On Thursday, the Hudson Youth Department canceled the last day of summer camp because a rec attendant tested positive for COVID-19. Yesterday, the Columbia County Department of Health reported 21 new cases of COVID-19. Today, Mayor Kamal Johnson announced that masks must be worn by everyone--vaccinated or unvaccinated--in City buildings, and public attendance at meetings at City Hall will be limited to ten. Meanwhile, Do We Need This?--"the primary local group fighting against vaccination, masking and other public health measures"--is holding an anti-vaxx festival on a farm somewhere in Claverack on Saturday, August 21, from noon until 7:00 p.m.
People concerned about the threat of COVID in our community should steer clear of the Saturday, August 21, anti-vaxx "festival" at a Claverack farm, misleadingly described as "benefiting health freedom." This large gathering of unvaccinated, unmasked people risks spreading the virulent Delta variant. The event will raise money for four anti-vaxx groups that are spreading dangerous disinformation and have worked with extremist--sometimes violent--alt-right groups. . . .
Some local anti-vaxxers are organic farmers, proponents of home schooling, and peace advocates. Some anti-vaxxers oppose hate speech and violence, and discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and religion.
Nonetheless, nationally and in Columbia County, anti-vaxxers are spreading dangerous misinformation and disinformation that cause real and significant harm to public health in the community by deterring people from receiving life-saving vaccines.
Being "anti-vaccine" does not make someone an alt-right extremist, but nationally racist right-wing groups are working to ally themselves with anti-vaxx groups. Concerningly, anti-vaxx groups like Do We Need This? are increasingly joining hands with groups with ties to extremist, alt-right groups whom they might otherwise disavow.
"Festival in the Field!" is the subject of an article by Roger Hannigan Gilson, "Anti-vaccine 'festival' planned this weekend," which appeared yesterday in the Times Union. Gilson reports, "according to an online flier," the farm where the event is to be held is not in Claverack but is Cowberry Crossing Farm in Livingston. He goes on to report: "When contacted, Cowberry Crossing Farm proprietor Richard Harrison claimed the event--advertised online as including vendors, organic food and performances by nine entertainers and bands--was "a small, private family event," and declined further comment."
Whether it's happening in Claverack or Livingston, the site is in the 12534 zip code. The Do We Need This? website identifies the location of the event as Hudson, NY.
COPYRIGHT 2021 CAROLE OSTERINK
Full disclosure: I'm vaccinated, I made a pest of myself in Albany to get more Pfizer delivered to Columbia County, and I have nothing to do with any of the following groups.
ReplyDeleteThat said, who's behind the so-called "Vaxx Facts"? (What, no link?)
The following allegation is a disgraceful example of guilt by unsubstantiated association. It's a straightforward smear obviously made by propagandists who are in league with the Chinese government (a joke, obviously, but the invention by Vaxx Facts is equally absurd).
From above:
"Being 'anti-vaccine' does not make someone an alt-right extremist, but nationally racist right-wing groups are working to ally themselves with anti-vaxx groups. Concerningly, anti-vaxx groups like [this one] are increasingly joining hands with groups with ties to extremist, alt-right groups ..."
This unattributed and alleged "fact" should not have slipped passed Gossips' usual standards. It is a shameful lowering of good standards.
Now, everybody go get a vaccine.
Alas, the connection between some alt-right groups and some in the the anti-vax movement is well-documented. In addition, national antivaccination disinformation groups are definitely involved on the local level. And, yes, there is a link to the Vaxx
DeleteFacts newsletter in the article above. Click on Vaxx Facts in the lead sentence and read the full story there, which includes documentation with reputable sources.
The post's link to Vaxx Facts was only provided after I complained.
DeleteIdiotic as the planned event sponsors seem to be for drawing this sort of attention to themselves, and whether or not they are misled, they are our neighbors. Real people, not abstractions somewhere out in America.
So unless somebody can demonstrate a connection between these particular event sponsors and the "alt right" groups you have in mind, then our neighbors don't deserve this kind of despicable, mendacious treatment.
Because dishonest innuendo is no way to make an argument, "Vaxx Facts" warrants our contempt for degrading the public discourse.
Now, everyone get vaccinated!
Glad that you pointed out to the article's author to include a link. That's always a good practice, let's people check the source.
