As a person who lives in the woods in Appalachia I am shocked this is the first I have heard of this program. Nice analogy. Although I know this program exist for humans I love that its side effect saves animals from a terrible sickness too.
Interesting article. My husband and I are both physicians and we were discussing the immunization issue after reading this article. Many large corporations monetize their employees’ health by offering money off their insurance premiums or extra money in their pocket.
What if we monetized children’s health by sending preloaded credit cards with a specified amount to families that get their kids’ vaccines on schedule?
The kids get protected, the community at large benefits and we reward families for doing right by their kids.
You are so right- no one notices the things that don’t happen. I learned about measles from a textbook because we had eradicated it by the time I got to medical school. The residents I taught learned about chickenpox from textbooks because of the chickenpox vaccine.
Let’s actually try something that works-rewarding financially good preventive health behavior.
That would be an awesome program....credit card specifically for immunizations .....that could really fix irradicating some awful diseases and protect our people. You are one of the reasons I read some of the comments under these wonderful newsletters!
I like this line of thinking and am going to go out a little further with it. If parents are anti vaxxers it would seem that there is no incentive to get them to vaccinate their children because they believe they are keeping their children safe by not vaccinating them. If they don't vaccinate because of financial reasons it would be a great help. I have no idea what fully vaccinating a child out of pocket would cost - do you? And what is the percentage of kids who don't get vaccinated for financial reasons or social reasons? I don't even know if kids get vaccinated at school (I did for polio) or drugstores or doctor's offices.
Thank you, Adam. I never knew about this program, but as you said, we don’t celebrate things that don’t happen. But we really should, because this is such a vital program. Much thanks to the tireless “wood choppers” who do this work, and to the many others behind the scenes of our nation as they keep the wheels greased and rolling. Fabulous metaphor for our current situation. May we return to serious and honorable national leadership soon.
Thank you, Adam, for an uplifting hopeful Sunday message. It is hard to think that in my senior years, I would see our country be dismantled as Trump has done in just a mere 1-1/2 years, but people like you and your positive outlook give me hope that even in the few years I may have left, I might still be able to see a few of the things return to our country that truly made it great. Bless you for your message.
Best to get vaccinated against rabies ahead of time. The merest scratch from a contaminated surface can be fatal - I had a 22 year old very fit neighbour who died from rabies after an unnoticed scratch on his arm in a cave filled with bats (which are often carriers}.
It's next to impossible to monetize "return on investment" when preventing the spread of viruses. If the next admin chooses to rebuild, "ROI" won't be measured effectively for at least 5 years. Hopefully when the rebuilding occurs we won't get into "reinventing the wheel" as groups have lost much in "corporate memory loss", thanks to DOGE.
Valid point. In the community at large ROI is felt a little bit by all of us. And you can and people have looked at recent measles outbreaks and tallied the costs both indirect and direct and one could make the argument that we have saved taxpayers x amount of dollars per person by preventing the outbreak.
Love this post! I never thought I’d be moved reading about raccoons. Keep shouting from the mountaintop, Adam. Happy Sunday.
exactly my thoughts.. I saw a rabid raccoon once and it wasn't a pretty sight! they suffer...
"We owe the same thing forward to the Americans who’ll be alive the next time a creature like this comes crawling out of the woods."
I'm pretty sure he's talking about a 2-legged raccoon here. And I agree wholeheartedly.
Maybe he’s talking about the disease itself. That would fit. 🦠
Yes!
As a person who lives in the woods in Appalachia I am shocked this is the first I have heard of this program. Nice analogy. Although I know this program exist for humans I love that its side effect saves animals from a terrible sickness too.
Thank you, Adam, for ALL you do for ALL of US!
You speak the TRUTH!
choppin wood, makes more sense than ever.
Interesting article. My husband and I are both physicians and we were discussing the immunization issue after reading this article. Many large corporations monetize their employees’ health by offering money off their insurance premiums or extra money in their pocket.
What if we monetized children’s health by sending preloaded credit cards with a specified amount to families that get their kids’ vaccines on schedule?
The kids get protected, the community at large benefits and we reward families for doing right by their kids.
You are so right- no one notices the things that don’t happen. I learned about measles from a textbook because we had eradicated it by the time I got to medical school. The residents I taught learned about chickenpox from textbooks because of the chickenpox vaccine.
Let’s actually try something that works-rewarding financially good preventive health behavior.
That would be an awesome program....credit card specifically for immunizations .....that could really fix irradicating some awful diseases and protect our people. You are one of the reasons I read some of the comments under these wonderful newsletters!
I like this line of thinking and am going to go out a little further with it. If parents are anti vaxxers it would seem that there is no incentive to get them to vaccinate their children because they believe they are keeping their children safe by not vaccinating them. If they don't vaccinate because of financial reasons it would be a great help. I have no idea what fully vaccinating a child out of pocket would cost - do you? And what is the percentage of kids who don't get vaccinated for financial reasons or social reasons? I don't even know if kids get vaccinated at school (I did for polio) or drugstores or doctor's offices.
Thank you, Adam. I never knew about this program, but as you said, we don’t celebrate things that don’t happen. But we really should, because this is such a vital program. Much thanks to the tireless “wood choppers” who do this work, and to the many others behind the scenes of our nation as they keep the wheels greased and rolling. Fabulous metaphor for our current situation. May we return to serious and honorable national leadership soon.
Paying it forward. A kindness begets a kindness. Seems so simple and natural.
Thank you, Adam. I always look forward to your "Good News Sunday" post. You keep choppin' and we'll be right beside you swingin' that axe.
You are so right Adam, thank you for this wonderful post. Hope you’re feeling better.
Love love this post… wonderful to hear some great news. And everyone go and vote 🗳️ we need a tsunami 🌊!!!
Great post. You are so right. I hope someone out there is taking notes!
Thank you, Adam, for an uplifting hopeful Sunday message. It is hard to think that in my senior years, I would see our country be dismantled as Trump has done in just a mere 1-1/2 years, but people like you and your positive outlook give me hope that even in the few years I may have left, I might still be able to see a few of the things return to our country that truly made it great. Bless you for your message.
Best to get vaccinated against rabies ahead of time. The merest scratch from a contaminated surface can be fatal - I had a 22 year old very fit neighbour who died from rabies after an unnoticed scratch on his arm in a cave filled with bats (which are often carriers}.
I love this! Great post Adam and I hope you’re feeling better!
It's next to impossible to monetize "return on investment" when preventing the spread of viruses. If the next admin chooses to rebuild, "ROI" won't be measured effectively for at least 5 years. Hopefully when the rebuilding occurs we won't get into "reinventing the wheel" as groups have lost much in "corporate memory loss", thanks to DOGE.
Valid point. In the community at large ROI is felt a little bit by all of us. And you can and people have looked at recent measles outbreaks and tallied the costs both indirect and direct and one could make the argument that we have saved taxpayers x amount of dollars per person by preventing the outbreak.