Okay, I don't actually have that strong feeling about flu shots, but more about the hype that everyone MUST get a flu shot, and, closer to home, employer mandated flu shots. Bad. Very bad. I have crossed over to the other side...the conspiracy theory side. I completely believe that this is the chain:
Legislators, well intentioned or not (and I think most at least start out well-intentioned) say "We MUST have flu shots ready, as well as all other national preparedness stuff, 'cause that's the hot new topic."
Pharm. companies say "That's damned expensive to have so much ready each year. Someone better buy it....say...how about we pressure the govt. to heavily press the benefit of the flu shot." "Well, that's a great idea, a whole marketing (propeganda) campaign."
Insurance, clinics, doctors: "Well, it looks like we better push this."
Media: "You must get a flu shot for yourself, your spouse, your children, your dog, your hamster, your goldfish, or your a big, ugly, no-good, stupid, evil moron."
Vox Populi: "I better get a flu shot for myself, my spouse, my children, my cat, my budgie, and my tarantula, or I will be a big, ugly, no-good, stupid, evil moron."
CEO of companies: "Hey we wanna' look good. We can start our own PR campaign: 'All employees of Rwnokw University, who work here in any capacity, must have a flu shot, or wear a surgical mask during flu season.'" (-no joke, this is my empolyer's policy)
I usually get the shot anyway, because I actually do go through the hospital frequently, but you can be sure I wrote on my flu shot acceptance form what a horrible, Big Brother policy this is. It is not for the benefit of the employees, or the patients; it is a PR plug front and foremost.
Hey, let's pass out some take-home hand sanitizer, while we are at it.
And my am hurts. Although that may be from the big batch of challah I kneeded last night.
Hey! 201.6! but that was in just a t-shirt - I'm so desperate to get below 200, yet not desperate enough to actually diet seriously - one week would certainly slide me under the 200 mark, two weeks would put me solidly below it. I'm as much an idiot as any of that populi above.
We can get flu shots at work, but we aren't forced to. I do the calculation of how inconvenient it would be to get the flu and decide it's worth it. My arm did hurt for a couple of hours, but no more.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there's a new thing at work, that if we don't certify that we're non-tobacco users, our premiums go up $200. I heard a lot of people quit smoking. To me that's crazy. If you can spend thousands per year on cigarettes, it's the $200 that's getting you to quit? Human nature is weird.