Is it time to consider compulsory vaccinations?

I'm not happy with "forcing" people to be immunized just because they're breathing - even if it's the only way to keep them breathing. If they want to die, let 'em die.However, I have no problem with requiring people to be immunized before they qualify for jobs where they're in contact with the public - health services, food services, Wal-mart, plumbing, etc. If they want to infect other people, sorry, no.

I'm not particularly happy with people inflicting their stupidity on their children either (though I suppose that can't be avoided in one form or another). No public schools without vaccinations (and no accreditation for private schools that don't require vaccinations), no sports teams, no extracurricular activities of any kind.... There are a lot of loopholes to be filled.

If people think ahead that their children won't be able to get a job, I think that will motivate them.

I'm saying maybe there should be. We have silly things like work permits for people who were unfortunate enough to be born somewhere else. Why not have work permits for sensible reasons too? As I said, there are a lot of loopholes. Let's plug all of them.

How is protecting your citizens at home "less reach" than invading somebody two continents over? Talk about a crazy extension of "not in my back yard".

If the people have no sense when it comes to government, how can you expect them to have any sense when it comes to vaccination?

I too want the government to have limited power but I want that power to be used for sensible purposes. Instead of keeping healthy people out of the country, I'd like to see them keep sick people out of public areas. One way to do that is by limiting access to unvaccinated people.

Of course perfection is impossible. But as somebody else has pointed out, the more people who are vaccinated the harder it is for a disease to spread. You don't have to take out every domino to prevent a domino effect. You only have to widen the gaps.

The period isn't a signal to stop reading. Here's the rest of the post again:

quote:

---

But as somebody else has pointed out, the more people who are vaccinated the harder it is for a disease to spread. You don't have to take out every domino to prevent a domino effect. You only have to widen the gaps.

---

Have you noticed the term "critical mass" in this thread? We don't need to strive for 100%. We only need to strive for "enough".

And the fact that we don't currently have enough suggests that we need to do something more than nothing.

What isn't clear is what you think we ought to do next. You seem to be arguing against everything that anybody suggests.

The only thing I've argued for is mandatory vaccinations for people taking advantage of public programs. Maybe I have a wider view of what constitutes "public" than you do.

Maybe you can point out somebody on this thread that you agree with.

I haven't said anything about casting aspersions. Nor have I asked for an apology. I simply pointed out that you seem to be poking holes in {almost} every suggestion without offering (m)any constructive suggestions yourself.Edited by ringo, : Splling.

You have the right to be wrong. You don't have the right to do wrong. Your right to self-determination ends at the tip of somebody else's self-determination.