takes seven types of medication several times each day, without which she would have died many years ago. I have a healthy (democratic) scepticism regarding the true nature and purposes, including often-hidden agendas, of national governments. However, I recognise that without a state, anarchy would benefit only warlords and organised crime (Somalia, Haiti). I believe that the primary purpose of all pharmaceutical companies is to make money for their shareholders, and if there is no prospect of money to be made, then there is little prospect of the drug being developed and manufactured. On the other hand, the medications and vaccines that are produced are life-saving and world-changing. I wish that the MMR vaccine had been available when I was an infant. When I was given my BCG vaccination (now replaced, I believe), TB was still very much part of social memory (see the movie 'Alfie' (1966), starring Michael Caine).
My point is that there is a functional balance (a "sweet spot", if you will) that lies somewhere between a credulousness that can accompany a wilful ignorance about the world on the one hand (I'm thinking Podsnap in 'Our Mutual Friend' by Charles Dickens), and on the other hand an intense and pervasive scepticism that can accompany a refusal to accept the complexity of medicine, science and the world.
I have a strong affinity for some of the underlying factors that lead some people to vaccine hesitancy. However, I also have a reasonably clear image about what our world would look like should those factors be allowed to reign unchecked. By means of education (informing myself as widely as possible), I do my best to locate a functional balance-point between credulity and scepticism. Rather than attending to the views of celebrities and sports people, I have a strong preference to listen to what trained, qualified people ("experts") have to say. Probably significantly, I do not use social media.
Very glad your brother survived.
It is a pity that drug companies are not developing vaccines, that charities are having to fund the development of vaccines due to the lack of government funding.
It is shocking that people listen to Anti-Vaxxers.
Thankyou for your thoughtful message. Your careful consideration just shows exactly why you can never make generalisations and understanding where people’s concerns and values are is so vital to understand
Members of my family had all the vaccinations they could have for Covid. Now however, more than 18 months after the last vaccinations there seems no urgency for them to get a booster even though I’ve saved money for them to have them. I’m not sure why they don’t seem bothered unless it’s the lack of communication from the Government and the media has gone off the boil. I think they see me as being over the top because my husband and I still mask in crowded indoor spaces. We had Covid in January/February 2022. At one time they were happy for me to update them with the information I gained from Independent Sage. My daughter said that the cold she had after Covid in October 2023 was much worse than the Covid infection. She doesn’t seem too concerned about it being a vascular disease and the potential for it to impact organs. Sadly the attitude means that my grandchildren are going unvaccinated.