Rock and roll gets stuck in my head. This morning I have an odd mixture of Whitney Houston and Sugar Ray playing. It is, at best, an eclectic broadcast. Whitney is belting out her 2002 "Ooh, how will I know? (Don't trust your feelings), How will I know?" And, Sugar Ray (2001) of course is asking "when it's over, Is it really over?" It takes a bit to come to ground, but the music leads me back to the great pandemic of 2020: "Is it really over?" and "how will I know?"
There are reports in the news of COVID hospitalizations. A recent roundtable discussion was reported in which the management of some hospitals characterized them as busy, but not "overwhelmed." There is mention of hospitals limiting visitations, contemplating delays in "elective procedures," and requiring staff vaccination. In all, about half of eligible Floridians are vaccinated (10.6 million; Florida population is about 22 million, but some of those are too young for the vaccination). For good or bad, the press is full of stories about COVID.
I heard an intriguing story recently regarding perceptions of the end of the pandemic. Picture two people standing in a public hall lamenting the great immensity through which they have recently traversed (having "walked through the valley of COVID"). They speak to each other happily, openly, commiserating their Great Pandemic perspicacity. Then, somehow, the vaccine is mentioned. One traveler admits to being unvaccinated, and the other's reaction is palpable, visual, even angry. The second backs away in surprise or revulsion, re-establishing the all-too-familiar social distancing.
Then the lecture begins (paraphrasing): "How can you not be?" "You are putting me at risk." "You could get me sick." "Are you one of 'those?'" The unvaccinated then asks, straightforwardly "if you are vaccinated, then are you not protected from me?" That is, the unvaccinated are posing a risk to themselves.
The news seems to bear that out. The recent roundtable discussion supported that "the vast majority of such (hospital) patients are unvaccinated." The vaccine, for many, remains a choice. That is changing, with mandates. There are government actions and private employer actions. But as the Business Report notes, employers may be reluctant to require vaccines due to the already pernicious labor shortages. Thus, the vaccine marches forward, but not all are willing to join the parade despite the benefits or (seemingly) increasing requirements.
That may be changing. One of the main objections voiced has been the lack of FDA approval. Sure, the FDA has acquiesced in the use of the vaccines, an "emergency approval," according to CNN. But, that changed recently to a full approval for one vaccine. Similar approvals are expected to follow for the other major vaccines. And the news reports some expectation that this may assuage the concerns of some of the approximately 30% of Americans that remain un-injected. A similar figure, 30% of the unvaccinated have said that "full approval" might be persuasive to them as regards the vaccine.
A local news story included interviews related to vaccination. At least one said "I do actually feel a lot more comfortable in getting it." in response to the news of approval. This story cited a similar 31% that might be influenced by full approval from a June 2021 survey. As regards the volume of testing, one doctor noted "when you look worldwide, almost five billion doses have been distributed, so this is not new. This is not something that has not been untested." Think about that, perhaps the "emergency approval" has effectively led to the largest non "clinical" trial in human history. As McDonalds used to say "billions and billions served." That volume took decades with hamburgers, and less than 8 months for this miracle vaccine.
Back to the two in a dialogue above, two critical facts: (1) That you have been vaccinated does not mean you are immune to SARS-CoV-2. You can catch it, though its likely the symptoms will be diminished. Yes, vaccination benefits you tremendously but you are not immune. (2) Regardless of vaccination, you can catch it from touching something, interacting with someone, passing too close to someone, and a variety of variables. The unvaccinated may be some threat to you, but so are a host of other circumstances. That the someone you pass on the street is vaccinated does not mean that person cannot pass it to you, see (1) above. This was recently discussed in Breakthrough, Vacillation, and Consensus (August 2021).
It may depend on what your definition of the word "is" is, or in this instance what the definition of "plan" is. But, there is great debate about the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the Great Pandemic. There has been accusation, recrimination, and reverberation. Us pawns on the board have some valid questions for the various chess masters (scientists and experts) that have taken a hand in this game. It is in our nature to have questions; inquiring minds want to know.
Despite what is unknown, I have been an open fan and advocate of vaccination, see Vaccination Implications (February 2021); The Future's So Bright (February 2021). In the Future, I predicted the entire U.S. Population could be inoculated by October 11, 2021. But, the rate of inoculation has not kept pace. In my defense, the President likely has better access to data, and his predictions have not been met either. It would be fantastic for the country to all be vaccinated. But, that is a pipe dream. Even if it were mandated, there are those who would (even could) not comply.
It turns out, however, that some people simply do not want to be inoculated. Some of them are a bit difficult to take seriously. Remember when USA Today reported in June 2020 that a vaccine was "perhaps years away?" Talk about missing a prediction. That article also noted, "There’s concern that when there finally is one, not enough people will take it to protect the population as a whole." Well, less than six months after that article there "finally" was one, and about a year after that article 160 million Americans were inoculated. But, in fairness, there are a fair few who just do not want it.
There is news that supports the wearing of masks. WCNC Charlotte says that they protect both the wearer from others and prevent the wearer from spreading "droplets." Thus, wearing a mask may provide you more protection, and it may protect others from you. In light of all the vacillation on masks by various scientists over the last 18 months, it seems that this decision certainly remains one for each individual to make. Despite that, various governments seem intent on forcing the mask-wearing once again.
So, of the two in the conversation recounted above, is there a "right" and a "wrong?" Perhaps, or not. The person electing not to take it may present a risk to her/himself of disease and to others as a "spreader." However, as a vaccinated person, I have done what I can to protect myself. That does not mean I cannot catch the SARS-CoV-2 virus from an unvaccinated person. BUT, it also does not mean I cannot catch it from a vaccinated person. The vaccinated have the same ability to carry and thus spread the virus as the unvaccinated, according to the AP.
Thus, it seems most likely that those who decline the vaccine are threatening serious harm, increasing risk, mostly to themselves. If the vaccinated can indeed spread the virus, then our being vaccinated may not provide so much protection to others. Those who are eschewing the vaccine are taking their chances. Note that some studies conclude as many as 98% of those hospitalized for COVID-19 in 2021 are in this unvaccinated group. They are taking a risk, but it seems they are not putting the rest of us at significantly greater health risk. Thus, like the mask, it seems best that each person makes her/his own decision on vaccination.
To top off the discussion, there is now a prediction that the government will recommend that we get a vaccination "booster," perhaps as early as September. That inoculation protection may fade over time is not a new idea. We have heard that from the beginning. For my part, sign me up for the booster. I have enjoyed my return to "near normal" following my vaccination, and I will enjoy remaining active, engaged, and social.
I am more comfortable in both work and leisure with the protection I think I gained with inoculation. My advice is to get the vaccine of your choosing and avoid the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, or worse. But, in our polarized world, I would recommend that berating people publicly for their choice is unlikely to persuade them to join the vaccine bandwagon. Let's let people make their choice unless some employment or government mandate occurs. Even then, let's be comfortable as a free society in saying they then remain free to change employment and otherwise follow their convictions.
