A: Police in KP arrested parents for refusing to vaccinate their children. Now that’s going too far. Talk to them. Educate them. But don’t throw them in the jail for exercising choice! After all, parents are responsible for their children and they have the right to make decisions that concern them.
S: But that’s the thing Ameen, it doesn’t solely concern them or their children. And what is this choice that you’re talking about? The choice to leave your child vulnerable to a virus by refusing vaccination because of fear or ignorance? The choice to expose people around you to real danger? Polio is no joke. It paralyses one forever and it can spread. So, your polio virus-carrying child is as much my business as he or she is yours.
A: Sadiq, my imaginary infected child won’t affect those who have been vaccinated, right? So what’s the problem? And do you really want the state to have that kind of power? That police can barge in and take you away because you choose to be a certain kind of parent.
S: There’s a word for it: bad. Bad parent. Not only can the state do it, it must intervene when parents are endangering the lives of their children and others around them. You act like it’s unheard of. Social services in the first world?
A: I don’t get you. There are times when you show such mistrust for the state and advocate individual freedoms but other times, you want it to act like our God. Make up your mind.
S: Well, when it’s rights, it’s right. What would you have the police do? Talk to the parents? What makes you think that they didn’t try that? And if they refuse? What then? Sure, sir. Don’t vaccinate your child. We want to remain the polio capital of the world.