Jenny McCarthy, bringer of the Apocalypse

[Memekiller]

http://www.examiner.com/x-4112-Skepticism-Examiner~y2009m4d26-Jenny-McCarthy-threatens-human-race

It isn't all hyperbole. Jenny McCarthy is a threat to the human race. With the outbreak of the swine flu epidemic, and cases popping up on the US side of the border, few have done more to popularize the anti-vaccination movement. making us more susceptible to a full-blown outbreak.

Unlike in the case of a Christian Scientist denying care to their children, Jenny McCarthy's crucade to stop vaccinations affects us all because to prevent an outbreak. you have to keep a certain percentage of the population immunized:

Yes, Jenny McCarthy endangers us all.

[Ian David]

1. ...

[valerief]

2. Imagine a world with safe vaccines. nt

[villager]

3. Because a non-existent vaccine could've stopped the current outbreak?

:shrug:

[Memekiller]

5. In the story...

...they mention that the most susceptible appears to be white men, 25-35, usually the least likely to get something. But, they are also the least likely to get flu shots, which is the only thing they can figure.

[villager]

6. Except there is no flu shot for this particular flu....

n/t

[Memekiller]

8. but those with the flu shot...

...are less likely to get the swine flu. So, it appears to do something.

[Lerkfish]

11. bullshit. it is no help whatsoever. Do you even understand what a vaccine is?

a vaccine is only helpful against the PRECISE VIRUS that has been used in making the vaccine.

[Memekiller]

15. Apparently, not BS...

...though, apparently, no longer considered a possibility.

There had been hope that the current seasonal vaccine might do some good, since it contains an H1N1 virus component — meaning the new swine flu strain was at least in the same family of viruses. But the new H1N1 virus is apparently too different for the current vaccine to offer what scientists call "cross protection."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103517402

Hardly impossible, as specific as vaccines may be. It was a possibility seriously being considered by people with medical backgrounds at the time.

[villager]

12. Um, no, that's just you extrapolating -- people with actual medical backgrounds aren't claiming this

n/t

[northzax]

16. they are, however

less likely to get the secondary infection of flu that might be the killer.

[villager]

19. Huh? There's a secondary pneumonia that's lethal, in Mexico...

... no "secondary flu" that some hypothetical shot might have prevented -- had it even been guessed at for one of the previous vaccines...

[northzax]

17. there have been 40 cases in the US

how can anyone make a guess on who is most susceptible?

[Memekiller]

18. Good question...

...here's the Washington Post story pinpointing young adult men: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30426170/page/2/

[northzax]

20. where did the 'white' come from?

I see nothing about that in the article you link to.

[Memekiller]

21. That I can't explain n/t

[northzax]

22. but you wrote it?

right? is it just that if 25-35 yo white males are more susceptible, it fits into some pandemic myth you have built up?

[Lerkfish]

4. sorry, but bullshit. obviously don't understand how flu vaccines work

flu vaccines are made a year EARLIER , based on the prevailing strain at that time. As a result, any NEW strain is not covered by the vaccine, even if you got the vaccine.

this is just ignorance masquerading as outrage.

the point is, ANY new flu strain is deadly precisely because its new.

[Memekiller]

7. Again, read the story...

...the most likely to get the flu are those least likely to get flu vaccinations - so even if it's new, the flu vaccine might have some effect.

[Lerkfish]

10. I read the story--the story is wrong, sorry. What I told you is correct.

vaccines take months to develop, and those that make them make a best guess as to what the upcoming strain will be like.

Let me explain it to you in a more simple manner: vaccines are highly specific. Just because you get a vaccine against strain A, you are still completely unprotected from strain Q.

I don't care what the article says, the author is obviously woefully ignorant of how vaccines work.

[Memekiller]

14. That may be...

I'm just reiterating what I heard on NPR, which was only a guess. It's been widely reported that the most susceptible may be those usually lest likely to get sick -- young adult males. It's been in Slate, WP and others. Though it's still not know why, on NPR, I believe it was, it was suggested that the only theory anyone has come up with is that it is also the group least likely to get vaccinated.

[puebloknot]

23. "I'm just reiterating ..." (i.e. spreading unsubstantiated gossip).

So maybe Jenny McCarthy isn't such a threat to life on Planet Earth, after all. Think?

[mzmolly]

9. Has Jenny McCarthy come out against developing a Swine Flu vaccine?

If so, got a quote?

:eyes:

What endangers "us all" is the suggestion that A) everyone agree and B) all people respond to medical intervention in the same manner.

[Memekiller]

13. That may be...

Wrong post