Very, very busy at the moment with an even busier week on the cards! However, there’s something that locals can do and even interstate or overseas can help out with.
The Australian Vaccination Network (AVN) is the group that the Skeptic Zone podcast report upon on a regular basis.
The AVN spreads false claims including that vaccines contain toxic quantities of mercury, aluminium, and formaldehyde; that vaccines cause conditions such as autism. They also provide incorrect information about the risks of childhood illnesses.
Following the tragic death of three babies to Whooping Cough, Australian Skeptics has established an information page with information on the myths and realities of vaccines and links to reputable sources.
If you are not familiar with the AVN, I strongly suggest you read and pass on the story by David McCaffery, about the death of his daughter Dana from the preventable disease whooping cough (posted thanks to Dr Rachie of the Sceptic’s Book blog and the Zone). There are many other entries on her site documenting the pseudoscientific and anti-health efforts of Meryl Dorey and the Australian Vaccination Network.
The AVN’s initial efforts to have lecture was canceled, as I reported earlier this month – Perth Uniting Churches Say NO To The Australian Vaccination Network!
They have plans to return. So, this is something that may help: please write to Ms Margaret Allen, CEO and State Librarian, State Library of WA (email link here – info@slwa.wa.gov.au) to comment about the library accepting a booking from Meryl Dorey of the Australian Vaccination Network in June. Thanks to ChrysStevenson for getting the ball rolling on Facebook!
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Thanks Kylie!
I hope they do come and present in Perth, just so you get a chance to attend and report for us.
On the other hand though – would a state government facility really consider taking their booking?!! Are we that hard up for case in WA?
errr “cash”, not “case”
This is difficult for the library. Libraries have a strong position in favour of free speech and opposed to censorship. It is vital that our state libraries in particular continue to oppose any form of censorship.
I personally say as many skeptics and others who disagree with Meryl should go along and question this lady in her own domain. Go to these talks, make her look like a dangerous fool like she is.
Hand out flyer’s to counteract her information or she will just keep popping up around the place and many others like her. Meryl is not the only one she is the only one publicly says things.
Sending her underground is not good at all she needs to be watched and that way she is easier to disarm.
Apparently she is going to step down this year from her role I wonder who will take over from her if this.
Information is the key here for the public, debating her would be good.
Just got this email from the AVN.
http://www.danbuzzard.net/storage/email/avn1.html
Looks like we have them worried.
The dis-information of the AVN has probably caused thousands of dollars in health and business costs, just from the numbers of parents having to take time off work to look after sick kids.
Having the AVN present at the library will make it look as if the government endorses them. We all have an obligation to be vaccinated, for the very fact that the very young, old and immune compromised, are kept healthy by the rest of us not getting the flu and passing on to them.
Emailed as instructed, Ma’am!
Dear Ms Allen
I was quite alarmed to learn via a science blog I read regularly that the Australian Vaccination Network (AVN) were to be allowed to give a presentation in the State Library of WA. I worry that the anti-scientific views of the AVN will be given undeserved credibility by being associated with the State Library of WA.
I cannot help but think of the report on the ABC’s 7.30 Report about the death of Toni McCaffery’s infant daughter. (1) The terrible death of this child could easily have been avoided if everyone took responsibility for immunizing their children as any credible medical authority recommends. Herd immunity would have protected this infant until she was immunized.
The concerns expressed by the AVN have been addressed by scientific research. The links to Autism have been dismissed. Their concerns over mercury have been dismissed. I can understand parents being concerned upon learning of a risk to their children but the science is in and the risks are not real. The risks of not immunizing are very real though. Anything that discourages immunization is irresponsible. An emotive presentation will hold a lot more weight for scientifically illiterate people. The science on this can be quite dull compared to the exciting stories of big pharma cover-ups.
The only outcome that can realistically be projected from the AVN gaining more credibility is a reduced immunization rate. This can only lead to further outbreaks of controllable diseases and more infant deaths. Whopping cough is bad enough. Imagine another polio outbreak. Most anything is possible if we roll this dice.
As I don’t live in your area, you may ask why this is my concern? I have family in Perth, so I am concerned for their small children. Brisbane is only a few hours flight away. An increased whooping cough rate in Perth could very easily threaten my nephew in Brisbane. He has weak lungs and is at risk to this sort of thing. There could be a person stepping off a plane in Perth this very day carrying whooping cough without even knowing it. Without immunization we could easily see an outbreak. This is everybody’s business and responsibility.
Medical science says that immunization is the best way to avoid death from disease. I would hope that any library, as a seat of learning and knowledge, would prefer to support proven medical science. I hope you will reconsider allowing the AVN into your library to protect your library’s reputation and the health of the most vulnerable in your community.
1) http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2009/s2674887.htm
If anyone’s planning to attend, maybe they could print and hand out the David Icke article and add a note that this article was mentioned uncritically on the AVN blog here.
Alas, i recieved an email from the WA state library, –
QUOTE
The State Library of Western Australia provides facilities and services to the community of Western Australia as a whole; inevitably from time to time this may include interest groups with views that some may find controversial.
The State Library does not make any judgment about individuals, groups or organisations, unless there is a clear breach of law, policies or procedures, in which case we may act to exclude clients.
I acknowledge your opposition to the Australian Vaccination Network but this does not provide grounds for the State Library to exclude this group from using a public facility for lawful means.
END QUOTE
Seems they actually have to break the law, and death by misinformation does not qualify.
So is anyone going to counteract this with information or just try to bring down the Meryl Dorey?
There are heaps of places that spread misinformation not just this one lady about this one topic, I have not read anyone who is going to counteract what she does. I mean there was enough time to have something organised and planned or is there and no one has posted about it. Many people put there effort into writing letters or emails or phone calls.
However for such an important issue what are the skeptics in WA doing to counteract Meryl Dorey or just anti-vaccination?
The law is clear and it cant be biased even if these people working at the library agree or disagree or dont care.
All I can say is we can see this woman and deal with her accordingly within the law.
Why did no one think about buying up all the tickets to her talk, they were only about $10 each or go along and ask her hard hitting questions? Just some other ideas that may have been workable, thing is this woman and many like her will just keep popping up. I am sure there were other workable and doable ideas than just give up.
Hi Clare.
No – no one has given up. There are actually some things happening behind the scenes RIGHT NOW that I can’t talk about.
If you listen to the Skeptic Zone podcast, or read the site of Dr Rachael Dunlop – you’ll know that we don’t give up easily…
I’ll keep you posted.
K.
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