Anti-vaxxers and alt-right groups team up to stoke fears on COVID-19 vaccines

[TomCADem]

Source: LA Times

As California and the nation begin rolling out coronavirus vaccines, anti-vaccine campaigners are aligning with small-business owners and far-right groups, an effort that some experts fear could supercharge mistrust of government at a crucial moment for public health.

In California, the movement toward businesses is being led by a group calling itself Freedom Angels 2.0. Originally founded by three women in response to a 2019 state bill tightening vaccine requirements for attendance in schools, the organization was best known for its protests at the state Capitol against that measure and other vaccine legislation, often filling hallways and disrupting hearings with children in tow.

But as the coronavirus has spread, so has its message — encompassing a more mainstream, values-driven ideology that centers on government overreach. That broader approach has helped the organization interest a new audience in the business community, along with others worried about schools, the economy and the social toll of isolation for seniors.

"There is this strategic mission creep into other groups that might feel disaffected," said Richard Carpiano, a professor of public policy and sociology at UC Riverside, who has followed the anti-vaccine movement.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/anti-vaxxers-and-alt-right-groups-team-up-to-stoke-fears-on-covid-19-vaccines/ar-BB1c304e?ocid=hplocalnews

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Is this a new type of bipartisanship or is Russia working extremists on both sides once again?

[NurseJackie]

8. That's one way of looking at it, but it would be wrong. The vaccine won't be equally effective in...

That's one way of looking at it, but it would be wrong. The vaccine won't be equally effective in all people. Some unfortunate people will only have limited benefit, while others will (for one reason or another) will not be able to take the vaccine at all. These are the most vulnerable and the ones who will suffer if they come in contact with the willfully ignorant who refuse to get the vaccine.

When everyone gets the vaccine (ie: the herd) those who cannot receive it are STILL protected because the virus cannot easily transmit between and along those in "the herd" who also surround the unfortunate people.

[Lonestarblue]

2. Great news--more vaccine for the rest of us.

That sounds heartless, but I’m just tired of all the disinformation and the sheer resistance to facts. If these people choose to believe fantasy, that’s their choice and any consequences for their health and lives rest with them. If the anti-vaxxers refuse the vaccine, that’s their problem. The rest of us will be vaccinated and many of us will continue to wear masks in public because we can still get the virus, it just will not be as serious.

[DSandra]

3. Russia seems to want to destroy America

And the far right and other extremist groups are certainly helping him to do it. Seriously, how are we going to get out of the COVID mess without cooperation from much of society? Might as well cede the future to China as America’s economy will never be able to fully recover.

[Javaman]

4. the woos and the wantons nt

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

5. Vaccinate those who want it first. Let Darwin take care of the anti-vaxxers and alt-right.

Unfortunately, it means their families -- and especially children, who aren't old enough to know what their parents are doing -- risk the chance of dying from the disease. But don't mess with their rights by requiring masks and widespread vaccines.

[Lancero]

6. Genetic engineering was used to create these vaccines, Anti-GMO activists will likely join them soon

Though I suppose that the anti-vax and anti-gmo crowds tend to blend together quite a bit, so... Might already have happened.

[bdamomma]

7. Sorry for saying this

but not sorry, let them perish.

[The Mouth]

9. Anyone who doesn't get the vaccine

should be prohibited from going into any hospital or any public space.

No vaccine, no healthcare, no public parks, no courts or schools

[orangecrush]

10. Correct. On both counts.

[Aussie105]

12. Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing!

Sometimes . . .

Choices:
1. Want a good chance of surviving the pandemic? Wash hands, social distancing, avoid crowds, wear a mask, get vaccinated as soon as possible. Wear a 'I got vaxxed!' badge.

2. Want a good chance of dying in the pandemic? Bleat about your rights, don't do anything preventative, hang around with other mouth breathers, talk about the vaccine having mind control chips and will turn you into (more of a) zombie, well - you know what to do!

Then after a lot of vaccinations and deaths, some regrettable, others predictable, the 'herd immunity' will peak at 95% and the virus will just stop being much of a problem. Give it a year or two . . .

[ck4829]

13. K&R