The real root cause here is that the conventional medical establishment is (a) inaccessible for a large majority of the population, and (b) extremely dismissive of a wide variety of health concerns even if it is accessed. Because of this lack of support, people turn to “alternative” sources to get care and support. It’s not just vaccine information, either - I bet that most American women have at least one, and possibly multiple, stories of being blown off by medical professionals when they had real and legitimate concerns. There’s a reason why most of the people going to those “wellness” resources are women.
It takes a lot of relevant education and critical thinking skills to actually be able to “do your own research”, and most people can’t. And their doctors (if they even have one) sure aren’t doing it for them. Hence - a wide swath of the population falling for whatever snake oil antivax garbage the Russians cook up next.
I really, really want to argue with you about this, but i really, really can’t. There is a huge amount of sexism, racism and classism baked into the medical system. That said, the root cause is much more a culture of grifters and snake oil salespeople who have found a lucrative bunch of marks. Throw in a heaping helping of contempt for education and knowledge, and you have a beautiful set up for this crap. The counterweight should be an easily accessible and respectful medical system, but we’ve covered that.
using COVID-19 vaccination to kill people. There’s no evidence for this theory.
i wish the english speaking world could get away from calling these things “a theory”. it gives it - to my ears - way more weight than it deserves. as if it’s a considered, rational body of thought
… and then to say “there’s no evidence”. it doesn’t rise to the level of something that could have evidence in the first place. and using that phrasing conveys the idea that maybe someday it could
our language for talking about misinformation that’s being used for political or financial gain seems lacking
I am not sure, but I think that It is problema common to every language. This is a problem of the press, they usually write their headlines and texts this way. They avoid using assertive phrasing, stating that these stories are utter bullshit.
The government of Japan is planning to stop offering free vaccines for those who have not yet completed their first two doses by the end of this year, though vaccines will still be free for the third and fourth doses.
80% of the population has already had two shots, and a good 40% has had four shots (I’m getting my fourth on Christmas Eve), so this is not likely to affect anyone who was planning to get vaccinated but just hasn’t gotten around to it.
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