After going back and forth and giving Claire's article some thought something I feel that needs to be pointed out is long before social media say pre 2007 large elements of the mainstream media frequently trafficked in anti-vaccine propaganda. Does anyone remember the Don Imus show on MSNBC? And Don Imus was far from the only one. Yet today MSNBC and NBC News are considered the flagship of the anti Trump resistance with hero-worshipping of the likes of Stephanie Ruhl, Nicole Wallace, Rachel Maddow, and Larry O'Donnell yet it was NBC that was largely responsible for rehabilitating Donald Trump's image as a failed businessperson in the years between 2000 and 2010. In fact the same exact individual NBC executives promoted Donald Trump's Apprentice TV show, allowed Don Imus to spout anti-vaccer theories on air and going further back covered up the sexual misconduct of Bill Cosby in the late 1980s/early 1990s.
Claire, you are uncommonly brave for continuing to dissect this (waves hands around in the air) in such a logical and rational manner. Thank you.
Here in Switzerland, my head exploded again yesterday at this front-page headline in the "NZZ am Sonntag" (initially welcomed as a Sunday dose of the excellent Neue Zürcher Zeitung, but sadly gone the way of the Sunday tabloid): "Not many teenagers want to get vaccinated against Corona" with the helpful subhead pointing out "Less than 10% of 12- to 15-year-olds have registered for a vaccination so far."
Well. The federal authorities approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for the 12-15 age group on June 4. The Moderna vaccine is not approved for under-16. These are the two vaccines in use in Switzerland (A third, Johnson&Johnson, was approved, but Switzerland didn't order or buy any of that one.) It was another 10 days to two weeks before the cantons managed to update their registration platforms to allow people under 16 to be registered. I know this because I live with a 14-year-old who is at least impatient as I am.
Nowhere in this piece of hard-hitting journalism is it mentioned that 12- to 15-year-olds are highly unlikely to register themselves for a vaccine appointment. Since when do 12- to 15-year-olds act autonomously and take their own decisions? Not even in this direct democratic paradise of individual responsibility is that possible. The selected vaccine centers are not easy to reach, and several cantons explicitly require under-16s to have written permission from a parent or guardian. No, it is instead posited that those young folk don't find it necessary since infection numbers are low and restrictions are being relaxed.
Sigh. It's the parents. They are too busy to bother, since it's now summer vacation and the kids have to be kept busy somehow. Or, see above, numbers are low, etc. Or– another wild theory put forth by the so-called NZZaS journalist– it's not clear whether the federal government really recommends the vaccine for all 12-15s or only those with a chronic illness. Or, what I most fear, the response I have heard from many (vaccinated) friends and acquaintances: "No way am I letting my child get that stuff injected!"
It's all so tiresome, and tiring. Frankly I am more worried about the potential effects of Long Covid than the potential long-term side effects of a vaccine. My 14-year-old is, physically, closer to adulthood than childhood. Why would you not want to afford your child the same protection that you have? And why is the allegedly "liberal intellectual" media in German-speaking Switzerland writing such rubbish? (yes, I've asked, and wait eagerly for a reply)
I registered the manboy in two cantons, since we live on a border, and apparently a new shipment of Pfizer dropped last weekend because we were offered appointments in both venues. He's getting his first shot tomorrow and is relieved that he is catching up with his American cousins. Whom we will be able to visit again one day, maybe soon.
Another excellent piece. I would love to hear you debate Dennis Prager, and I hope you will be back on Uncommon Knowledge again to discuss these important issues. Some people, of course, are immune to the effects of logic, but your reasoned approach no doubt has and will continue to save lives as we move forward. Thank you.
After going back and forth and giving Claire's article some thought something I feel that needs to be pointed out is long before social media say pre 2007 large elements of the mainstream media frequently trafficked in anti-vaccine propaganda. Does anyone remember the Don Imus show on MSNBC? And Don Imus was far from the only one. Yet today MSNBC and NBC News are considered the flagship of the anti Trump resistance with hero-worshipping of the likes of Stephanie Ruhl, Nicole Wallace, Rachel Maddow, and Larry O'Donnell yet it was NBC that was largely responsible for rehabilitating Donald Trump's image as a failed businessperson in the years between 2000 and 2010. In fact the same exact individual NBC executives promoted Donald Trump's Apprentice TV show, allowed Don Imus to spout anti-vaccer theories on air and going further back covered up the sexual misconduct of Bill Cosby in the late 1980s/early 1990s.
Claire, you are uncommonly brave for continuing to dissect this (waves hands around in the air) in such a logical and rational manner. Thank you.
Here in Switzerland, my head exploded again yesterday at this front-page headline in the "NZZ am Sonntag" (initially welcomed as a Sunday dose of the excellent Neue Zürcher Zeitung, but sadly gone the way of the Sunday tabloid): "Not many teenagers want to get vaccinated against Corona" with the helpful subhead pointing out "Less than 10% of 12- to 15-year-olds have registered for a vaccination so far."
Well. The federal authorities approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for the 12-15 age group on June 4. The Moderna vaccine is not approved for under-16. These are the two vaccines in use in Switzerland (A third, Johnson&Johnson, was approved, but Switzerland didn't order or buy any of that one.) It was another 10 days to two weeks before the cantons managed to update their registration platforms to allow people under 16 to be registered. I know this because I live with a 14-year-old who is at least impatient as I am.
Nowhere in this piece of hard-hitting journalism is it mentioned that 12- to 15-year-olds are highly unlikely to register themselves for a vaccine appointment. Since when do 12- to 15-year-olds act autonomously and take their own decisions? Not even in this direct democratic paradise of individual responsibility is that possible. The selected vaccine centers are not easy to reach, and several cantons explicitly require under-16s to have written permission from a parent or guardian. No, it is instead posited that those young folk don't find it necessary since infection numbers are low and restrictions are being relaxed.
Sigh. It's the parents. They are too busy to bother, since it's now summer vacation and the kids have to be kept busy somehow. Or, see above, numbers are low, etc. Or– another wild theory put forth by the so-called NZZaS journalist– it's not clear whether the federal government really recommends the vaccine for all 12-15s or only those with a chronic illness. Or, what I most fear, the response I have heard from many (vaccinated) friends and acquaintances: "No way am I letting my child get that stuff injected!"
It's all so tiresome, and tiring. Frankly I am more worried about the potential effects of Long Covid than the potential long-term side effects of a vaccine. My 14-year-old is, physically, closer to adulthood than childhood. Why would you not want to afford your child the same protection that you have? And why is the allegedly "liberal intellectual" media in German-speaking Switzerland writing such rubbish? (yes, I've asked, and wait eagerly for a reply)
I registered the manboy in two cantons, since we live on a border, and apparently a new shipment of Pfizer dropped last weekend because we were offered appointments in both venues. He's getting his first shot tomorrow and is relieved that he is catching up with his American cousins. Whom we will be able to visit again one day, maybe soon.
Give Joe Rogan a chance. He’s fair to his guests, has an enormous audience, and provides the gangia. It’s a win-win.
Claire,
I hope this isn't making you so aggravated that you are pulling your hair out.
I would certainly understand if you did.
It appears the physical pods of the matrix are not really necessary. All they have to do is make sure everyone has a smart phone.
Another excellent piece. I would love to hear you debate Dennis Prager, and I hope you will be back on Uncommon Knowledge again to discuss these important issues. Some people, of course, are immune to the effects of logic, but your reasoned approach no doubt has and will continue to save lives as we move forward. Thank you.