White House working with Facebook and Twitter to tackle anti-vaxxers

A growing number of anti-vaccine activists, emboldened by their rising social media following, have helped the movement gain strength in the United States.

I'll use my 80/20 reasoning. If 80% of medical scientists say the vaccine is needed, I'll believe them. I'll also look at sources. I generally trust information from The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, leading medical schools, but distrust that coming from 8chan and random internet posters.

And distrust information from nations that use media of all forms to further rile the easily riled in nations with bits of democracy remaining in those troll nation's ongoing attempts to further weaken democracy.

Weaponized Health Communication: Twitter Bots and Russian Trolls Amplify the Vaccine Debate

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137759/

Caveat:. the above link came from the US government during the Trump era.

donald’s idiots doing what their master did well, spewing lies!!!!

I'll use my 80/20 reasoning. If 80% of medical scientists say the vaccine is needed, I'll believe them.

You can believe them, I don’t and won’t. People should have a choice whether they want to get the vaccine or not and should never be pressured by the media or public to get something they don’t want. I’ll wait a few years first before I take the plunge.

People should have a choice whether they want to get the vaccine or not 

And they do have a choice.

should never be pressured by the media

Pressured by the media? Media-phobia is strong among the alt right. Except when it's their alt right media, then they believe what's reported.

And they do have a choice.

We know that and no amount of vaccine shaming is going to change that.

Pressured by the media? Media-phobia is strong among the alt right.

Yup, with good and valid reasons.

Except when it's their alt right media,

Because it’s not the conservative media that is canceling, blocking, deleting and censoring liberals. So....

People should have a choice whether they want to get the vaccine or not and should never be pressured by the media or public to get something they don’t want.

The "pressure" consist on saying that an irrational choice is irrational, but if people willingly choose to have it then this is part of the consequences they should be able to assume.

If you want to believe in fantasy based conspiracies about scientists, doctors and nurses sacrifice their own health and of their friends and family just so some company president can get more money, you have that right, but so are other people to consider that completely out of reality. If you consider that to be pressured then it would be much more productive to re-evaluate your beliefs than expecting everybody else to sympathize with the fantasy.

We know that and no amount of vaccine shaming is going to change that.

So you’ve nothing to complain about then. The media clearly has no effect on you ( and whoever ‘we’ means) You needn’t worry about it.

Only 1 opinion is allowed, all others are censored and excluded.

Facts should always win over "opinion."

Social media platforms should post factual information "bubbles" on any posts that contain non-factual information and remove any linking to those posts and not allow any advertising on those non-factual posts. If 5 people see them, fine. It is when there are 500+ people seeing factually incorrect words that the problem happens.

Don't let them make any money.

Don't let them spread.

Pay attention to posts that have the most followers.

Remove accounts that constantly post non-factual claims.

If you want to post garbage, you are free to use other platforms.

It's amazing to me that when people are offered the choice of being pro-science or pro-ignorance, they actively choose being pro-ignorance. And choosing to believe facebook posts, youtube videos and fox news pundits over scientists and doctors is just mind-numbingly pro-ignorant.

So you’ve nothing to complain about then. The media clearly has no effect on you

Exactly!

Yet you don’t want women to have choices about what to do with their own bodies.

Not and Late term has nothing to do with getting vaccinated. Different topic altogether.

I tried that in the 80s and consumed and endless amount of colorful food additives without a care in the world because the "experts" assured us that it was all "tested and safe"

Same thing with margarine, it was the health choice for 20 years and then they switched their theory and said that transfats are extremely unhealthy.

Monumental false equivalency. What you're criticizing here is mostly marketing and lobbies, not scientists.

"We are talking to them ... so they understand the importance of misinformation and disinformation and how they can get rid of it quickly."

I have a statistical mortality rate of 0.3% if infected with the Corona virus.

Have I had an asymptomatic infection?

Why have a vaccine before knowing this?

I like choices in my life, not having to follow the crowds and it has served me a lot better than my peers!

Why have a vaccine before knowing this?

I like choices in my life, not having to follow the crowds and it has served me a lot better than my peers!

I agree.

I have a statistical mortality rate of 0.3% if infected with the Corona virus.

Have I had an asymptomatic infection?

Why have a vaccine before knowing this?

