Press secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Naomi Francis, raised eyebrows when she on Thursday (October 14) tweeted out a very curious question.
Though realizing from the jump that her question could be interpreted as “cheeky” Francis asked it anyway.
Francis asked her following if the makers of Viagra or the flu shot had ever offered redress to their consumers.
“I have a very serious question which can be considered cheeky. Serious serious question. I’d love the medical persons here to help with an answer. Do the makers of Viagra or the flu shots offer redress or indemnify the user if the medication doesn’t work,” tweeted Francis.
Francis’ seemingly ‘serious question’ was the source of much conversation, with many believing that she was disingenuous when she asked it.
According to some Twitter users, not only was Francis’ question disingenuous but they noted that it was deliberate based on the current discussions surronding the COVID-19 vaccines.
However in the true spirit of the platform, some obliged Francis, responding sincerely while others used the occasion to throw shade.
Among the sincere respondents was Dr Canute Thompson who sought to explain his position.
“Those who use it do so based on their own free will. No one can force or mandate them to do so. That, Madam Press Secretary, is a HUGE difference, Thompson tweeted.
“Well I saw an an article in the 1990’s in the Star where the UK government was offering compensation to people who were injured by a batch of bad vaccines which were shipped to the Jamaica pre-independence,” added another user.
However, for the most part, it was primarily shady responses.
“You always think you’re too smart from long time. What a question, ” Tweeted one user.
“The question is neither serious nor can be considered cheeky….hard to describe it really…SMH,” added another.
The tweet even caught the attention of People’s National Party (PNP) General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell, who didn’t pass up the opportunity to shade Francis, to the amusement of his Twitter followers.
“All along I didn’t know Viagra was mandatory,” tweeted Campbell.
Screenshots of Campbell’s tweet soon made its way on to Facebook, where users mercilessly trolled Francis, who they all agreed was trying to be sly.
Viagra versus the Flu shot
Technically speaking Viagra and the Flu shot are not comparable.
Viagra is a brand name for the medication known as Sildenafil. Sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
There are many brands that produce seasonal influenza vaccines; the most common one in the Western world is produced by Sanofi Pasteur.
Influenza vaccines, also known as flu shots, protect against infection by influenza viruses,
New versions of the vaccines are developed twice a year, as the influenza virus rapidly changes.
Pay outs made to people who claim to have been injured by vaccines…. in the US at least
The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has paid more than $4 billion to people who claim to have been harmed by vaccines.
According to its public record, from 2013 to 2017 alone, the program paid out an average of $229 million a year to patients and their families. The average payment was about $430,000.
