Everyone knows I have strong opinions, as is evidenced by the postings I have made. For those who really know me know that I try very hard to see the other side of the picture when it comes to differences of opinion. Thus, I have tried to look at the anti-vaccine picture once again. I inherently know no anti-vaccine people will probably read this as I have alienated them already and those I have not alienated probably do not care anyway. Nevertheless, I will try.
I have expressed a great deal of vitriol over the unwillingness of so darned many people refusing to get vaccinated, wear face masks, and avoid large crowds when they are not protected. While what I said is harsh, I really do not apologize for what I said. Yes, I know a great many people who are generally decent in an overall sense that refuse to be vaccinated. The result of their actions are holding everyone else hostage from the vaccine, causing them to shelter in place, being susceptible to further outbreaks, and not being able to get lifesaving medical attention because the hospitals as full. In short, I just cannot trust anyone.
The way I see it there are four factions in this country who have not been vaccinated; 1) those who have no access to the vaccination, 2) those who are hesitant for health reasons (is it safe), 3) those who are hesitant because of ethnic mistrust, and 4) those who have politicized it.
While not dismissing the first three, I see that these are being addressed rather well by outreach programs and with the FDA giving full approval of the Pfizer vaccine and probably the Moderna vaccine soon, some of the health hesitancy will go away. My biggest issue is with the Conservative political anti-virus movement.
Frankly, you are listening to FOX News, NewMax, or one of its ilk and believing every darned thing they say (even as some of their anti-vaccine proponents are literally dying). You have hunkered down with a them-against-us mentality. You battle science with whatever you heard someone who heard someone who got it from a reliable source; however, it is a fact to you because you trust them. You trust them more than the government, the normal world press, and even the people dying around you. The only time I hear any second-guessing of your opinion is when you or a loved one gets Covid-19 and they are dying or in an ICU bed. Why is it political? I do not know.
Sadly, it has also become religious as well because most fundamentalist Christians are decidedly conservative. Thus, despite their long-standing reputation for caring for others they defer this in order to serve their conservative masters. I challenge them to pray about it and to be sure who answers their prayers.
You notice I have not tried to debunk any of their claims. There are too many outlandish claims and they grow daily. Let us just say that the facts, the real facts, are out there if you look. You do not even have to look hard. If you do not trust CNN and other mainstream news media, I get it. Look at other sources that do not have what you think is a political agenda. You will find a strange thing called facts. And, I not talking about Horse Dewormer to attack Covid-19 after you get it.
So, even though I grant the fact that an anti-vaccination person may live an exemplary life save this. But this is so important for their fellow man, I cannot feel that they are being anything but evil, even if that is not their intention. Thus, my rhetoric is harsh, but I am tired of being held hostage by people who refuse to care about anyone, including themselves. This is a true example of evil.
