EDITORIAL: Freedom – Cochrane News

It can be no coincidence that more and more people are becoming interested in conspiracy theories, while social media echo chambers are increasingly replacing legitimate news sources.

As people spend more and more time getting their supposed “news” from groups they already agree with, it is clear that science will take a back seat to deeply held beliefs when the discussion becomes “my science vs. your science.”

Or Jenny McCarthy vs. people with medical degrees.

Those who tend to believe conspiracies as an explanation for everything they reject have been around for some time.

Was the moon landing a hoax? Was 9/11 a secret plot to pave the way for an attack in the Middle East? Is the COVID vaccine a government conspiracy?

Unfortunately, the latter affects Alberta very closely.

A quick look at the research results does not provide any scientific conclusions to the suspicion that far-right elements in conservative political parties are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories than the far-left fringe of liberal groups. Apparently, none of these subgroups is immune to the disease.

But whether conspiracy theories are the trigger or not, anti-vaxxers will not disappear.

And Prime Minister Danielle Smith, no stranger to crazy theories about health care reform, seems determined to give them a voice.

Now anti-vaxxers – whatever their motivation – are back in the news. UCP MP Eric Bouchard of Calgary-Lougheed wants to ban COVID vaccines entirely in Alberta.

Even as a trial balloon, this case is particularly irritating when viewed through the lens of freedom that anti-vaccination activists hold so dear.

Bouchard advocates restricting the freedom of all people, not only to protect them from the increasing spread of communicable diseases, but also to preserve the right of every individual to freely choose a vaccination.

Crazy.

Politics and religion have no place in the discussion about the right to health care.

As Smith's Nov. 2 leadership review approaches, it will become clearer whether she will choose to flirt with the more extreme elements of her party to secure their support, or whether she will publicly expose Bouchard's idea for what it is.

Absurd.