For the first time ever, the World Health Organization listed “vaccine hesitancy” on its 2019 list of 10 worst global health risks. That list was published in January. Since then
, we have epidemic outbreaks in New York and New Jersey, with Pennsylvania not far behind. The problem is getting worse.
In my early adulthood I supported Rotary International’s efforts to get vaccinations distributed to third world countries. I never imagined that there would be a problem with these old diseases right here at home where vaccines are available and covered by health insurance plans.
Social media outlets that allowed anti-vax propaganda are now being shut down. Crowdfunding platforms like Go Fund Me now disallow these campaigns. Research into the motivations of anti-vax social media posters is underway. Meanwhile
, companies like Facebook realize they may be held legally accountable for the deadly impact of false information spread on their platform.
New research on anti-vax propaganda exploring the motivations of those who post propagande was published two days ago. Most anti-vax propaganda appears to be attributable to ‘social media ignorance mindset’; a situation with which we are all too familiar. However, even with this limited data, we cannot dismiss the possibility that not all propagandists are driven by ignorance or exercise of free speech rights. There might be more sinister motivations.
Some, maybe most, scientists believe that the planet is overpopulated with humans Past the point of sustainability. If so, some mechanism of depopulation is in our future. It seems logical to conclude that bad actors taking advantage of health propaganda would have an open path toward this end.
Child vaccinations are covered by health plans for good reason. Unfortunately, parental ignorance or the requirement to do the right thing is not covered. Freedom Benefits has long supported the rights of individuals to make their own health decisions including the right to make bad decisions. However, our support does not extend to the right to transfer the pain, cost or suffering of your poor decision to another person.