Be a vaccine believer or not.
It’s been called the “Fauci ouchie.” I consider it another tool in the tool chest for avoiding the virus. We got vaccinated today.
It was a pleasant surprise to receive the call from our local hospital that my husband and I could schedule a time to be vaccinated. We had submitted our request with our own physician and registered with the area health district. Then I told myself to be patient and wait our turn. But we welcomed the call and made plans.
It meant driving to the county hospital 20 miles away. Upon arrival, we were almost immediately ushered into a room where about a dozen other people were in various stages of getting the shot. All total the process took no more than 30 minutes and that included the 15 minute wait after the vaccine was administered. Considering how so many have endured long lines and wait times, my husband and I felt very fortunate.
There are advantages to living in rural Nebraska.
Thank you Boone County Health Center, Albion, Nebraska, small town USA.
I don’t know why we were able to jump to the head of the line, unlike the 90 year old acquaintance who still awaits her appointment. But I am thankful and grateful. Our second shot is already scheduled for the latter part of February. Oh that many more could be so fortunate.
I think about the thousands of people all over the world waiting for word of an appointment or even the chance to schedule one. And still others with not even a speck of hope that they can be vaccinated.
It would be nice to wave a magic wand and have mass vaccination sites all over the country with people streaming through, getting vaccinated, lickety-split. Maybe that will happen, but it’s going to take time. And for some people that will be too much time. Either because they are getting frustrated at the wait, or because of the wait they will get sick and maybe even die from the virus.
God speed the process.
It’s interesting to get people’s reactions when I tell them I’m either getting vaccinated or have had it done. It doesn’t take long to decipher where they’re coming from in their thoughts about the virus and the vaccine. They seem to fall into three camps:
—The believers — those who believe the virus is real. They follow all the steps like mask wearing, social distancing and good hygiene. They believe the vaccine is important and that, while it doesn’t prevent the virus, it can cut down on the resulting symptoms if one gets it.
—The questionners. They sometimes wonder or tire of all the steps deemed necessary to stop the spread of the virus. Do I really need to wear a mask? They want more information about the efficacy of the vaccine. They are concerned about possible reactions and side effects to getting it. One friend is allergic to penicillin, so she wonders about the makeup of this vaccine. After our shots, my arm was sore and my husband had a mild headache. No other reactions thus far.
—The nonbelievers. In spite of the fact that we will probably see over half a million people in the U.S. die from the virus, there are still some who believe it is a hoax. They don’t wear masks; they scoff at the idea of getting vaccinated. I commented to an individual that I got my shot. That resulted in a response something like, “Oh, so you’re going to grow a second nose. (chuckle, chuckle)” Really?
Somebody told me once that “you can’t fix stupid.” I’m beginning to believe that.
I simply am at a loss to understand how people buy into conspiracy theories or rely on information from unreliable sources. Certainly it’s important to question information. But check the sources. Make sure they’re reliable. Since when do we give less credence to the advice of a public health professional than to a person who wears animal skins, a horned headpiece and spews falsehoods.
Still the myths continue.
Like thinking the vaccine is unreliable because it was approved in a streamlined process. It may have been fast-tracked but I don’t believe safety protocols were sacrificed. I trust the research studies and the panel of experts who reviewed the results.
Or what about thinking that the virus is no worse than the flu. One just has to look at the numbers to refute that idea. There may be flu-like symptoms, but the virus is far more contagious, as are some of the new variants popping up. And the death toll is far more staggering. I’m counting on both the flu and COVID vaccines to get me through this.
How about this heart breaking myth — that children don’t get the virus. Anyone can get the virus at any age. I listened saddly as a friend told of a nine-year old great-niece hospitalized with the virus, on a ventilator, no less.
And please, don’t rinse your mouth with bleach or think that eating garlic will keep you from getting the virus. Believe the science.
What is so wrong and so hard about:
Wearing a mask
Practicing social distancing
Washing your hands.
If I sound a little frustrated, it’s because I am. Frustrated with all the unfounded theories out there, disgusted with the naysayers, overwhelmed at times by all the swirling information that is out there — fact or fiction; true or false.
But I take a deep breath, feel gratitude for where I am on the virus spectrum. As far as I know, I’ve never had it. I received the first dose of the vaccine, and I continue to follow the proper safety practices.
Maybe I can’t fix stupid in others, but I can at least be wise myself for a long lived life.