Beck and Limbaugh weigh in on swine flu

Media commentators Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh have apparently fallen prey to the loony websites of the anti-vaccine folks and have begun campaigning against the swine flu vaccine program, according to the liberal group Media Matters for America.

Beck said on one show that he would do "the exact opposite" of what the government recommended and that his inclination is to attend a swine flu party and catch the virus now before it has a chance to mutate. He wouldn't take the vaccine because "you don't know if this is going to cause neurological damage like it did in the 1970s" (Sept. 30)--a prospect that has, incidentally been totally discredited. He also said, "People just feel in their gut, 'I don't trust these people any more...' They think our government could be so incompetent that they don't have any clue as to what they are doing." (Sept. 29)

Limbaugh addressed Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, saying "I am not going to take it, precisely because you are now telling me I must....I don't want to take your vaccine. I don't get flu shots." Later, he added that if "you have some idiot government official demanding, telling me I must take this vaccine, I'll never take it." (Oct. 7) On the same show, he said, "The next time you hear, 'The government says...' don't believe it. You'll be healthier, trust me."

Both commentators are conservatives, but this is not a liberal versus conservative issue. This is a science versus nonsense issue. There are a ton of wacky websites out there--I know, I get e-mails from their readers all the time--telling folks that the flu is not dangerous, that the vaccine is experimental, untested, toxic, loaded with dangerous chemicals, and so one and so forth. Many of them even deny the efficacy of any vaccines, ignoring the fact that their use has virtually wiped out polio, smallpox and a host of other diseases and are universally accepted, along with sanitation, as one of the two greatest medical developments of the 20th century. A few claim that all you need to do is take supplements and live a healthy lifestyle--as though that would have prevented the polio epidemic of the 1940s and 1950s. Some even claim that the swine flu virus was created in a laboratory and released into the world so that pharmaceutical companies could make a fortune by selling vaccines. Others claim that the government is pushing the vaccines because former Vice President Dick Cheney and other government officials now own substantial portions of the companies that make them.

Enough already! All of those claims are patently false. The swine flu vaccine is made in the same plants as the seasonal flu vaccine, by the same manufacturers using the same techniques. It's just a slightly different virus. In fact, it will probably be a component of the seasonal flu vaccine next winter. That vaccine has now been given to hundreds of millions of people, with no side effects worse than a sore arm, and has been proved time and again to be between 50% and 80% effective. The only exception is in people who are allergic to eggs, who should not take the vaccine. Supplements and a healthy lifestyle may be good for you, but they won't ward off the flu. And if you really think there is a government conspiracy, just remember how hard it has been in the past for even minor conspiracies to be kept hidden. It's amazing how the same people who think the government is incompetent also think that the swine flu campaign is a vast, secret government conspiracy. You can't have it both ways.

I have no qualms about getting the vaccine myself, I would make sure my kids received it if they were still young, and I will make sure my elderly parents receive it when it becomes available to them.

-- Thomas H. Maugh II

Comments

[Mathew Tooley]

Lighten up. You are making them sound like horrible people, while making yourself sound like the most sane man on the planet. Granted, yes, not taking a vaccine is somewhat foolish. There are websites of crazy people telling others not to take it. But it isn't about the vaccine. From the point of both Rush and Beck, it is an issue of trusting the government. Yes, in some cases we should trust the government. But not blindly, as many do today. I for one would rather wait for a little while to see the potential side effects of the vaccine first. Its not that I am skeptical there are toxins in it, but you would not buy a car without knowing something about it first. And yes, vaccines have solved many illness crises in our nation and others. But those are different vaccines. You cannot compare the efficacy of one vaccine to prove why one should take another. Polio and Smallpox are entirely different diseases than Swine Flu, and there are vaccines that have caused harmful effects as well.

[Chocolate covered french fries in heavy syrup]

This is liberal virus! I will not get the vaccine!! Thank God we didn't get the Olympics and I hope we never get healthcare either! USA USA USA!!!!!

[Throckmorton J Fooneybar]

I won't say what's going through my head because it isn't very nice to think think that about two such fine gentlemen.

[Lance Newell]

Oh come on folks,this is Rush the drug addict,he never has had problems with taking Oxy,and Beck the nut case.
What more needs to be said...

[William]

It's official. Conservatives, as a group, are anti-science. There's no other way to describe it. This juvenile responses to a medical issues pretty much sums up the mindset that modern day conservatives bring to almost any discussion.

