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News & ArtsFriday, October 23, 2009
Video of the Day Lunchtime Quickie
Posted by Kelly O on Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 12:05 PM
"Doctors say what happened to Desiree Jennings shouldn't discourage people from getting flu shots."
Are you f-ing kidding me?! Consider me discouraged. I was just looking at the flu shot sign up sheet about 15 minutes ago. Now there's NO WAY. No way in H-E-double-hockey-sticks. Nope. I don't like running. Or walking backwards.
1
You know what's better than a 1-in-a-million chance? Zero chance. By not taking it. Shit like this is not equivalent exchange for being sick for a few days.
2
The odds of slipping and maiming yourself in the bathroom is way higher than this, yet you got up and took a piss right? Immunization works best when it reaches a critical mass. By getting a shot, you are protecting not just yourself, but contributing to the health of your community. What an asswipe you'll look like if you get the flu and then spread it to a baby that dies.
4
Do you drive a car, ride in a car, take baths, eat salads, or do anything but live in a plastic bubble? Your odds of dying or getting seriously hurt/ill from all of those are greater than this.
5
ARRGHHH!!!! I haven't had a flu shot in 3 yrs and I get sick less now than I did back then. Maybe its the 9 anthrax shots I received...
7
I've never gotten the flu shot, have only had it once in my life. After that flu, I have to say, my immunity has only seemed to get better. I feel a cold coming on some days, and the next it's gone. Haven't been sick in two years.
8
So where's the proof that the flu shot caused the dystonia? Oh yeah, there isn't any; it's currently just a timing coincidence. Is this her first flu shot ever? Did she do anything else for the first time in the last month? I'm sure Jenny McCarthy et al. will jump all over this as more "proof".
10
Skip the seasonal flu shot if you wish, but please get the swine flu shot. I'd rather you become fucked up in the head than my kid get your flu and die.
12
If people would stay home when they are (getting) sick, we wouldn't need a flu vaccine. That means you, hacking and coughing Metro riders.
13
I think the odds are better that you would be run down by a city bus or to get a round of e.coli.
A flu shot can be a good idea if you are around people with compromised immune systems/infants under the age of six months. (they can't get flu shots) A flut shot just isn't about the person getting it. It is also helping with public health.
A flu shot can be a good idea if you are around people with compromised immune systems/infants under the age of six months. (they can't get flu shots) A flut shot just isn't about the person getting it. It is also helping with public health.
15
Yes, by all means, everybody pile up your anecdotes here, maybe we'll eventually compile actual data!
There are two good reasons for getting a flu shot: one, to protect yourself if you are one of the vulnerable sub-groups and two, to help increase herd immunity. The CDC estimates that around 36,000 died every year from the flu-related illnesses during the 90s (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_…). And yes, perfect vaccination would not have fixed all of those deaths, or even necessarily most of them. But not getting a flu shot because you think the flu is just the sniffles, or because of some bizarre story like this one is a really terrible reason. Way to make everybody in the population a little bit more vulnerable, good work!
There are two good reasons for getting a flu shot: one, to protect yourself if you are one of the vulnerable sub-groups and two, to help increase herd immunity. The CDC estimates that around 36,000 died every year from the flu-related illnesses during the 90s (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_…). And yes, perfect vaccination would not have fixed all of those deaths, or even necessarily most of them. But not getting a flu shot because you think the flu is just the sniffles, or because of some bizarre story like this one is a really terrible reason. Way to make everybody in the population a little bit more vulnerable, good work!
16
This is the same sort of logic that makes people terrified of airplanes and roller coasters, even though they're many times safer than driving a car to and from work. The most dangerous part of going to Six Flags or to the airport to catch a flight is the drive to get there.
17
Are you a pregnant woman? Not getting the H1N1 flu shot means you have a 6 times greater chance of dying from H1N1 if you get it.
Get the shot and stop whining. Baby.
Get the shot and stop whining. Baby.
18
Guess I missed the part of the story where the doctors said the flu shot -- 10 days earlier -- caused her condition.
But hey, if it's on "Inside Edition" it must be legitimate, right?
