Health in our Nation

What is going on with our nation and the notion of what is healthy. This week the head of the CDC was fired and escorted out of her office by security because she wouldn’t fall in line with what the White House was telling her to do. I realize her job is appointed by the White House, but her job was to run an organization that is suppose to look out for the health of the nation. That is a science backed thing, not a political feeling. At the same time, and in the weeks prior, others have left the CDC for the same reason.

The fact that our health secretary is a vaccine skeptic makes this not surprising in the least. I am trying to understand how he was even granted the post. (OK, I know how he got the post, but again it was political, not because he is qualified). The USA is not a country that has a majority of people that are skeptical of vaccines and have issues with medication. Most people have no issues with it at all, and will comply with what the CDC suggests. So, why do we place someone in charge that has little to no respect for what the people want?

Now, some of you out there may be saying, “But what the people want isn’t always what they need.” You are right, sometimes. Or you may be saying, “The people have been lead astray by (fill in your person/group name here) and as a result we need a course correction in this area.” And I will say, that is also true, in some cases. But what the CDC does is scientific. It has documented proof that has been researched, vetted, examined, and more before it is give out to the people. It isn’t like some of the “studies” that the skeptics like to pull out that have all been proved lies, or researched and proved wrong, or shown to have no scientific basis (or very little basis). Yet these are the people we want running the organizations that are to supply the people with wisdom about how to be healthy.

Now, for those of you that are anti-vaccine – I have no issue with you as a person. That is a choice you can make for you and your family. But when scientific studies show that people live longer, healthier and more productive lives when and where vaccines are used, don’t tell me that I am wrong. The science doesn’t back you up, it does back me up. This is one of the reasons I have health care is to get taken care of. Maybe we should eliminate health care for those that don’t want to take preventive care of themselves. Or maybe they should have to pay more. Those that fall into this category also tends to fall into the “health care is not a right”, I would think they would approve of this mindset. At least until it affects them directly. I am not saying that universal health care is what we need. In fact I don’t think that at all. I think that all should have the ability to get health care, but that it isn’t something that should be required nor something that should be given to everyone for free.

I just got a couple vaccines the other day. After some blood work that was done for my yearly physical I was shown to be lacking in a few areas, and they asked me if I wanted to get those vaccines. I said, “If my health plan covers it then sure.” And I know I am a healthier person because of it. I am less likely to now contract those things, and I am less likely to spread it to others.

Sorry for the rant – I am just getting sick of politics playing a role in areas where politics shouldn’t be playing a role.