DeleteI agree that serious allegations should not be made unless there exists credible evidence. In this case, the evidence is there. And again, Vaxx Facts in not accusing everyone who is not vaccinated as being connect with these disinformation and/or hate groups; it has made an explicit distinction between those who are and those who are probably unaware of these connections. It's good to be aware of what leaders of a movement are aligned with. The Vaxx Facts newsletter has shown that the organizers are connected with these groups. First, they are quite openly raising money for these groups. Second, the newsletter has documented personal connections of at least one of the main anti-vaxxers. Go to the link again and read it all the way to the end -- there is a lot of text, but you can skim to find the relevant information. Also take at look at the previous issues of the newsletter, all on that site.
DeleteHaving worked in molecular biology (specifically, protein separation), I agree that these anti-vaxxers have some odd ideas.
DeleteThey should also take care with whom they associate - and yes, where they share their funds. Members of "Do We Need This?" are fools to appear in any context with white supremacists, though I'm thinking any association there has everything to do with getting out their own political message and zero to do with any kind of racialist platform.
For instance, 'Vaxx Facts' doesn't explain how a glimpse of a confederate flag in a photo squares with the group's warning not to be turned into "chattel slaves" by a centralized, over-empowered Federal agency. The latter is a positive message to African-Americans not to forget the Tuskegee syphilis study. (And going by the vaccine statistics, it seems that American blacks do remember that unconscionable experiment.)
I wish I could be as lenient about "Vaxx Facts" as I am the fools who make up "Do We Need This?"
"Vaxx Facts" also has ridiculous beliefs, and judging by its newsletters the group demonstrably traffics in propaganda. I've already complained about the technique of guilt by association. It's an execrable form of argumentation amounting to propaganda (though I'll say again, the foolish anti-vaxxers nearly invite such abuse).
But take a closer look at "Vaxx Facts'" other claims, like the supposedly anti-Jewish sentiment which already fooled another commenter here.
The 'Vaxx Facts' newsletter states that:
"'Do We Need This?' has crossed the line with symbols minimizing anti-Jewish racism."
Probably 98% of people who read that will suppose that the anti-vaxxers are thereby anti-Jewish.
To a lawyer's eyes the sentence provides credible deniability, but it is scripted to mislead credulous readers who'll construe it as proof of antisemitism. Readers will see the Star of David in the associated poster and think "antisemitism," which is what "Vaxx Facts" intended.
Look closely, though, and the poster ONLY warns of a future Holocaust. It's the victim who's wearing the star.
Leaving aside whether or not that's crazy talk, "Vaxx Facts" is only offended when the Holocaust is mentioned in any way that's incidental to the historic fact of the Holocaust.
And guess what, I AGREE WITH THAT. Symbols of the Shoa should not be used lightly, unless (and until) they warn of another Holocaust.
That said, it would be disingenuous to deny that "Vaxx Facts" deployed a worthy sentiment I happen to share towards manipulative ends. And that is the very definition of propaganda.
In the same vain, there's an ominous undercurrent found throughout the "Vaxx Facts" literature wherein a generic notion of "science" provides a new footing for government authority. For all intents and purposes, "science" and government are presented as being coterminous.
In fact, it's not new at all. It immediately recalls past chapters in nasty, government-sponsored abuses of power, from the Progressive movement's turn-of-the-century positive eugenics to the already mentioned Tuskegee study.
Being able to question our government and hold it accountable for its actions is the very principle our republic was founded upon.
Personally, having absolutely nothing to do with any group outside of my church and a nature club, it's plain to me that "Vaxx Facts" is committed to a very different form of government. And that's just as concerning as the groups "Vaxx Facts" opposes.
I worked at that "biodynamic" farm for a few months about 13 years ago. This does not surprise me one bit. B Huston
ReplyDeleteAre there vaccine requirements for employees at the Youth Dept or Senior Center? It seems that people working with high-risk populations or kids should be required to show proof of vaccination.
ReplyDeleteIf the Youth Dept is truly a necessity for working parents, those parents should feel confident that their child's risk of exposure has been minimized by common-sense precautions and standards.
Thank you for this coverage. Indeed disturbing at least to those who are intelligent enough to recognize disturbed and malicious organizations when we come across them. Anti-Jewish and anti African American displays of any sort should automatically raise a red flag. The health freedom anti-vax/mask declaration is an antigovernment stance. An interesting cover to attract vulnerable people in volatile times. Cutesy organic pictorials to defuse aggressive undertones. Hoax theories! Worrisome but understandable that they would comingle. Unreasonable suspicion of science and the government that supports it in the one group socializing with the white supremacists whos agenda is to overturn it all. And both begging for news coverage!
ReplyDelete