Are anti-vaccine people conspiracy theorists generally?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have an old friend from years ago who I now keep in touch with on Facebook. Her posts are fascinating in the amazing variety of conspiracy theories, some outrageous, some maybe partially true. She's a big believer that cannabis oil will cure just about anything and that information of course is being suppressed by the drug companies and the government.

She blames many, if not all, health problems on vaccines. She also subscribes to some disturbing anti-Semitic ideologies, blaming the network of high powered Jews, led by the evil Rothschild family.

I swear, the internet has turned slightly eccentric people into extremists. 30 years ago this woman was into macrobiotics, native Americans, and New Age philosophies.

If you are referring to me I'm the xy type of nude not the xx type.

Oops!

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Another assumption CRUSHED. :dead:

Specializes in Anesthesia.
Oops!

Wow, I just noticed my autocorrect put "nude" instead of Nurse...

Wow, I just noticed my autocorrect put "nude" instead of Nurse...

Lol, I figured. :D

Specializes in Anesthesia.
Lol, I figured. :D

I guess both contextually work, but have totally different symbolic meanings...lol

Specializes in OB.
It's interesting that public health is not at stake apparently when it comes to HIV or even full-blown AIDS.

I have absolutely no clue what you mean by this comment.

And I was the poster who said you're throwing your religious beliefs into the discussion in an illogical way, for what it's worth, not wtbcrna. You stated that HPV could be prevented if people abstained from having sex, as if that should be the sole solution. Most people don't believe in or practice abstinence until marriage, but luckily there are still ways to prevent HPV---the Gardasil vaccine, and condom use---that don't involve imposing sexual repression on others.

And the Duggars??? Really? You're actually defending the beliefs of that family? Are you unaware of the fact that the oldest son sexually abused several of his younger sisters for years, and that the family didn't approach the police about it for several more years? Do you think their arcane beliefs about sexuality could possibly be related to this?

Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I tried to stay out of this discussion, but you had me at "Duggars". What kind of a person could admire a family who covered up the sexual abuse of their daughters by the older brother? You can't pretend it didn't happen or pray the abuse away. Despicable.

Back to the topic of the thread, I don't know if anti-vaxxers believe in other conspiracy theories, but they've certainly bought into one of the most dangerous theories out there. One that has been debunked time and time again. Countless lives have been saved by vaccines. Those who choose not to vaccinate their children should be prepared to home school them, and keep them out of public places. They are putting their own children at risk and those that cannot be immunized or have immune disorders. Make your choice, but realize that choices have consequences. Health care workers and ancillary staff should be mandated to have the flu vaccine, or wear masks. If you feel your freedom is being violated, then how about the freedom and safety of those who are vulnerable and compromised?

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Again this is real-time evidence of the OP's question.

If you feel your freedom is being violated, then how about the freedom and safety of those who are vulnerable and compromised?

It should be abundantly clear by now that anti-vaxxers do not care about the vulnerable and compromised people in society, so bringing them up in any conversation is completely futile. They say over and over that it's just not their responsibility to consider other people when making decisions about their kids. They care only about their own children, who are apparently hearty and healthy in the face of serious diseases, but for some reason are delicate snowflakes with respect to vaccines. They so fear vaccines, many of which are composed of 'killed" or inactivated viruses, yet show no significant apprehension about their kids coming into contact with the real, full strength thing. It makes zero sense to prefer to expose a child to a live, completely intact microorganism versus an inactivated, weakened, or "killed" one. But logic is not really their strong suit.

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
It should be abundantly clear by now that anti-vaxxers do not care about the vulnerable and compromised people in society, so bringing them up in any conversation is completely futile. They say over and over that it's just not their responsibility to consider other people when making decisions about their kids. They care only about their own children, who are apparently hearty and healthy in the face of serious diseases, but for some reason are delicate snowflakes with respect to vaccines. They so fear vaccines, many of which are composed of 'killed" or inactivated viruses, yet show no significant apprehension about their kids coming into contact with the real, full strength thing. It makes zero sense to prefer to expose a child to a live, completely intact microorganism versus an inactivated, weakened, or "killed" one. But logic is not really their strong suit.

Again this is part of a fundamental element of conspiracist ideation, the ability to hold simultaneous belief in two mutually exclusive beliefs.

Specializes in School nursing.
Call me old fashioned. But I'm not sure kids need to know how to spell cunnilingus or how to put a condom on a fake member.

Duggars, right on. (not the lack of contraception; to each his own, but that's not what I'm applauding about them)

Kissing, being alone on dates, even holding hands - it all just leads to temptation that kids don't need.

I wonder if parents are aware that Sex Ed is no longer about just anatomy, a woman's menstrual cycle, and wet dreams.

I do think parents need to be telling kids about values and morality in relation to sexuality/sex.

I do hope your children have never used the internet or a cell phone. Because, take it for what it is, sex is easy to find. And a lot of it is not factual, unfortunately. In my experience, pre-teens and teens seek it out when they aren't getting any factual information about it. Kids are curious creatures and Media is extremely easy to find and access.

I also agree that parents need to be the moral compass for their children when it comes to sex - if you have read my previous posts, we are on the same page with that. Presenting facts is just that. Facts. Comprehensive sex education is meant to help parents start and continue conversations at home. I have many tools to do so for parents.

I also send home a letter before I teach telling parents what comprehensive sex education is, the topics we cover, and give them an option to opt their child out of it. Thus far, I have not had one parent opt their child out of the class.

I admit you also lost me at the Duggars. Their belief system included covering up the sexual assaults of their own daughters by their son.

Is that really necessary? Are you not an adult?

I've read this entire thing and while I'm not an anti-vaxxer, I'm appalled by a lot of the behavior seen on this thread. The opposing viewpoint isn't what's embarrassing here; it's the belittlement. There is no reason to be disrespectful. Hear everyone's viewpoint. Understand their perspective. Provide the data/research. Don't be a jerk or belittle them if they don't agree with you.

Could you represent the profession with a little dignity? Stop acting childish.

Oh, it was funny. A little levity.

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