NECSI COVID COMMUNITY ACTION SUMMIT: A Cult Expert’s Advice on Dealing with Anti-Vaxxers and General Vaccine Hesitancy
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc worldwide, resulting in more than two million deaths, seriously weakening or destroying economic and social systems, resulting in a tremendous increase in mental health problems. A frantic search for effective vaccines has consumed the scientific community since it was first identified.
Vaccines have now been developed at record speed. The elaborate and time-consuming process of manufacturing and distributing them to the general public has begun. Although there are certainly problems and a lack of coordination in many of these efforts, most people are relieved and are anxiously awaiting their turn to be protected.
Unfortunately, a backlash against the vaccines from several directions is growing. Some of the protests have become violent, exhibiting signs of cult-like behaviors. A recent rally at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles was such an occasion. California has suffered over 40,000 COVID-related deaths and soon becomes the state with the highest death toll related to the pandemic. Despite this grim reality, the anti-vaccination protesters at Dodger Stadium carried signs saying “COVID = SCAM” and “Save Your Soul – Turn Back.”