Because statistically speaking is hugely more likely for you not to have been infected, the vaccine have negligible risks (specially compared with the COVID infection) and it is cheaper than getting even a single antibody test with sensitivity enough to eliminate the possibility of a false negative.

I like choices in my life, not having to follow the crowds and it has served me a lot better than my peers!

If your choices are irrational then it is as much your right to take it as is it the right of other people to say the are irrational, if you want to go against the scientific consensus you should be aware of this consequence and not give it importance.

They were wrong before so why should I trust them now?

Science makes a mistake so you decide it can never be trusted. I hope you never ride bicycles, or get in cars or airplanes. And how are you using a computer when it has radiation coming from it and may give you cancer?! That's crazy!

If your choices are irrational then it is as much your right to take it as is it the right of other people to say the are irrational, if you want to go against the scientific consensus you should be aware of this consequence and not give it importance.

Well, mine and others that have a strong intuition have served us quite well. You guys can sell it to the people that are more susceptible to your debates and point of view.

I like choices in my life, not having to follow the crowds and it has served me a lot better than my peers!

You mean like when your parents chose to vaccinate you when you were a baby and then you didn't get diphtheria, tetanus or polio and now you're alive and well enough to post anti-vaccine opinions on internet forums?

Well, mine and others that have a strong intuition have served us quite well. You guys can sell it to the people that are more susceptible to your debates and point of view.

Not points of view, evidence and data. Irrational intuition is still irrational, specially when it can be proved to be much less likely to be right, if you can accept it to be irrational why complain so much when being told it is so?

Well, mine and others that have a strong intuition have served us quite well. 

Tell us again how Qanon is very sensible, Trump would be re-elected for a second term, and the GOP would keep the Senate.

Tell us again how Qanon is very sensible, Trump would be re-elected for a second term, and the GOP would keep the Senate.

How does this in any way relate to having the right and choice when it comes to NOT wanting taking the vaccine? Lol, you guys.

Methinks the lady doth protest too much.

Will get the vaccine and definitely wears a mask.

No long term proof that vaccines are ready yet, side effects and ability against mutations.

obvious somethings are being hidden from people, otherwise information wouldn’t be censored

No long term proof that vaccines are ready yet, side effects and ability against mutations.

Either you make no sense, or you believe time travel is possible. How long time do you think vaccines have been used for humans to be able to have long term proof of safety, a decade?

Side effects and neutralization ability against mutations are being constantly reported, so there is no censoring at all. Science is not instantaneous, trials on cells are quick and have been already finished, animals take longer so they will probably be ready in a few weeks and be reported, and epidemiological studies on humans are expensive and complicated, but not having reports on clusters of reinfections is a very good thing.

No long term proof that vaccines are ready yet, side effects and ability against mutations.

obvious somethings are being hidden from people, otherwise information wouldn’t be censored

Bingo. Like I said, I’ll wait. Others want to take it, go for it.

You can believe them, I don’t and won’t. People should have a choice whether they want to get the vaccine or not

I recall that when Trump was still president, you were applauding his supposedly swift action on getting vaccines developed. I also recall that you had faith that the Coronavirus would go away once people got vaccinated.

Why the change of heart?

Fauci, though I don't care for him, should be the one in charge in trying to persuade the public to be pro-vaccine since he seems to know what is going on. Secondly, Zuckerburg and Dorsey need to take it with proof.

I recall that when Trump was still president, you were applauding his supposedly swift action on getting vaccines developed.

Yes, I did. And for the people that want, that need to take it they should, but I won’t, don’t need or want to.

I also recall that you had faith that the Coronavirus would go away once people got vaccinated.

No, that was Biden and the other liberals and now they want you to wear 2-3 masks on top of the one we already wear even after you get vaccinated? Lol....uh-huh....

The commonality is the control of one’s body.

Late Term has nothing to do with the topic. If that comes up, gladly, for now stay on the vaccine topic.

You have double standards

No, not at all, I just don’t want to get off on a tangent

I recall that when Trump was still president, you were applauding his supposedly swift action on getting vaccines developed. I also recall that you had faith that the Coronavirus would go away once people got vaccinated.

Bass and others complimented Trump for his part in getting vaccines out that they do not trust.

It’s one of the strangest compliments I’ve ever read.

The partisan mind works in mysterious ways.

for the people that want, that need to take it they should, but I won’t, don’t need or want to.

