Sep
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…or does the thought of flu shots in grocery stores turn your stomach too? It’s where I go to get food and people are getting viruses, bacteria and who knows what other chemicals injected into their bodies in the same place. Might as well just eat in the bathroom.
Ick.
Ryan Says: September 26th, 2006 at 6:42 pmyeah…gross…I had to switch stores. when they started doing the shots at the super mega mart near us. Advantage: I was forced to start supporting a local market and a local pharmacy.
On the other hand I can see it from the perspective of seniors that it would be a convienent place to get the shots.
Terry Says: September 27th, 2006 at 5:53 amHmmm. I’m fixin’ to get slammed here.
Let me first make this comment and then let me explain….
Germs Are Our Friends.
Here is why. If one is NOT exposed to germs, one doesn’t develop immunity to those germs. Thus, the more one is exposed to germs, the healthier one becomes. Example: my sister was one for not letting her kids play out in the dirt and stuff and the kids get sick more often and when they do, they think they really have to be home in bed. My kids played outside and were thus exposed to dirt and stuff. In fact, I remember them throwing “cow chips” at each other. Therefore, my kids don’t get sick as often or as seriously as their cousins.
(Now, I wonder how many wonder what “cow chips” are?)
Phil Says: September 27th, 2006 at 7:10 amI never played in cow chips, but I do recall shoveling a lot of them. I do agree that being exposed to germs helps your immunity system.
Ryan Says: September 27th, 2006 at 7:34 amTerry,
I agree with you whole heartedly. As a microbiologist, I have long espoused the idea that our natural resistences are the best available to us, with two caveats. First, as we grow older our immune systems are less able to cope with new diseases and we become susceptable to secondary infections that are suprisingly lethal. Secondly, An important concept in epidemiology is “herd immunity”. This is the idea that if a certain percent of the population is immune to infection from a particular diease it will prevent the breakout of a full blown epidemic. Herd immunity should be a risk we share equally for diseases that can threaten an entire population. In these instances I think vaccination is the appropriate course.
As for minor infections, colds, and their ilk. Stay at home, feed your body well, and drink water. Your body will do the trick. Save the drugs for the big stuff.
MikeM Says: September 27th, 2006 at 8:37 amOn a related track, I just read in the paper that Howard Co., Maryland is having a “drive-thru” flu clinic in October. It will be on a two-mile loop road in a big “technology park”. Imho, it’s practical but wierd.
Terry Says: September 28th, 2006 at 5:45 amOh, thanks, Ryan!
I turned 60 this year and now you tell me that germs are no longer my friends?
Crud!