But hey, if it's on "Inside Edition" it must be legitimate, right?
19
Now, if you're a park ranger and don't ever come in contact with people and wash your hands with hot water and soap ... ok, skip the shot.
21
Um... Wiki Dystonia... you get a background on this girl and the organization that is promoting the link between seasonal flu shots and the disorder as well as a little background as to what "news" organization promoted the story. Kind of puts all the pieces together now huh!?
22
Great. Now the ultra conservative wacko nuts that I'm forced to work alongside will be ranting even more than they already do about government conspiracies to kill us with flu shots.
Fucking "news"
Fucking "news"
23
I see that this story is being reported by only the finest and most reputable news outlets, like Fox, Prison Planet, Rense..... Also we should always heed the advice of neurological patients who self diagnose the cause of their illness.
25
Read the recent Atlantic article about flu vaccinations. There's some solid medical researchers saying it's all a bit of a joke.
26
Even if this report weren't a scam/propaganda, which it basically is, if you're younger than 30, your risk of dying from H1N1 flu is much greater. And your risk of transmitting the virus to someone who could die from it is also much greater.
27
Kelly O, you neurotic nut, stay out of the medical advisory business.
Little quiz here genious? Why don't we have polio or smallpox anymore?? Have a heaping helping of this shit, brainless
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox
can we agree to leave the fear of science to the republicans?
Little quiz here genious? Why don't we have polio or smallpox anymore?? Have a heaping helping of this shit, brainless
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox
can we agree to leave the fear of science to the republicans?
30
It's been said before in this thread, but it needs to be said again:
Many more people suffer much more severe injuries every day just by driving to work. Many more people suffer much more severe injuries every day by falling in the bathroom. There are built-in risks to every human behavior. Shit happens.
If you look at the the data, weigh the odds of suffering injury from a vaccination against the odds of suffering Death by Captain Trips and/or causing the death(s) of person(s) close to you, any reasonable person will conclude this is an acceptable risk.
herd immunity achieved through herd vaccination is our greatest weapon in our war against infectious disease. Use it please.
Many more people suffer much more severe injuries every day just by driving to work. Many more people suffer much more severe injuries every day by falling in the bathroom. There are built-in risks to every human behavior. Shit happens.
If you look at the the data, weigh the odds of suffering injury from a vaccination against the odds of suffering Death by Captain Trips and/or causing the death(s) of person(s) close to you, any reasonable person will conclude this is an acceptable risk.
herd immunity achieved through herd vaccination is our greatest weapon in our war against infectious disease. Use it please.
32
If the anti-vaccination crowd led by Jenny McCarthy successfully evangelizes enough people with their cherry-picked unconfirmed anecdotes distributed via YouTube, they stand a real chance of convincing enough people to opt out to bring back what are now extremely rare illnesses.
33
Pfffftttt.... "DOCTORS say..."
Man, doctors talk a LOT of shit. They act like they know everything, just because they spent nearly a decade in school learning how to save lives. Fucking quacks.
Why should I listen to fucking doctors when I can get medical advice from the "Drunk of the Week" columnist of the Stranger?
Man, doctors talk a LOT of shit. They act like they know everything, just because they spent nearly a decade in school learning how to save lives. Fucking quacks.
Why should I listen to fucking doctors when I can get medical advice from the "Drunk of the Week" columnist of the Stranger?
34
Humans are extraordinarily bad at risk assessment. Thanks Kelly O for demonstrating this so... vividly. This girl drew the short 1 in a million straw. I feel bad for her. Do you know how many healthy young people die of regular flu? Hint: much more than 1 in a million. But you don't see a news report when someone dies of the flu.
It is exactly like seatbelts: a tiny number of people are killed when they are trapped in their cars by their seatbelts. But so many more are saved.
I await Kello O's post where she announces that she will no longer wear her seatbelt. (She can join my dad, who claims it is better to be "thrown clear" in a wreck).
Kello O: stupid fucking credulous mush head of the day!
It is exactly like seatbelts: a tiny number of people are killed when they are trapped in their cars by their seatbelts. But so many more are saved.
