When I was a child, polio was a scourge that was many mothers’ (and fathers’, and siblings’, and society's) worst nightmare. It struck with devastating effects, stalking children with the risk of irreparable harm. And then, there was a vaccine, and it was a godsend.
I wouldn't be alive were it not for 'yay, science'. Type 1 diabetes was a death sentence a century ago. Were it not for generations of determined researchers, capped off by Dr. Frederick Banting and a sleepless night in Ontario, Canada long ago, I would have died not long after my 12th birthday. Now, thanks to the discovery of insulin, I'm alive and well 30+ years later. All who fail to understand the power of science to heal and solve problems are living in denial.
Good for you i have tried to get the vaccine and i couldnt get it because it fiilled up in twenty minutes so don’t Even go their becauase a lot of people cant get the vaccne
Wish I could pay but have to pinch pennies right now. Yes, back in the 40’s and 50’s polio was downright scary. My cousin had it and it crippled him for life. Science is awesome and continues to improve our lives. Many of us would not be here now if it wasn’t for the many vaccines that have been discovered and used throughout our lifetimes. Thank you Dan for being a great proponent of science and preparedness.
My aunt had polio, and walked with a limp for' the rest of her life. She was one of the lucky ones. I received the vaccine at my school when I was in 5th grade. I was given a little badge that said "Pioneer for Polio". Now, I wonder if I was part of a test group. Not everyone in my school got the vaccine. I assumed it was because parents withheld their permission.
The anti-vaccine movement absolutely infuriates me! I'm not sure exactly how/when it started, but I know that it gained momentum when some doctor published a paper which said that vaccines caused autism in children. He later admitted that the whole thing was a fake, but the damage was done. To make things even worse, celebrities like Oprah gave air time to these anti-science people, who have done and are continuing to do immeasurable harm. Not only to their children, but to children who for medical reasons can't be vaccinated and have to depend on herd immunity to protect them.
I am so inclined to say, “yay, science!” Particularly as somebody who never had aptitude or the patience necessary to study it and at advanced level, or even moderate level. What a marvel. My parents are in your peer group and we live in a rural area, so they’re still waiting and I’ll be way at the end of the list, but at least it exists thanks to the effort and ingenuity of modern scientists and their predecessors.
I remember when we all lined up in school to receive our polio vaccines. I was four years old and my brother was six while we were in line waiting for our injections (my brother did not like shots but I did not think they were a such big deal). He held my hand when he received his injection. My mother had tears streaming down her face because she was so relieved that we had our vaccines! We had a cousin that had contracted polio requiring him to be isolated from his entire family and in a hospital hundreds of miles away from home for months and months with only a few minutes a month of visitation. He was about 18 months old and he had a very difficult time, physically and emotionally, my aunt and uncle did not know if he would survive nor what would happen to their precious baby. More than 60 years later my cousin still has many issues related to this awful and dreaded disease.
The thing is, we still do not know the long term effects of Covid-19. Some people will escape any long term effects, just as in the past with other viral infections, but some will have continuing life-long issues or issues that return with a devastating power as our immune systems begin to become less effective as we age and allows the virus to become active within our body once again.
Science is a marvelous thing. We had mostly eradicated measles, but now it is coming back because some people refuse to vaccinate their children for the very diseases that killed or maimed millions. DEADLY diseases! So many vaccines are saving lives and preventing complications that no parent wants to see their child have or carry with them their entire lifetime.
It is a great sadness and mystery to me why a parent would chose to endanger their child purposely!! Needlessly!! Maybe they have never seen the devastation, emotional and physical cost, economic cost, loss of limbs or intellect, and pain a disease can cause their beloved. It is only because science has prevented their beloved from being infected by a disease with herd immunity from vaccines that we do not have more people that have died or experience the difficulties of living with a deadly disease. The fewer people that decide that vaccines are not for them because of one ineffective study from one doctor (that was subsequently proven false because the study was seriously flawed) and the "social media" grew and grew the lie into a monster problem of why autism and other problems were growing in the United States and around the world.
