Flu Shot Accomplished!

I brought the Beloved Upstairs Relative (BUR) for his flu shot today. People must have stayed away in droves, because we were in and out of the clinic in half an hour. Instead of the usual cattle call, it was just a small group of elderly people.

But of course I have something to complain about! Anyone who knows me (or reads my rantings) knows that I'm not a fan of government interference. I'm always on the lookout for the thin end of wedge (I prefer "enlightened self interest" to "paranoia"), and it is absolutely chilling when the government threatens physicians with fines and jail time for not following orders. (After all, physicians are too greedy, stupid and corrupt to ever suggest to young, healthy people that they're not likely to die for lack of a flu shot. Gag.)

Public Health Commissioner Christine Ferguson said the state, facing an unparalleled shortage of flu shots, had to direct vaccinations to people most likely to die from the illness, such as very young children, seniors over 65 and people with chronic medical conditions.

"It's not rationing," she said. "It's being rational about how to reduce the number of deaths that could result from a serious flu season."

Yes, it is rationing. A frosted dog turd is not a wedding cake*. Insisting that said frosted dog turd is not actually a frosted dog turd but a wedding cake does not make it a wedding cake. So let's call a spade a spade, Ms. Ferguson. (Note that it's not Dr. Ferguson; she's an attorney. Surprise, surprise.)

So what's next? Fining and jailing healthy people who have the unmitigated gumption to ask their physicans for a flu shot? Aren't they just as "guilty"? After all, people are too greedy, selfish and corrupt to pass on such a thing unless they are coerced. (Gag.)

I don't remember where I first heard the dog turd thing, so thank you, Mr. Author Unknown.

Comments

[doc Russia]

The reason for it is to counter bribery of physicians. Yes, there are a few shady or burnt-out docs who would be willing to take 30 seconds out of their time and administer a flu shot to someone who would not be considered real high risk for $400 in non-taxable cash.

btw, You realize that this is blackmarket medicine, which is exactly what will happen if we allow the government to take over medicine.

[honda-radio]

Thx! :)