I await Kello O's post where she announces that she will no longer wear her seatbelt. (She can join my dad, who claims it is better to be "thrown clear" in a wreck).
Kello O: stupid fucking credulous mush head of the day!
35
Does that report not feel like an Onion spoof? I feel bad for her and I don't doubt the veracity of her condition, but something about the whole thing doesn't smell right.
37
@17: No one seems to realize THERE IS NO FUCKING H1N1 VACCINE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN YET. The vaccine that's available is the nasal spray, which carries live virus, and is not recommended for pregnant women.
I'm sick and tired of people telling my pregnant ass to get this mythical vaccine that doesn't yet exist.
I'm sick and tired of people telling my pregnant ass to get this mythical vaccine that doesn't yet exist.
39
Calling Dr. Golob! Also, wow. So serious. Please don't misunderstand this post for any sort of medical advisory. I'm not telling other people NOT to get shots.
I'm posting own my kneejerk reaction to this weird video that currently circulating all over the tubes
I'm posting own my kneejerk reaction to this weird video that currently circulating all over the tubes
40
There are indeed some serious adverse reactions flu vaccines. Guillain-Barre syndrome is one that is often cited and does cause nerve damage that might manifest itself similar to that lady's dystonia. However, you are at least 3000 times more likely to die of the flu (either seasonal or H1N1) than an adverse reaction to the vaccine. Her condition is both emotive and unfortunate, but let's not lose sight of the real risk here.
41
@10 get out of here with your fucking kid, please. You're like that twat yesterday who wanted to ban the 178-page library book her four year old checked out. You're not important, neither is your kid.
42
@37. Um, you're wrong. I work at the VA Medical Center, and Employee Health got our first H1N1 vaccine shipment in this week. In injection form; not nasal spray. Highest priority to recieve them: Pregnant employees. You may want to re-check your resources.
43
Way to spread fear and speculation. The flu vaccine is not meant to protect the healthy people out there. It is to protect the more vulnerable populations (children, elderly, and other immunodeficient peoples).
Stick to reporting on juggalos and juggolettes
Kelly O, you are the stupid fucking credulous hack of the day.
Stick to reporting on juggalos and juggolettes
Kelly O, you are the stupid fucking credulous hack of the day.
44
I am disappointed that Inside Edition and Kelly O are perpetuating such a travesty of "reporting" and critical thinking. I am angered that they are exploiting Ms. Jennings in her unfortunate condition. (I wish Ms. Jennings only the best, and offer her my sincere condolences.)
I am delighted and heartened by volume of these comments supporting the medical community, science, and real risk assessment.
On opting out of vaccines:
“I used to say that the tide would turn when children started to die. Well, children have started to die,” Offit says, frowning as he ticks off recent fatal cases of meningitis in unvaccinated children in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. “So now I’ve changed it to ‘when enough children start to die.’ Because obviously, we’re not there yet.”
From Wired's "An Epidemic of Fear: How Panicked Parents Skipping Shots Endangers Us All", page 2
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/10/ff…
I am delighted and heartened by volume of these comments supporting the medical community, science, and real risk assessment.
On opting out of vaccines:
“I used to say that the tide would turn when children started to die. Well, children have started to die,” Offit says, frowning as he ticks off recent fatal cases of meningitis in unvaccinated children in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. “So now I’ve changed it to ‘when enough children start to die.’ Because obviously, we’re not there yet.”
From Wired's "An Epidemic of Fear: How Panicked Parents Skipping Shots Endangers Us All", page 2
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/10/ff…
45
am I the only one who wants to throw things at my tv when the "journalist" doesn't ask what I would call OBVIOUS QUESTIONS??
e.g. how is the flu shot connected to the disorder? just because it happened 10 days after getting a shot doesn't mean that something else might not have caused it! i shouldn't have to go to wikipedia, but i did anyway, and the cause of the disease is pretty unclear.
it's inside edition, i know, but... is anyone home?
e.g. how is the flu shot connected to the disorder? just because it happened 10 days after getting a shot doesn't mean that something else might not have caused it! i shouldn't have to go to wikipedia, but i did anyway, and the cause of the disease is pretty unclear.
it's inside edition, i know, but... is anyone home?
