You do realize that this is exactly the kind of "mandate" we are talking about with the HPV vaccine, right? If you homeschooled, went to a private school that didn't require the vaccine, or chose the opt-out provision, you didn't have to get the vaccination. That is not saying the mandate was the right way to go - just that it is exactly the same mechanism that is used for other vaccines. It's not like the state of Texas was going to go house-to-house and track down all of the young girls, then strap them down to get their injections (although that may be what some have surmised from Bachmann's comments).
“You do realize that this is exactly the kind of “mandate” we are talking about with the HPV vaccine, right? If you homeschooled, went to a private school that didn’t require the vaccine, or chose the opt-out provision, you didn’t have to get the vaccination. That is not saying the mandate was the right way to go - just that it is exactly the same mechanism that is used for other vaccines. It’s not like the state of Texas was going to go house-to-house and track down all of the young girls, then strap them down to get their injections (although that may be what some have surmised from Bachmann’s comments).”
NO they are NOT the same class of pathogen. Whooping cough, measles, diptheria, rubella, polio,etc. that are mandated before attendance at public schools are all pathogenic diseases that are spread by contact of a casual nature and are very contagious. All of these pathogens can cause ACUTE and immediate life threatening contagious disease.
HPV is spread by sexual contact....which I don’t believe is supposed to be taking place at school. Also, it is not a fulminating pathogen that has ACUTE and immediate life threatening effects and is easily spread. So, the HPV vaccine is NOT in the same class as these other pathogens. It is NOT an ACUTE public health hazard....it is a long term potential danger that won’t manifest itself for years. It is overstepping the boundaries of medical necessity to even remotely “mandate” this vaccination. Also, there ARE MORAL implications that cannot be ignored. IF such a vaccine is to be offered, it should be ENTIRELY volutarily....meaning you don’t “opt out” the government has to get parental permission first. Even the parents of children in public schools should not be subjected to unnecessary Nanny-State tactics. IF you have been reading what TX posters have been saying, they will tell you that the “opt out” provision would not work. Governor Perry was entirely wrong on this....it is an unnecessary attempt to circumvent parental medical control.
There are reasonable, good public health practices, and then there is the overstepping and the Nanny-State. Rick Perry was pulling a Nanny-State, and I suspect it was for reasons of political favor not compassion. Plus, it was an abuse of power to do it by excecutive order. What is to keep him from doing something similar as POTUS? It is something to ponder. It has soured me on Perry. Granted, I would still vote for him in a general election, but not without hesistation. He has actually made Newt start looking good to me. Michele Bachmann should have stopped with what she said during the debate...it was spot on. However, because she started quoting hearsay, she lost credibility....which is a shame. Her original point was correct and it stung Perry hard. He needed to be stung...not to knock him out of the race, but to wake him up.
The best thing Perry could do is admit is overstepped his proper authority as Governor and promise never to do such a thing again. However, I suspect he is too arrogant to do so. Michelle Bachmann needs to get back on the original point about how parents rights were threatened by an unnecessary medical proceedure....and stay away from the extreme views of saying vaccination caused mental retardation. So, both are wrong is different ways. Perry because he attempted what he did, and Bachmann because she went beyond what was known to extreme examples.
There are a great many things either prescribed or proscribed that would improve the health of Americans. For instance the proscription of tobacco. However, there is a point to where we start stomping too much on the individual - and banning tobacco would be such. I am not a libertarian, I won’t abide anarchy, I believe in proscriptions of illegal controlled substances (drugs) and prostitution. I am for the reasonable prescription of some things like chlorinated water....it has saved lives many times over...the same as the proscription of outdoor privies. However, we have to be so very careful. I don’t want to live in a police state. A nanny state is just “police state light.” It is a delicate line to walk.