These people did not perform their due diligence to find the other scientific data that either confirmed or dismissed this study but, instead, believed conspiracy theories linking autism to vaccines. Also, those same people did not stop to think that science found better ways to detect illness, diseases, and issues that afflict the human body, both medically and genetically.
Medical science is such a blessing. Researching how to stop a virus or disease, in my opinion, is a a study in love, patience, hope, dedication, and faith that man can help eliminate something that harms our species and provides better health that will shape our ability to reach our true potential in life. Being a Scientist is not a easy life as it is often frustrating to adhere to all the trials complexities, to find the necessary grants. to adhere to all the safety protocols, to even have enough hours in the day, and to find the qualified personnel to do the necessary jobs. We need to respect our Scientists and Medical Researchers and pay them accordingly. They save our lives, our health, and our futures.
Please get vaccinated, save your life and the lives of those you love. Help our future to be healthier and more productive.
You never cease to amaze, @DanRather. You have shared your knowledge, expertise and especially your experiences for decades and for that I am forever grateful. Your insight to so many issues that face our country and the world is beyond amazing. I learn something literally every time I read the wonderful words that seem to magically and effortlessly form from your brilliant mind. I find wisdom in your message beyond anything I can imagine. You have he ability to touch our hearts and reach across generations. I am so grateful for you—and all you share with us every day. You are a true inspiration and national treasure. YAY, DAN RATHER!
Yay Science! I remember living next door to a family with 6 kids in Ft. Worth in the early 60's. The youngest had polio which left him with one good leg. I can still see him skip-running with the bad leg when he could enjoy being free of the clunky metal and leather brace that turned him from a player to an observer.
That anyone could be anti-vaccine, especially RFK Jr., makes me feel like we live in a dystopian nightmare.
I'm still waiting to get any vaccine but am willing to wait until all the front-line essential workers and teachers can get their shots first. Besides, my dog likes me being home all the time. ;-)
I wouldn't be alive were it not for 'yay, science'. Type 1 diabetes was a death sentence a century ago. Were it not for generations of determined researchers, capped off by Dr. Frederick Banting and a sleepless night in Ontario, Canada long ago, I would have died not long after my 12th birthday. Now, thanks to the discovery of insulin, I'm alive and well 30+ years later. All who fail to understand the power of science to heal and solve problems are living in denial.
Yay God!😷
Good for you i have tried to get the vaccine and i couldnt get it because it fiilled up in twenty minutes so don’t Even go their becauase a lot of people cant get the vaccne
Thank you for this! So interesting to get your perspective on vaccines over the decades.
Wish I could pay but have to pinch pennies right now. Yes, back in the 40’s and 50’s polio was downright scary. My cousin had it and it crippled him for life. Science is awesome and continues to improve our lives. Many of us would not be here now if it wasn’t for the many vaccines that have been discovered and used throughout our lifetimes. Thank you Dan for being a great proponent of science and preparedness.
My aunt had polio, and walked with a limp for' the rest of her life. She was one of the lucky ones. I received the vaccine at my school when I was in 5th grade. I was given a little badge that said "Pioneer for Polio". Now, I wonder if I was part of a test group. Not everyone in my school got the vaccine. I assumed it was because parents withheld their permission.
The anti-vaccine movement absolutely infuriates me! I'm not sure exactly how/when it started, but I know that it gained momentum when some doctor published a paper which said that vaccines caused autism in children. He later admitted that the whole thing was a fake, but the damage was done. To make things even worse, celebrities like Oprah gave air time to these anti-science people, who have done and are continuing to do immeasurable harm. Not only to their children, but to children who for medical reasons can't be vaccinated and have to depend on herd immunity to protect them.
Definitely - YAY SCIENCE. Waiting for my shot(s) with patience.
I am so inclined to say, “yay, science!” Particularly as somebody who never had aptitude or the patience necessary to study it and at advanced level, or even moderate level. What a marvel. My parents are in your peer group and we live in a rural area, so they’re still waiting and I’ll be way at the end of the list, but at least it exists thanks to the effort and ingenuity of modern scientists and their predecessors.
We are also very grateful to have received the two doses of vaccine.
As a nursing student, l remember the polio wards with rows of iron lungs at U. Of M. Hospital.
