Rick MacLean wanted to learn why someone with professional training in health care as a nurse, and years of experience in the field, reacted in anger to his social media post about getting his vaccines. Photo by FileArticle contentIt didn’t take long and I should have known it was coming.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentIt’s fall flu season, so for me it’s vaccination time. Last time I looked, I’ve rolled up my sleeve for a COVID-19 shot about half a dozen times. The flu shot? I’ve had that one every year for years and years.Article contentArticle contentThat’s what you do when you’re a teacher. Classrooms and meetings in your office to discuss work with a student is the equivalent of living in petri dish. Mix up germs and spread.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentU.S. health policyArticle contentPerhaps with all that in mind, I posted a note about the U.S. government’s reaction to health care – cut lots of jobs, listen to vaccine denial – then wait to see what happens next. Spoiler alert, things like whooping cough make a comeback.Article contentThen the note arrived.Article content“What is your point!? We already know CDC FDC led us in the wrong direction with Covid. If you don’t believe money rules, you are naive. Continue with your mainstream media. Uggggggg! Continue with your misaligned views. Rick. I looked up to you, but now realize you are not a journalist in the true sense. Your political views should NEVER be part of true journalism.”Article contentNow, I’ve been in the news business for pretty much my entire professional life, save for a brief, two-year dalliance with Canada’s foreign service, the diplomatic corps. So, I have a thick skin.Article contentAnd using the old tactic of attacking the person instead of the idea – it’s called an ad hominem attack, Google Donald Trump and you’ll find lots of examples – doesn’t get a rise out of me. Instead of taking that bait, I suggested the writer, an old friend, send me a personal note.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentWhy the angerArticle contentThe last time I received a note from the writer, our discussion was done in front of everyone on Facebook and some of my online friends decided to take a swing at the writer and the opinions. The writer stopped writing.Article contentThis time, I really wanted to avoid that, and learn why someone with professional training in health care as a nurse, and years of experience in the field, felt that way, and why the anger.Article contentInstead, the response came on the public part of the site and no one jumped in anger. Thanks for that.Article contentThe first part of the lengthy reply detailed the writer’s long battle with a serious health problem, and the decision to keep looking for more opinions after half a dozen doctors gave theirs. The result would have been life-changing if the writer had accepted their advice.Article contentFinally, the writer found a doctor with a plan that was acceptable and, so far, things are OK, but it’s pretty much day to day. That was good news and I said so. I also noted my feelings about that reaction to keep looking when unconvinced by expert opinion.
RICK MacLEAN: A personal attack isnt an anti-vax argument