Of course, it's not simply about what they choose to do. It's about the message that they spread to their cultists via the airwaves, who make their decisions based on their commands, and who also spread the misinformation.

Beck actively spread misinformation about vaccines. Anyone who attempts to qualify, or excuse such a thing, needs to be deprogrammed immediately.

[Alex]

I think the main point being missed in all of this accusations is the bigger issue of "is the current administration competent enough?" and the answer is no. I believe that is the main point Mr. Beck and Mr Limbaugh are trying to make. The current administration is highly inept and cannot be trusted, period.

[Brooklyn Girl]

Oh, I see, when it comes to flu vaccines, we should not trust the government, but when it comes to sending our sons and daughters to war in Iraq under questionable evidence of weapons of mass destruction, we should follow blindly or be labeled unpatriotic. Interesting logic.

[Mark Ricciarelli]

Way to discredit the swine flu "conspiracy" with spectacular evidence of nothing except your opinion. People aren't buying this crap anymore blindingly running to the light like a bunch of bugs. No body is drinking the koolaid anymore. Do some real research and site some referances for god sake of you are going to tell half truths. That way it's more believable. Good job rooting for big pharma like they need a bail out. You did a fantastic job of twisting the truth again. Matter of fact you should club a seal on the head and hit the hash pipe; you could be the next POTUS.

[Steven Barrett]

Matthew Tooley overlooked one key thing: Ratings. Both Beck and Limbaugh stand to gain more listeners and viewers when they come out with strong statements against taking the flu medicine. And let's not kid ourselves, ratings are the mothers' milk of the radio/television shock jock empires; which of course, bring in that other mother's milk more often than not associated with politics which is the original schtick of those two to begin with. I'd hate like hell to be either one of them if somebody's child dies because they took these shock jocks' word and didn't get the shots for their lost child. You can't be human and sluff those kinds of losses off as part of the risk one takes in that line of work. I doubt they would. But why risk it? More people ought to call in and ask them.

[Stool E. Mathews]

Keep it up, Unlike Beck and Rush you are one of the most sane people in this planet. Those two talking heads are real horrible people. We should trust our government, they know there are no potential side effects and we should rush and get vaccinated before they run out of it. Just think if you want to buy a car you should rush and buy it before they are all gone. Vaccines have always been safe and nobody have ever suffer any side effects from them.
Polio,Small pox and Swine flu vaccines are all the same.

[Mark]

YES!! Please listen to Limbaugh and Beck folks! *cough* Social Darwinism *cough* purging the gene pool *cough*. These are the most enlightened minds of the modern conservative movement. If you are a big fan of these men, run don't walk to the nearest "Swine Flu Party" and get yourself a big ol' heapin' helpin' of Swine Flu. It will be even a bigger event than the tea parties!!! Yeee Haaaaaa, let's go Bubba, it's time to catch us some swine flu.

[Kelsi L]

I don't understand why and how these guys are successful in reaching people with their ideas of a government conspiracy in regards to what is researched and tested MEDICAL advice. Why not listen to your doctor instead of Rush Limbaugh when it comes to your own health?

[Dave]

I think the bigger problem here is that there has been two failures. First, scientists have failed at educating the public so they understand what's going on. Second, the public has failed at actually finding out facts for themselves rather than take what these conservatives are putting out. It seems that any celebrity can say anything and there are mobs of people that will believe it no matter what facts are out there that clearly refute it. The H1N1 vaccine is just like any other flu vaccine. While I don't feel anyone should be forced into taking a vaccine, I think it's important to point out that not getting the vaccine not only endangers yourself, but those around you since you will likely spread it to others if you are infected.

When the dust settles there is a point to remember. You don't go to a hair stylist to get your car fixed. We have invested a tremendous amount of money in the training of individuals to make critical decisions regarding the health of the nation. They may not always be right, but I would take the word of a physician or research scientist over that of conservative talk show hosts in any matter that concerns my health any day of the week. To do otherwise is irresponsible and, well, just plain silly.

[Dan Roberts]

I find it incredibly humorous and telling that the L.A. Times, a news source, would quote Media Matters, a web page that’s stated purpose is “comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media.” I.E. “If it isn’t liberal, it’s a lie!’