47
Eh. Wouldn't we be better off if 90% of the population was snuffed out in another black plague-style pandemic?
Think of how clear the roads would be! We could re-stripe every other lane as a bike-only lane!
Don't get a flu shot! Do it for the bike lanes!
Think of how clear the roads would be! We could re-stripe every other lane as a bike-only lane!
Don't get a flu shot! Do it for the bike lanes!
48
On further consideration, I've decided that if you own a pit bull you can skip the flu shot.
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
49
Hmm...lost boy in a hot air balloon...healthy girl contracts dystonia after a flu shot...I'm just sayin'.
50
Next: on Inside Edition, the sad case of Simone Phillips the Hooters waitress who may or may not have been horribly disfigured in a terrible incident possibly related to Jello....
51
Last I heard, her case was being treated as a psychogenic one. That is, she doesn't have the disorder from a physiological standpoint.
Also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4gj5_PFb…
If you laugh you are going to hell.
Also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4gj5_PFb…
If you laugh you are going to hell.
53
kellyo, if I somehow get the swine flu before getting vaccinated I am seriously breaking into your house and coughing over everything until your place is properly infected.....no jokes here
54
@ Kelly O.
Stop. fucking. talking.
How hard is it to get to Golob on the same page you post on, like you even suggested? This is bullshit, and fear-mongering, and your "knee jerk reaction" and posts like it CAUSE HARM.
How do you like causing a death, Kelly?
Yes, it's hyperbole, but you're still being fucking stupid.
Stop. fucking. talking.
How hard is it to get to Golob on the same page you post on, like you even suggested? This is bullshit, and fear-mongering, and your "knee jerk reaction" and posts like it CAUSE HARM.
How do you like causing a death, Kelly?
Yes, it's hyperbole, but you're still being fucking stupid.
55
so kelly i take it you blog from home, sealed in a plastic bubble? because even stepping outside, eating or taking a shower etc etc is way more dangerous than a vaccine
57
@42: Thanks for the heads up. I'm in Spokane, and I called the public health line on Monday and they didn't have it. Maybe they do now.
58
Could none of you decode the sarcasm is Kelly's original post?? She found an absurdity on the internet and is passing it on so we can all marvel at the batshit craziness of it all. SOMEONE CALL THE FUN POLICE.
@54 'how do you like causing a death, Kelly?'
it's pussies like you that ruin it for everyone. you are anal retentive and no one wants to party with you!
@54 'how do you like causing a death, Kelly?'
it's pussies like you that ruin it for everyone. you are anal retentive and no one wants to party with you!
59
@58. First of all, no. You're a revisionist asshole. Every time someone makes a bad post (and most of Kelly's are good), you claim it's sarcasm. This is not satire.
Secondly, this type of thing DOES cause people like Jenny McCarthy fans, to avoid vaccinations, which end up sickening some and killing a few.
Finally, enjoy the real world, tough guy. Open your window in your basement apartment, take a deep breath, and inhale my urine as I piss on you as I come home from the bar.
Secondly, this type of thing DOES cause people like Jenny McCarthy fans, to avoid vaccinations, which end up sickening some and killing a few.
Finally, enjoy the real world, tough guy. Open your window in your basement apartment, take a deep breath, and inhale my urine as I piss on you as I come home from the bar.
60
While unpleasant side effects like dystonia do occasionally occur in response to a vaccine, they also occur in response to the real disease: they're caused by autoimmune reactions, where your immune system sees "virus + nerves" and thinks "virus = evil, therefore nerves = evil". If you avoid a vaccine, you're avoiding (100% odds of vaccine)*(1:million risk of dystonia) in favor of (10%-ish odds of catching flu)*(1:million risk of dystonia + 1:thousand risk of dying from flu itself). Not to mention that any viral infection, even a cold, can trigger dystonia. When you look the numbers in the eye and don't let them scare you, the flu shot still makes sense.
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