H1N1 vaccine raises opposition
The question of “Whom do you trust?” has become a basic one for many Americans as they deliberate whether they should get a vaccination to fight the H1Ni virus, or swine flu, as evidenced by the question being front-and-center on Thursday evening’s AC360. Arguments pro and con were put forth by Lorna Patterson, a New York nurse who has sued to NOT get the vaccine, and Dr.Jjose Rodriguez, who advocates it.
The biggest question for many Americans is whether they trust their government enough for each of them to get the vaccine, and, secondary to that, whether the vaccine is adequate to fight the flu, or whether it would be worse than taking chances with the disease itself. Adding to the mistrust is the question itself of just hope widespread the disease is, and whether any preventative action is truly warranted.
So how did we arrive here? A mistrust of government is near the top, but notably, Canadians are just as distrustful of their government, as supported by bias against the vaccine, as Americans are. Part of the groundswell against the vaccine stems from an active movement organized within the United States, supported by conservative talk radio hosts, that has spilled across the border. Additionally, established leftists such as comedian Bill Maher has spoken out against the vaccine, spreading it across the political spectrum.
Most interesting to note is that even though we readily see the existence of this debate, we truly do not know where to land on it. Support or opposition to the H1N1 vaccine rests on the question of “Whom do you trust?” Yet for many of us, we do not know. – George Curcio
The News Machine
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