Flying during the holidays has always been fraught with problems: fighting traffic, long lines at security, tempers at the breaking point, and — of course — being trapped in a small container in close quarters with a bunch of strangers during flu season. There’s a reason why the popular vitamin C booster is called “Airborne” — because it was initially intended for use when you had to expose yourself to all the germs at the airport.
Well, thanks to Delta Airlines, we now have one more reason to dread flying during flu season: anti-vaccine ads. Delta started running some in-flight infomercials paid for by the National Vaccine Information Center, an anti-vaccine group. The president of the American Academy of Pediatrics sent a letter to Delta’s CEO, urging them to stop running the ads, which will put passengers at risk — particularly children, who are more vulnerable to the flu.
Delta’s response? Nah.
They apparently don’t think there’s any problem with being associated with anti-vaxxers. That sounds like a call to arms, my fellow geeks!
If you’re flying somewhere this holiday season, I’d suggest you avoid flying on Delta if possible. Either way, go get your flu shot. I might end up sitting next to you, and I don’t have time to deal with being sick.
Read more about the story here, and sign the Change.org petition asking Delta to stop running the ad.
