Discussion
  • Read More
    BlondeGoddessAnna Merlan
    6/30/15 12:33pm

    Every day I’m forced to add new names to the list of people who piss me off.

    Thanks to vaccines, pox and polio have virtually disappeared from society, which is probably why people don’t realize how freaking bad and life-threatening these diseases are, how easily they can be prevented, and how important herd immunity is (that’s why you NEED vaccines stupid Bill Maher).

    I grew up with children in my neighborhood who were badly disabled because of polio, something you will never forget when you’ve witnessed it. I was born half blind because my pregnant mother came into contact with someone with rubella (for which there weren’t any vaccines yet in the late sixties). Two coworkers of mine had the whooping cough two winters ago, which CAN KILL BABIES. As do the measles.

    Ugh people.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      cheerful_exgirlfriendBlondeGoddess
      6/30/15 12:38pm

      Maher will be singing a different vaccination tune when his old ass gets shingles someday.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      rslwnBlondeGoddess
      6/30/15 12:51pm

      My mother had polio as a child in the 40s and got off fairly easy- one of her legs is a little shorter than the other. But she could have died, or spent the rest of her life in an iron lung. So yeah, ALL THE VACCINES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    AubinTheGreatestAnna Merlan
    6/30/15 12:23pm

    For anyone here who says vaccines are dangerous - the method used to produce vaccines has been studied for over 200, close to 300 years. Cars have been around for less. Microwave ovens have been around for less. VACCINES HAVE BEEN AROUND LONGER THAN HANDWASHING AS A MEDICAL PRACTICE.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      thesebootsAubinTheGreatest
      6/30/15 12:51pm

      Everyone needs to read about the history of public health because it is FASCINATING.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      House Milkshaker of DaftbollocksAubinTheGreatest
      6/30/15 12:55pm

      Shhh don’t come over here on your fact pony and start giving out accurate historical information willy nilly and informing people without their consent. Don’t you know that fear and ‘what’s natural’ and ‘As a parent’ style proclaimings are the main thoughts in these Scientologist - erm - Anti-Vaxxer celebs. You can treat smallpox with yoghurt and special dreams dontcha know. Jenny McCarthy learned that during her PhD in epidemiology at Johns Hopkins. She just doesn’t want to brag about it but she has one. Be dum tish.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    IWasSayingBoournerAnna Merlan
    6/30/15 12:24pm

    I know this is first and foremost a public health threat but I wish more attention was paid to the fact that buying into the autism-connection myth demonstrates a profound hatred of autistic people. It’s one thing to say, no, that’s bullshit, but people who spread it should also be confronted with the fact that they use autistic children as a boogeyman and are fairly open about the fact that they think autism is a worse fate than laid up or even dying from a preventable disease.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      LaurenHorowitzIWasSayingBoourner
      6/30/15 12:29pm

      I do research with autistic adults, and the number one stigma they experience isn’t their social difficulties, because most people who aren’t assholes can accommodate disabled folks, but it is the parents who think that autistic people shouldn’t exist.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      Z-bahIWasSayingBoourner
      6/30/15 12:31pm

      And it slows down legitimate research about what causes autism spectrum disorder and how we should help people who suffer from it live happier healthier lives.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    BrightEyesAnna Merlan
    6/30/15 12:32pm

    The disparity really is incredible. People in other countries walking an entire day without shoes to get to a clinic for a vaccination vs. these rich celebrities who are so priviledged they can afford to eschew them.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      Yoga Nerd, Maybe DeadBrightEyes
      6/30/15 12:47pm

      It’s what I always think re: home births. Gosh, to be so privileged as to have the ability and means to have a baby in a hospital, but choose not too. “Ladies have babies in fields all over the world!!” Yeah, and most of them would LOVE to not have to.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      sfmountainbikerYoga Nerd, Maybe Dead
      6/30/15 1:02pm

      I’m going to venture that, if given the choice, ALL of those women having babies in fields would rather have them in an American hospital. I doubt they wouldn’t even complain about the hospital food.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    CanadianSmugglerAnna Merlan
    6/30/15 1:44pm

    At least Gawker isn't biased on this issue. Yeesh.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      Anna MerlanCanadianSmuggler
      6/30/15 1:46pm

      Biased in favor of... facts?

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      C.A. PinkhamCanadianSmuggler
      6/30/15 1:51pm

      Reality has a well-known pro-vaccine bias. It’s disgusting; reality should really be willing to hear both sides on this issue.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    NomNom83Anna Merlan
    6/30/15 12:14pm

    Obligatory:

    How do vaccines cause autism?

    (Notice: Do not flame me until after you click.)

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      lookingforalmaNomNom83
      6/30/15 12:18pm

      hooo boy that was worth the glares from old people in this airport

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      NomNom83lookingforalma
      6/30/15 12:20pm

      *double finger guns*

      (And: Sorrynotsorry!)

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    recidiviciousAnna Merlan
    6/30/15 12:20pm

    While no scientific studies have clearly shown a link between vaccines and autism, I’m definitely seeing one between Scientology and anti-vaxxer lunacy.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      Suck It, Trebekrecidivicious
      6/30/15 12:23pm

      Or, just, straight-up lunacy. Either/or.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      Supernova: Bullshit Jedirecidivicious
      6/30/15 12:26pm

      I would normally say something about correlation not implying causation about now but if you crunch the numbers it seems you are correct here. It’s scientific theory now. Batshittery begets batshittery.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    fighting polish is David Schwimmer as Rob Kardashian SrAnna Merlan
    6/30/15 12:16pm

    Bear Down http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/03...

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      EleanorBoozaveltfighting polish is David Schwimmer as Rob Kardashian Sr
      6/30/15 12:23pm

      Yuck.

      GIF
      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      andsmokeit is mrs tormund giantsbanefighting polish is David Schwimmer as Rob Kardashian Sr
      6/30/15 12:23pm
      GIF
      GIF
      GIF
      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    KateAnna Merlan
    6/30/15 12:13pm

    Miranda Bailey (right)

    hoooooooooo. SHADE!

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      rslwnKate
      6/30/15 12:16pm

      no seriously who is that though

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      zombiebarbieKate
      6/30/15 12:16pm

      Yeah, that’s Clark Duke on the left. Who is a man. #burn

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    retrogirlAnna Merlan
    6/30/15 12:26pm

    Most of these are also Scientologists. I suspect if you asked Laura Prepon, Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Giovanni Ribisi or Beck, they would be anti-vax as well.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      The Otters Knew Alex Was Still Aroundretrogirl
      6/30/15 12:50pm

      Every time I am reminded that Beck is a Scientologist, I get sad again. Now I need more tea.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      retrogirlThe Otters Knew Alex Was Still Around
      6/30/15 12:55pm

      He’s 2nd generation though. I just feel bad for him. His parents are insanely fucked up.

      Reply
      <