David Suzuki is a yes: Anne Murray is a no. Suzuki wonders why anyone would think they know more than scientists.  Murray feels that lots of Purell is the answer.

I’ve been an admirer of Anne Murray since I was a gloomy adolescent – she was the Voice, if not Joni Mitchell. Suzuki? Despite my agreement with many of his causes, I think he can be a righteous ass. Of course, because of my irrational bias against celebrity, I’m crazed in knowing that he’s been elevated to the realm of halos and wings – the god-like Voice of all things ecologically sound and environmentally right. I know this is my problem. It irks me that he’s so smart and usually right.

I have to swing with the god-like Voice on this one. Why would one not have it? Ok, safety is the greatest concern. Thimerosal, a mercury preservative, is in the vaccine and it’s been linked to autism, but there is no sound evidence of that. There are those who believe that too much is unknown about the virus – they don’t want to be guinea pigs. Some are of the mind  that there’s not yet enough known about how the vaccine interacts with other vaccinations. There may be a fractional percentage of people who have allergic reactions (if you’re allergic to eggs, you may want to avoid the vaccine). These fears are understandable. There are those who do think they’re immune, and that’s the only reason they decline the vaccine (fear, one can comprehend –  stupidity – not so much).

I don’t really know which is best. I’ve had the shot knowing there are risks. Slim chance of being effected by one or more, but risks nonetheless.

I’m not particularly altruistic. This has been demonstrated by shameful behaviour – taking the last, or the largest, or even the only portion of wine, cheese and/or dessert. Or lying in bed in the morning until I know the coffee is ready and the cat is fed. I’m a selfish cow from time to time. But, if I were to get N1H1, I would not want to spread it. So I wash my hands, sneeze into my elbow (my brother was relieved to know that the safest location to re-direct sneezing was NOT the back of the knee), avoid shaking hands (very difficult not to). And I had the shot - I took the risk.

Sometimes the Greater Good has to win out. You know…forgoing what you feel is best for you for the benefit of many. The Greater Good. I have to swing with Suzuki on that one and admit that he may not be a righteous ass and accept the fact that he is smart and usually right. What a voice.