Vaccinations can be viewed as a blessing or a curse, but it is difficult to see the beauty of a blessing when the devil of fear controls the mind. In On Immunity by Eula Biss, fear is a major theme that seems to present itself constantly throughout the book. The fears presented with the risks of vaccinations, the filth theory and the necessity to trust others, are common societal fear that Biss is able to dwindle. In doing so, an attempt is made to allow for a clearer thought process when making the life or death decisions about getting a vaccination.
In the book On Immunity the author explains how many anti-vaccination activists believe that getting a vaccine poses a greater risk then not getting one at all. Often there are toxins such as: …show more content…
The filth theory that dates back to the early 1800’s is the belief that filth is the cause of disease. Although this theory was proven to be false there are many people who still believe the filth theory to be true. In today’s society some people still think there is still a correlate between poor unsanitary people and disease. This view causes the wealthy to feel that is it unnecessary to receive a vaccination as long as they stay away from the poor, ”For the filth theorist, this meant a retreat into the home, where heavy curtains and shutters might seal out the smell of the poor and their problems.” (pg.75)One way Biss challenge the filth theory is through explaining the fear of the transmission of AIDS.A common belief is that only gross dirty people get AIDS, when in reality anyone can get AIDS through direct contact of some body fluids from a person with AIDS. Another way Biss tries to contradict the filth theory is by discussing newer theories. The toxin theory proposes that diseases are actually caused by small microorganisms called toxins and bacteria. These small organisms,are invisible to the eye, but they invade humans and multiply to cause a disease. Therefore, the book On Immunity indicates that neither filth nor toxins are something that one should fear. Our bodies are polluted with good and bad bacteria and are full of chemicals, from our environment at birth or from naturally occurring. Thus, no one …show more content…
It is hard to trust not only when it comes to ones own life, but when responsible for a child's life as well. People are supposed to put their trust into other people knowing that the history of medicine gives one many reasons to be sceptical.Citizens, are supposed to trust their government because they are expected to have everyone’s best interest in mind. This is difficult when the use of biological warfare is used as a scare tactics in war, “We believe that modern-day Hitlers have deliberately adulterated the oral polio vaccines with anti-fertility drugs and contaminated it with certain viruses which are known to cause HIV and AIDS,” the chairman of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria maintained, urging parents to refuse vaccination.” (g.85) Citizens also have difficulty trusting doctors who are supposed to be knowledgeable, but are human and thus, have their own opinions and make mistakes. Furthermore, people fear that capitalism is creating companies that are more concerned about making a profit than they are for the safety of their citizens. Biss is able to empathize with these fears and the mistrust, by understanding that trust is something that must be earned.This being said Biss also knows that trust is crucial because human existence depends on it. Biss explains the concept called herd immunity, to express the importance of trust. Herd immunity is the
In the book On Immunity the author explains how many anti-vaccination activists believe that getting a vaccine poses a greater risk then not getting one at all. Often there are toxins such as: …show more content…
The filth theory that dates back to the early 1800’s is the belief that filth is the cause of disease. Although this theory was proven to be false there are many people who still believe the filth theory to be true. In today’s society some people still think there is still a correlate between poor unsanitary people and disease. This view causes the wealthy to feel that is it unnecessary to receive a vaccination as long as they stay away from the poor, ”For the filth theorist, this meant a retreat into the home, where heavy curtains and shutters might seal out the smell of the poor and their problems.” (pg.75)One way Biss challenge the filth theory is through explaining the fear of the transmission of AIDS.A common belief is that only gross dirty people get AIDS, when in reality anyone can get AIDS through direct contact of some body fluids from a person with AIDS. Another way Biss tries to contradict the filth theory is by discussing newer theories. The toxin theory proposes that diseases are actually caused by small microorganisms called toxins and bacteria. These small organisms,are invisible to the eye, but they invade humans and multiply to cause a disease. Therefore, the book On Immunity indicates that neither filth nor toxins are something that one should fear. Our bodies are polluted with good and bad bacteria and are full of chemicals, from our environment at birth or from naturally occurring. Thus, no one …show more content…
It is hard to trust not only when it comes to ones own life, but when responsible for a child's life as well. People are supposed to put their trust into other people knowing that the history of medicine gives one many reasons to be sceptical.Citizens, are supposed to trust their government because they are expected to have everyone’s best interest in mind. This is difficult when the use of biological warfare is used as a scare tactics in war, “We believe that modern-day Hitlers have deliberately adulterated the oral polio vaccines with anti-fertility drugs and contaminated it with certain viruses which are known to cause HIV and AIDS,” the chairman of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria maintained, urging parents to refuse vaccination.” (g.85) Citizens also have difficulty trusting doctors who are supposed to be knowledgeable, but are human and thus, have their own opinions and make mistakes. Furthermore, people fear that capitalism is creating companies that are more concerned about making a profit than they are for the safety of their citizens. Biss is able to empathize with these fears and the mistrust, by understanding that trust is something that must be earned.This being said Biss also knows that trust is crucial because human existence depends on it. Biss explains the concept called herd immunity, to express the importance of trust. Herd immunity is the