Pftttt

[Robert Latkany, MD]

To a read about a conversation with bioethicist George Annas on forced flu immunizations go to:

http://www.medpie.com/Conversations/featured-articles/annas.html

[Brian]

Obviously LA Times refuses to do their research- at least for Glen Beck.

Last night on FOX he had two doctors on (with one being a noted expert on vacines), one was PRO Vacine and the other was against it and they both civily went at it for most of the show talking at a level above that of the LA Times editors. Beck emphasized that the can't make a decision for anyone but that he was only providing the information at hand.

If you criticize Beck, then criticize his "experts" and show that your "experts" are better then his "experts".

[Linda]

Dave,
Actually, I have shared offices with several physicians and they know as much about the vaccines as we do. They only know what the drug rep tells them and their own personal experience with their patients. The issue here is we know that there have been side effects from other vaccines, many people are not insane because they want to wait and let someone elses child test it first.

It is not ok to follow what an entertainer whether it's Rush, Beck, Sarandon, Clooney, Penn, etc.,etc. People need to wise up and try some independent thought for a change.

[Rob]

You liberals love to put down conservative voices as "loony". You just anger us and make us hate you more.

[Katherine]

Recently Rush devoted a segment of his daily diatribe to poking fun at Katherine Sebelius's instructions to sneeze/cough into one's sleeve. Of course, rather than stating that you wouldn't need the scary scary vaccine if you could prevent the illness from spreading, he tried to personally attack Ms. Selelius claiming that she must think we're all so stupid that we don't know how to sneeze properly. All his dittoheads on his website chimed in to say how stupid it was. They too, ignored the part where she said that sneezing into tissues that could be tossed into the garbage would be the preferred method.

So, a little over a week ago I was waiting to get my hair cut when some guy let a big juicy sneeze fly. No sleeve, no hand, no tissue even approached his germ spewing orifice. I thought he must have been caught by surprise and turned my head to look when he repeated his saliva assault. I guess he must listen to Rush. Anyway, I must have caught a couple of his germs and got sick. Unfortunately, because I have a pretty severe case of Sarcoidosis and asthma, that cold sent me to the emergency room in respiratory distress. Now, Mr. Spew just went on his merry germ-laden way, but I'm stuck with a big fat hospital bill courtesy of his ignorance.

Message to Rush and Beck: Stop. Just stop because you are making people like me sick. Literally.

[Darren Eaton]

These comments aren't even posted unless approved by the auther. What a JOKE!

[Ronnie Roark]

I watched the show in question, and I am stunned at the inaccuracy of this article. It is so wrong there is almost no place to start. Mr. Maugh, you should actually watch the segment and come back to this venue and beg off on some sort of petit mal. For one thing, the two experts, who were there to debate the isssue were, first, the Fox news MD (for the vaccine) and some wacko, signaling to any serious viewer that they had to dig so deep to find someone against the vaccine that they had to call on the tinfoil hat crowd. That speaks volumes to a critical viewer. Beck implied that he and his family will take the vaccine, though he made a point of keeping mum on the subject. This was a pro-vaccine segment all the way, though with a light touch. Shame on you! Please repost this article in the Huffington Post.

[Scott A. Dubrul D.C.]

I must comment on the concept of the flu vaccine being safe..especially the H1N1. Please provide the public with the tests for short and long term effectiveness. Please provide the public with the tests that showed these are safe. Finally, please let the public know that if anything happens as a result of the vaccine, there is no recourse. Simply put, provide evidence that this works.

Scott A. Dubrul D.C.

[cj]

To quote a great man, "YOU LIE!" My goodness Mr. Maugh you had to cut-n-paste wildly to create this piece of tripe.

[Dave Crawley]

The first poor piece of reporting was to base the premise of the article on a summery from media matters. When you take info from a biased source, you get biased reporting. Like most critics of Fox news, they don't watch the shows. This makes those who do watch the show very skeptical of reporters because, had you seen the show, you knew that the premise was false.

What I got from the show is that vaccines are not made in the USA because of the risk of lawsuits has driven the manufacturing offshore where the ingredient’s quality are not controlled by the FDA. Remember the tainted ingredients that found their way into dog food? When a big order goes out to make more product, does the quality go up or down?

[ArtFart]

Beck's and Limbaugh's delusions of grandeur continue to accelerate. Evidently they now believe they're qualified to practice medicine.