Antivaxxers And The Politics Of Finding A Cure For COVID-19 DMT.NEWS - DMT NEWS

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Antivaxxers And The Politics Of Finding A Cure For COVID-19 DMT.NEWS


Article by WN.Com Correspondent Dallas Darling

Of all the lifesaving medical science and public-health advancements, immunization stands at the absolute pinnacle. In addition to eradicating smallpox and other infectious viruses-and nearly polio, the impact of immunization for measles which killed 200 million children in the last century alone is a stunning example of vaccine success.

You would not know this by the Antivaxxer Movement. Nor would learn that millions of people are saved each year by vaccines for seasonal influenza and potential large-scale global pandemics, like COVID-19 with its deadly influenza strains. If or when a vaccine is ever discovered, it will save millions of lives and reduce many political, social, and economic catastrophes.

Antivaxxers: Origins and Effects

The Antivaxxer Movement started in 1998 when British doctor Andrew Wakefield reported in the highly respected medical journal “The Lancet” about a link between autism and the measles vaccine. The article generated extensive coverage and fear, followed by more aggressive follow-up reports. Measles and immunization rates plummeted around the world, killing many.

Wakefield’s study fell apart in 2004 when Brian Deer exposed his paper as woefully lacking any scientific basis. He had also taken substantial payments from lawyers who stood to gain from autism-related claims. (1) These revelations set off a chain reaction that found his study to be the most damaging medical hoax of the last 100 years. Wakefield was delicensed for medical fraud.

Deceptions about pandemics seldom go away. Nor do conspiracies, another challenge in finding a vaccine for COVID-19.

While some conspirators are truly genuine, others will want to make a name for themselves or profit from discounting the virus. The vaccine will either have fatal side-effects, be a mind control experiment, or a way for the government to implant microchips.

Many are hoping for cure, but not Antivaxxers. They are coordinating a massive information warfare campaign aimed at convincing millions of Americans to forgo the eventual vaccine. Their campaign has a good chance at succeeding, since the Center of Disease Control and W.H.O. cannot respond to their media manipulators and the exploitation of social media platforms.

Arguments not to get vaccinated impact other vaccinations. The Antivaxxers that attended anti-lockdown protests across America were able to also spread their message. Since then, states have suffered from a sharp drop in child vaccinations. The Center of Disease Control have had to even step in, warning parents that skipping shots could lead to a resurgence in measles.

Mandates, Rights, and “Vaccine Nationalism”

One of the biggest obstacles will be if the government mandates COVID-19 vaccinations. More than likely they will. It is a key to reopening economies and essential in stemming the spread of the disease. Some will argue that “vaccine compliance” infringes on individual liberties and is intrusive. Others will oppose vaccinations on the bases of cultural or religious beliefs.

The debate over parental rights versus state power will be another hurdle. If a parent or parents refuses to vaccinate a child, does the state have the responsibility to vaccinate the child or to confine the parents until they comply? And if a child is not vaccinated, will they still be allowed to attend public school or face public shaming and discrimination?

“Vaccine nationalism” is another challenge. This is when a country refuses to vaccinate its people. Global health experts are already encouraging nations to cooperate and ensure equitable and universal access to the treatments created to battle the deadly outbreak. If a nation refuses the vaccine, should the vaccine be imposed? Or should it be sanctioned or have travel bans?

The W.H.O. just warned that the coronavirus is putting tens of millions of children’s lives at risk by disrupting routine immunization programs. Along with disrupting vaccination programs, killer diseases like diphtheria and measles are rising at alarming rates. The rise of nationalism is adding to this crisis, which includes either allocating or withholding money and resources.

During a crisis, some leaders seek opportunism. President Donald Trump supports protests across America against the state’s public health orders which were backed by anti-government extremists and Antivaxxers.

Several of them carried posters calling for the execution of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s senior immunologist. This too is another challenge.

Operation “Warped” Speed and the Greatest Challenge

Veteran epidemiologists warn that rushing a vaccine for political purposes could backfire horrifically. This includes Operation Warp Speed, President Trump’s plan to get a cure as soon as possible.

Without proper testing and long-term studies which may last several years, thousands could needlessly die. And then there are the guinea pigs: who will be the human test subjects?

The evolution of vaccine development reveals that each lot of certain vaccines requires sophisticated testing to ensure that no live virus remains. In the case of polio, rushing to produce the vaccine caused the Cutter Laboratories to overlook viral research. The lab also failed to detect live virus in multiple lots. The result was the Cutter Incident where thousands died.

In a push to produce a vaccine there is always the potential for the virus to mutate, to become more deadly than what it already is. Other challenges will be how the vaccine impacts the human immune system over time, is the vaccine free and if not, who stands to profit, will the vaccine be shared with other countries or weaponized, and will the vaccine be properly safeguarded.

Trust will be the greatest challenge, specifically in nations where the government has repeatedly lied.

In the United States, one-fifth of the people already claim they do not plan to get vaccinated.

These non-compliant rates may be high enough to not only pose a threat to collective immunity but to initiate some type of social unrest if the government mandates the vaccine.

There is also the danger of politically motivated (and paid) scientists. Some suggest this is what happened to the Stanford University study which reported the virus was more widespread and less lethal than feared, and that public health restrictions are too strict. Such studies simply lead to more Antivaxxers and conspiratorial theories about the origins and purpose of the viruses.

Antivaxxers Needed?

For now, it does not appear that the Antivaxxers are going away. Despite the risks, this may be a good sign.

Not only do they have some legitimate concerns and convincing arguments, but with today’s Big Brother, Big Pharma, and Big Tech, the potential for a Dr. Moreau or global plot to socially engineer entire populations is plausible.

Someday very soon, we may need Antivaxxers.

It may be better, then, to start acknowledging some of the real concerns and fears Antivaxxers have. It is true that some vaccines have had problems, including early formulations of certain viruses. It is also true that time and time again, human failings-various mixtures of fear, pride, denial, financial self-interest, and hubris have worsened past epidemics and sought social control.

Once again, trust is critical-in both the ability and competence of the health provider and in the provider’s motivation. In fact, trust and confidence in a vaccine reflects trust and confidence in government.

When that same government is corrupt or has sold out to Big Tech and Big Pharma, or may even be evil in and of itself, to ignore it is to become an accomplice to it.

Dallas Darling (darling@wn.com)

(Dallas Darling is the author of Politics 501: An A-Z Reading on Conscientious Political Thought and Action, Some Nations Above God: 52 Weekly Reflections On Modern-Day Imperialism, Militarism, And Consumerism in the Context of John’s Apocalyptic Vision, and The Other Side Of Christianity: Reflections on Faith, Politics, Spirituality, History, and Peace. He is a correspondent for www.WN.com. You can read more of Dallas’ writings at www.beverlydarling.com and www.WN.com/dallasdarling.)

(1) Quick, Johnathan D. The End of Epidemics. New York, New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2018., p. 167.



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