I suppose you also refuse to buy liability insurance for your car.

the Coronavirus would go away once people got vaccinated.

No, that was Biden and the other liberals 

No, that was Trump. Biden has consistently said that it's going to take a long time, and that there isn't a silver bullet to stop Covid. Which means cooperation is essential. Which you don't agree with because it somehow goes against your rugged American individualism.

they want you to wear 2-3 masks on top of the one we already wear

You don't wear a mask. I'm sure the people in Fukuoka think you're a real hero.

Well, it's clearly understandable why the Trump supporters won't get the vaccine....

They already took the Trump Clorox cure - they've inoculated...

And from their viewpoint, why chance getting some Alien-DNA...it's in all our drugs...

Lastly, tin foil-lined MAGA hats work a whole lot better when going by those dangerous 5G network towers...

I suppose you also refuse to buy liability insurance for your car.

I can always buy a new car.

No, that was Trump. Biden has consistently said that it's going to take a long time

And Trump got it down within a year, even Joe and Mika had to give Trump some palm. I applauded it, but I don’t and won’t take it, don’t need it. I’ll wait. That’s my choice as an American individual.

You don't wear a mask. I'm sure the people in Fukuoka think you're a real hero.

Perhaps, I tend not to worry what others think. Besides, when I’m in Japan I’m in the countryside so.....

Besides, when I’m in Japan I’m in the countryside so.....

Were you in Texas where the oil/gas industry and its Republican Party failed y'all? Or back in Germany.

Anti-vaxxers are irresponsible and delusional.

No platform for them needed.

Only 1 opinion is allowed, all others are censored and excluded.

And yet, the far right get their say each and every day.

And Trump got it down within a year

Trump let 400,000 people die within a year.

And in spite of anything Trump did, the vaccine makers came up with vaccines through their own efforts and funding, through no assistance or motivation from Trump.

I suppose you also refuse to buy liability insurance for your car.

I can always buy a new car.

Wanna know why Trump supporters don't get the vaccine? Here's a good example...

They don't even understand how personal liability insurance works...

I recall that when Trump was still president, you were applauding his supposedly swift action on getting vaccines developed. I also recall that you had faith that the Coronavirus would go away once people got vaccinated.

I also recall you saying that you wouldn't touch the vaccine with a 10 foot pole since it was developed under Trump's administration. Was there some tweaking by Pfizer over the past few months to make it Democrat-safe to make you want to be first in line?

This is excellent news.

Thank goodness Trump, a big time anti-vaxxer himself, is finally out of the picture. He left office without any foundation at all for the incoming Biden administration to work with in terms of helping the American people combat this killer pandemic. It goes without saying that the election of Pres. Biden has undoubtedly saved countless American lives.

The far right are rarely silenced.

Excuse me? ROFL! Tell that to Trump

Trump can still:

--get an interview on Fox, Newsmax, OANN, Mark Levin, Infowars, etc. anytime he wants.

--hold a MAGA rally for his zealous cult followers.

--start up his own social media platform.

--stand on a street corner in an old trench coat and spew his nonsense.

He hasn't been silenced.

I also recall you saying that you wouldn't touch the vaccine with a 10 foot pole since it was developed under Trump's administration. 

Then your recollection skills are pretty poor. I never said such a thing.

There was concern among some posters about Trump pressuring the FDA to cut corners to release the vaccine before the election. That strikes me as a reasonable concern.

There was concern among some posters about Trump pressuring the FDA to cut corners to release the vaccine before the election.

I was one of those posters. I am not against vaccines whatsoever. I'm against vaccines that are forced through approvals due to a president desperate gain a win so as not to lose due to his poor pandemic response.

 You have double standards when it comes to women having control over their own bodies.

That's an odd argument to bring in, as anybody pushing vaccination or requiring it for certain jobs or travel - but who also is "pro-choice" - is the one being contradictory. The crux of the argument against abortion is that there are two bodies involved, and the smaller one has no voice.

If you assume the position that abortion only involves one body (the woman), and support "my body, my choice" - then it would be inconsistent to criticize people who choose not to be vaccinated. Their body, their choice. If you whine "but, but... their choice will affect others - then welcome to society.

Smoking, drinking, bad driving, drug use.... many of our actions affect others in far more dangerous ways than lack of a Covid vaccination will.