I am quite surprised by some of the attitudes I hear from a cross section of people who are against getting vaccinated. They seem to be against it, in spite of the widespread public urging by the medical profession and the health departments of both the province and the federal government. Do the naysayers have facts? Is there a rational argument to what the no crowd  is saying? I spent some time reading and researching on the web and for some reason I came to the conclusion that the real reason might be that it is somehow perceived as being cool if you are against the vaccine. Ok, well good luck with that!

In the meantime I have some questions I have not been able to find answers to yet.

Why is it that after walking into my bank (Royal Bank at South Trail) I could not find a hand disinfection station or even a wipe? I am sure I read somewhere that these viruses can live up to half an hour or longer on a hard surface like an ATM Keypad. (by the way congrats to Coop for putting hand cleaning methods around their store)

Why is it that at fast food restaurants the cooks wear plastic gloves but the front line person does not?

Why is it that when you go to a bar, you are handed a glass of ale which just might have germs all over it from the bartender?

Ok, so you get the shot, then you find out that you will not have immunity until 10 to 14 days. So, my question becomes does the immunity happen all of a sudden on day 10 + X or does your body ramp up and so even after  a couple of days you are already starting to be more and more immune?

Do you remember the famous argument that it is not guns that kill but the person pulling the trigger? Ok, so in this case if you deliberately decide not to get the vaccine and you get H1N1 and then pass it on to someone who dies as  a result, are you now a criminal?  (keep in mind there have been court cases of people who passed on AIDS)

I have read that wearing a mask is ineffective and useless. So how is it that sneezing into your elbow is a recommended activity?  (must be something magical about that elbow so that none of your violent air expulsion escapes the all powerful elbow)

Opening doors using the sleeves of your shirt/jacket/sweater seems to be a good idea. How long before large floppy sleeves (like the pirates or muskateers used to wear) become the fashion craze?

How come with so many people against this vaccination, there are still long lineups & talk of potential shortages?

It has also been suggested to me that this vaccine is actually a government conspiracy. Ok so to what end? The answer I was given  so they can control you! Ok and they don't already have control (think taxes, laws,education, media etc)? I also gather that governments around the world have all sat down in some underground lair and agreed on this particular ploy?

Finally, I am wondering if it is safe to enjoy my favourite chinese buffet style restaurant. I mean, what if someone breaths on the chow mien or sneezes near the ginger beef?

Update November 2, 2009 - It appears that the urgency is now being downplayed.  Political fiasco?