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Published On: Apr 26, 2006 10:02 PM
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Published On: Apr 26, 2006 10:02 PM
Immunization for Hypocrisy?
Before I get started, this isn't about anybody I
know in particular. It's a general
observation.
Caught the news lately? Talked to anyone at all? Ahh, then you know about the shortage of the flu vaccine. That means I don't have to give a short synopsis about how one of the two factories that the US usually gets their supply from was shut down, which cut the supply in half. it also means you've seen people moaning and beating their breasts, probably know that people are heading to Canada to get their shots (no shortage there), know all about what each candidate has said about how this reflects problems with the other's health plan, and all about how old people standing in line for a shot have collapsed and died.
So that's everything I don't have to tell you. :)
Now, I'd like to ask everyone to think back one year. Or five. Or ten. Any year in recent history, since the general release of the flu shot. Got that mental image? Now, add sound. What do you mostly hear? If you're like me, it's statements like "I don't get the flu shot anymore; it just makes me sick."
Now compare that with this year. What do you hear now? "I have a fundamental right to a flu shot to keep me from dying! It's not fair!"
Granted, this isn't universal. There are people who've always gotten their flu shots, and there are people who are happily going along their merry way without a flu shot this year.
Am I wrong in this assessment? And if I'm not, then why do you think this is?
Maybe we're just spoiled, and like not the idea of getting the flu shot, but rather being able to get it, like a kid who begs for a toy and then never plays with it. Or maybe we're still so wired about the possibility of terrorism that we're willing to grasp onto anything that might protect our lives. Maybe it's a little of both.
Maybe (just for the sake of looking at all possible outcomes) there has been a fundamental change since last year in how we view influenza vaccinations. Can't see why that would have happened, but maybe so, anyway.
I'm leaning toward the "spoiled" theory. That's just how I view it. And I find it highly hypocritical to whine about something when you have it, and bemoan its loss when it's gone. Anyway, let me know how you view it.
Caught the news lately? Talked to anyone at all? Ahh, then you know about the shortage of the flu vaccine. That means I don't have to give a short synopsis about how one of the two factories that the US usually gets their supply from was shut down, which cut the supply in half. it also means you've seen people moaning and beating their breasts, probably know that people are heading to Canada to get their shots (no shortage there), know all about what each candidate has said about how this reflects problems with the other's health plan, and all about how old people standing in line for a shot have collapsed and died.
So that's everything I don't have to tell you. :)
Now, I'd like to ask everyone to think back one year. Or five. Or ten. Any year in recent history, since the general release of the flu shot. Got that mental image? Now, add sound. What do you mostly hear? If you're like me, it's statements like "I don't get the flu shot anymore; it just makes me sick."
Now compare that with this year. What do you hear now? "I have a fundamental right to a flu shot to keep me from dying! It's not fair!"
Granted, this isn't universal. There are people who've always gotten their flu shots, and there are people who are happily going along their merry way without a flu shot this year.
Am I wrong in this assessment? And if I'm not, then why do you think this is?
Maybe we're just spoiled, and like not the idea of getting the flu shot, but rather being able to get it, like a kid who begs for a toy and then never plays with it. Or maybe we're still so wired about the possibility of terrorism that we're willing to grasp onto anything that might protect our lives. Maybe it's a little of both.
Maybe (just for the sake of looking at all possible outcomes) there has been a fundamental change since last year in how we view influenza vaccinations. Can't see why that would have happened, but maybe so, anyway.
I'm leaning toward the "spoiled" theory. That's just how I view it. And I find it highly hypocritical to whine about something when you have it, and bemoan its loss when it's gone. Anyway, let me know how you view it.
Posted: Thu - October 21, 2004 at 09:27 PM