3 ms·

Doesn’t seem logical. Why protect someone with such a weak immune system so they can pass it on to the next generation? That makes society weaker.

stetrain 7y ago
Because some of us see our friends, family, and neighbors as more than a set of genes to pass on to the next generation. And if those friends, family, and neighbors are clogging up a strained medical system that could even cause harm to us when we require such services for our own well being.
stetrain 7y ago
Also large swaths of the elderly dying is unlikely to have much of an effect on strengthening our gene pool, no?
balls187 7y ago
Unfortunately all humans are born with weak immune systems, and sadly babies aren't fully vaccinated until they are ~2 years old. We protect them, because they eventually become our society. That pesky "future generations" concept. You see, our immune system is built up over time with exposure to viruses, and inoculations. Then as we age, as our health decreases, our immune system gets worse again. Personally, as I make my way through middle age, I hope that when I do reach my golden years I'm met with a little bit more compassion than "who cares about you, you're old and useless."
ziheck 7y ago
Because humans are more than their immune systems - I'd argue the Salk made society far stronger than a society requiring polio immunity as a precondition to live
jshevek 7y ago
How would you feel if I identified some quality that you have and decided you were not worth protecting because of the result it has on society?
redblacktree 7y ago
This attitude is one step away from eugenics. You know who was a big proponent? I'll let you look it up.
balls187 7y ago
Funny enough, I know someone who has an auto immune system disorder, and recently found out this person is a lead figure in setting up Covid-19 response systems for major healthcare systems in the US.

stetrain 7y ago

Because some of us see our friends, family, and neighbors as more than a set of genes to pass on to the next generation. And if those friends, family, and neighbors are clogging up a strained medical system that could even cause harm to us when we require such services for our own well being.

stetrain 7y ago

Also large swaths of the elderly dying is unlikely to have much of an effect on strengthening our gene pool, no?

balls187 7y ago

Unfortunately all humans are born with weak immune systems, and sadly babies aren't fully vaccinated until they are ~2 years old. We protect them, because they eventually become our society. That pesky "future generations" concept. You see, our immune system is built up over time with exposure to viruses, and inoculations. Then as we age, as our health decreases, our immune system gets worse again. Personally, as I make my way through middle age, I hope that when I do reach my golden years I'm met with a little bit more compassion than "who cares about you, you're old and useless."

ziheck 7y ago

Because humans are more than their immune systems - I'd argue the Salk made society far stronger than a society requiring polio immunity as a precondition to live

jshevek 7y ago

How would you feel if I identified some quality that you have and decided you were not worth protecting because of the result it has on society?

redblacktree 7y ago

This attitude is one step away from eugenics. You know who was a big proponent? I'll let you look it up.

balls187 7y ago

Funny enough, I know someone who has an auto immune system disorder, and recently found out this person is a lead figure in setting up Covid-19 response systems for major healthcare systems in the US.