I remember when we all lined up in school to receive our polio vaccines. I was four years old and my brother was six while we were in line waiting for our injections (my brother did not like shots but I did not think they were a such big deal). He held my hand when he received his injection. My mother had tears streaming down her face because she was so relieved that we had our vaccines! We had a cousin that had contracted polio requiring him to be isolated from his entire family and in a hospital hundreds of miles away from home for months and months with only a few minutes a month of visitation. He was about 18 months old and he had a very difficult time, physically and emotionally, my aunt and uncle did not know if he would survive nor what would happen to their precious baby. More than 60 years later my cousin still has many issues related to this awful and dreaded disease.
The thing is, we still do not know the long term effects of Covid-19. Some people will escape any long term effects, just as in the past with other viral infections, but some will have continuing life-long issues or issues that return with a devastating power as our immune systems begin to become less effective as we age and allows the virus to become active within our body once again.
Science is a marvelous thing. We had mostly eradicated measles, but now it is coming back because some people refuse to vaccinate their children for the very diseases that killed or maimed millions. DEADLY diseases! So many vaccines are saving lives and preventing complications that no parent wants to see their child have or carry with them their entire lifetime.
It is a great sadness and mystery to me why a parent would chose to endanger their child purposely!! Needlessly!! Maybe they have never seen the devastation, emotional and physical cost, economic cost, loss of limbs or intellect, and pain a disease can cause their beloved. It is only because science has prevented their beloved from being infected by a disease with herd immunity from vaccines that we do not have more people that have died or experience the difficulties of living with a deadly disease. The fewer people that decide that vaccines are not for them because of one ineffective study from one doctor (that was subsequently proven false because the study was seriously flawed) and the "social media" grew and grew the lie into a monster problem of why autism and other problems were growing in the United States and around the world.
These people did not perform their due diligence to find the other scientific data that either confirmed or dismissed this study but, instead, believed conspiracy theories linking autism to vaccines. Also, those same people did not stop to think that science found better ways to detect illness, diseases, and issues that afflict the human body, both medically and genetically.
Medical science is such a blessing. Researching how to stop a virus or disease, in my opinion, is a a study in love, patience, hope, dedication, and faith that man can help eliminate something that harms our species and provides better health that will shape our ability to reach our true potential in life. Being a Scientist is not a easy life as it is often frustrating to adhere to all the trials complexities, to find the necessary grants. to adhere to all the safety protocols, to even have enough hours in the day, and to find the qualified personnel to do the necessary jobs. We need to respect our Scientists and Medical Researchers and pay them accordingly. They save our lives, our health, and our futures.
Please get vaccinated, save your life and the lives of those you love. Help our future to be healthier and more productive.
I always say... Thank god for people smarter than me❤️
You never cease to amaze, @DanRather. You have shared your knowledge, expertise and especially your experiences for decades and for that I am forever grateful. Your insight to so many issues that face our country and the world is beyond amazing. I learn something literally every time I read the wonderful words that seem to magically and effortlessly form from your brilliant mind. I find wisdom in your message beyond anything I can imagine. You have he ability to touch our hearts and reach across generations. I am so grateful for you—and all you share with us every day. You are a true inspiration and national treasure. YAY, DAN RATHER!
Whoop whoop, science, vaccines, and a new rover on Mars, looks like the
red dirt of Colorado!
yay! For the people who study and practice science!
You are super hero's in lab coats✔️💯🤍THANK YOU
YAY, For science 🌎and the global practice
Yay Science! I remember living next door to a family with 6 kids in Ft. Worth in the early 60's. The youngest had polio which left him with one good leg. I can still see him skip-running with the bad leg when he could enjoy being free of the clunky metal and leather brace that turned him from a player to an observer.
That anyone could be anti-vaccine, especially RFK Jr., makes me feel like we live in a dystopian nightmare.
I'm still waiting to get any vaccine but am willing to wait until all the front-line essential workers and teachers can get their shots first. Besides, my dog likes me being home all the time. ;-)
Love this post. Brought back memories of me and many 3rd grade classmates lining up for the polio vac at school. No fuss just get it done.