Just a day after watching a new video (forget it's a commercial, and for formula, oh dear!) about how parents (moms specifically) should give each other a break and stop the warring,
I read an article that, I think, sets the conversation back to zero. Not because I don't understand that he's trying to stir the pot, but because he is choosing to stir the pot on such a sensitive subject.
http://healthimpactnews.com/2015/arizona-cardiologist-responds-to-critics-regarding-measles-and-vaccines/
Dr. Jack Wolfson, who has gotten a lot of attention in the past few days with his adamant stance opposing vaccines, chose to respond to his "haters" with a knee jerk, arrogant tirade tearing down everyone from food companies to doctors (not him of course) to our own parents - yes, he thinks we should be angry with our own parents for not co-sleeping and for allowing us to eat pizza. Instead of simply making his case against vaccines, giving the facts, and asking that we stop vilifying those who choose against them he feeds the frenzy. And why? To what end?
The reality is that there is a reason money and research were committed to creating these vaccines, and while I'm a conspiracy theorist, I don't believe it was just for profit. They were created because the disease was considered awful enough that there was a need to eradicate it. They are given because the risk of death/maiming from infection is higher than the risk of a reaction to the vaccine. I would dare those who find these diseases to be benign to speak with someone who has suffered through one or someone who lost a child because of one. Check the facts on flu deaths, because they do exist.
The biggest issue with vaccinations, different from breastfeeding or crying it out, is that it impacts everyone, not just your child. I agree with the father in the following blog, "your child does not live in a bubble, when your child gets sick other children are exposed..."
http://www.kidnurse.org/parents-unvaccinated-child-exposed-family-measles/
The other dangerous issue at hand is a complete distrust of doctors. Somehow google and social media has us all thinking that we know more than the people with medical degrees. While I don't think doctors are without flaws, I do believe that as a parent you should find a pediatrician you like and you trust and you agree with. If not, why have one? What's the point in taking your child to a doctor you don't believe? If you are using a pediatrician who supports your method of parenting (whatever that may be) you should trust the information you are getting and NOT blow him/her off as a close-minded quack, and then proceed to take the advice of Jenny McCarthy (who has no medical background at all) or even a cardiologist, who seems to think he is the only doctor who isn't a quack and is not your child's pediatrician.
The bottom line is, as Papa Bear in the aforementioned blog post said, "I assume you love your child(ren) just like I love mine. I assume that you are trying to make good choices regarding their care." But when it comes to vaccines your choices impact others.
As far as your decisions (or mine) regarding breastfeeding or formula, co-sleep or cry it out, free-range or helicopter we are all simply doing the best we can for our children. To judge what another is doing is not only to assume your way is the only way, but is to imply that somehow you must love your child(ren) more, and that, I take issue with. Even Papa Bear assumes you love your children and are just doing the best you can.
