Masters of Health Magazine July 2023 | Page 11

History Repeats Itself

Pamela A. Popper

President, Wellness Forum Health

As I’ve said, again and again, the COVID debacle is not a new phenomenon. It’s just a bigger version of what has been going on – mostly under the radar - for a very, very long time. The combination of poor training, low standards, incompetence, financial influence, conflicts of interest, government interference and malfeasance, and lack of accountability – all of which worsened over decades – culminated in the COVID debacle. History repeats itself.  Once one understands just a little about medical history, the question changes from “How could this happen?” to “Why did it take so long for this to be exposed?”

An interesting episode in Britain’s vaccination history proves my point:

In Britain, in 1853, vaccination for smallpox was thought to be so effective that it was mandated for all newborn children. When an epidemic of smallpox occurred during 1864-1868, enforcement of the mandate increased. The Boards of Guardians were put in charge of enforcement, and parents who did not comply were prosecuted.

However, parents started objecting to the mandate after the severe and fatal side effects of the vaccines were publicized. Anti-Vaccination Leagues formed that demanded a repeal of compulsory vaccination. These groups advocated for other methods to contain the disease, such as isolating the sick and people who had come in contact with them.

For two decades, both enforcement and opposition escalated. This led to approximately 6000 prosecutions in Leicester alone.

Here are two stories that appeared in the Leicester Press in 1884 (I have paraphrased and summarized them to make them  more readable):

Edward Irons refused to comply with an order to vaccinate his 2-year-old son based on conscientious objection and the advice of his doctor, who stated that the child should not have the vaccination due to his health status. One of Iron’s other children was already injured by the vaccine. During the hearing, the opinions of several doctors who opposed compulsory vaccination (referred to today as “anti-vaxers”), were cited. Nonetheless, Irons lost his case and was ordered to vaccinate his son.

George Banford also refused. His first child was born in 1868. After mandated vaccination, his child was covered in sores and unable to leave the house for a long time. In 1870, Mr. Banford allowed his second child to be vaccinated, and this child developed a severe skin infection and was bedridden for some time. Banford’s  third child was born in 1972 and died 14 days after vaccination. For refusing to vaccinate his fourth child, Banford was fined 10 shillings with an option to spend seven days in prison instead.

Numerous parents were taken to Court, again and again. Some paid the fine every time, while others chose prison.

The Leicester Mercury described a public demonstration concerning the vaccine issue:

“By about 7.30, a goodly number of anti-vaccinators were present, and an escort, preceded by a banner, to accompany a young mother and two men, all of whom had resolved to give themselves up to the police and undergo imprisonment in preference to having their children vaccinated. The utmost sympathy was expressed for the poor woman who bore up bravely… The three were attended by a numerous crowd, and in Gallowtreegate, three hearty cheers were given for them, which were renewed with increased vigour as they entered the doors of the police cells.”