Tensions run high in the anti-vax debate, because it's literally a matter of life and death (Somebody please tell Jessica Biel).
Sometimes situations are more nuanced than "I am an idiot, so I won't be vaccinating my kid," and the case goes to court.
On April 30th, armed officers showed up at an Orthodox Jewish woman's apartment to serve her a summons for failing to vaccinate one of her nine children.
She wasn't deliberately skirting her responsibilities to the community in the face of the public health emergency, though. The woman, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, is pro-vaccine, and vaccinated eight of her children. The summons she received was for her youngest son, who at eight months old, had been sick for several weeks.
Because the baby was experiencing fevers and ear infections, his doctor said to hold off on the vaccination until the baby recovered.
The Kings County Sheriffs' office didn't know that when they banged on her door at ten at night, scaring her (vaccinated!) children. Her kids were so afraid, and in order to calm them down, Doe told them that the armed guards were simply selling furniture. This is America after all—furniture salesmen have the right to bear arms.
"I'm a very responsible mother...I was very hurt about this whole thing," Doe told Gothamist/WNYC. "I feel they're coming very strong on me because of the public and because of the anti-vaxxers."
In April, New York City declared an emergency order changing the immunization requirement from twelve months old to six months old. Doe was out of the loop as an Orthodox Jewish woman who doesn't watch TV or use the internet, and her doctor didn't mention it, even though the emergency order had been already declared.
Doe argued her case when she was summoned to court, and if the court rules in favor of the city, she will be charged an $1,000 fine.
Gothamist reports that the court has been pretty forgiving and understanding of circumstance. Doe was one of 209 individuals who had received summonses under the city's mandatory vaccination order. Ninety of those cases were withdrawn after the defendants complied with the city's order and vaccinated their children.
This article originally appeared on SomeeCards. You can read it here.
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.