Day: October 10, 2009

Anti Government And Anti Science Attitudes And The Swine Flu

It is amazing that in this time of a swine flu epidemic potential, and with news that 76 children have died as a result of the epidemic, with 19 in the past week, we have anti government and anti science attitudes kicking in to the detriment of the American people.

About a third of parents are making clear that they will not allow their children to be inoculated, because of fear that their kids might become sick, and because they do not trust the government to do what is right. At the same time, a substantial number of health care workers are demonstrating the same crazy mentality, and if so, it makes many people who are not knowledgeable about the epidemic pause before protecting their children and the elderly and those with serious health conditions.

If this epidemic proves to be what it is expected to be, it will be a national disaster if many thousands of Americans die because of the refusal of people to believe the seriousness of the situation.

This is being encouraged by radio talk show hosts and conservatives, who would rather promote religion over science, and love to attack government, except when it benefits wealthy people and corporations.

We are in the midst of a national crisis in more ways than one. It is not just over this potentially massive number of people who might become sick and potentially die if they do not receive inoculation. It is also over understanding government’s importance in our lives,  and the significance of science based on factual evidence, compared to religion, based on belief and faith alone.