Rodimus Prime wrote:Well I wasn't trying to come off like a jerk towards you, so if that's how it seemed, I'm sorry. I am a fierce advocate if the rights of an individual, Regardless of the choices they make. Just because I don't agree with something, I don't believe I have a right to tell someone else not to do it.
That's funny cuz I thought I was the one coming across as "jerk-y". Gotta hyphenate...not talking about dried meats here...
Rodimus Prime wrote: I'm also not what the media or some extreme "pro-vaxer" might jump to conclusions and label an "anti-vaxer."
As I said, the media, in its quest to help, has actually done more damage to the cause than anyone. Their "stories" usually focus on one or two sentences in a study, then they bring in experts to tell you what to think. And it's ALL news agencies, not just Fox or MSNBC or CNN. SOmetimes I wonder if they saw the 007 movie "Tomorrow Never Dies" and decided it was a blueprint rather than a fictional tale with gadgets and an extremely attractive female agent of Southeast Asian decent (Michelle "YOWZA"!). Best thing to do is talk to health care professionals, especially PCPs; the way we are trained now is more of "We're here to give you the information to make an informed decision best for you" versus "I'm a doctor/NP/PA and I'm God and know better, so do what I say." The times they are a-changin...
Rodimus Prime wrote: I think it comes back to individuals making choices and being held accountable for them, as it should be in all aspects of life.
THIS. A MILLION TIMES THIS. I blame Freud.
Rodimus Prime wrote: So once this is achieved and our government sets it as the goal line and the standard by which we are to comply, if I never get the vaccine and belong in the 6-17 percent, am I still looked at as a menace, or at best a nuisance? And do I also get so.e kind of paperwork like the vaccinated get their cards that says im in that small percentage? Or will it just be assumed since I won't have a proof that I was vaccinated?
This IS the government we're talking about. Do you honestly believe they've thought that far ahead? If so, I have some oceanfront land to sell you. Lovely view of the Ozarks...
Rodimus Prime wrote: But I also realize it was just as much preparation through good hygiene and a sensible diet keeping my body in good general health (I'm not a fitness nut by any means, and I do occasionally eat "bad" food.) as it was through chance.
I wish all my patients thought this way. I'll put the actual percentage at about 5-10%.
Rodimus Prime wrote:Anyway, I do hope this will be brought under control (it will most likely be never eliminated) soon enough. In the meantime, we should all use common sense (not as common as it used to be) and take care of ourselves. It's the best method of defense. As for you First Aid having the profession that you do puts you at a greater risk, Regardless of masks and vaccines. So be extra cautious and keep up the good work.
Thank you for the kind words. I agree that this will be an annual thing, similar to the flu shots. I put money down we will see them combined eventually. However, there is a more likely change of Covid going away than the flu. This is a specific virus that, while having some mutations (Delta and Mu for example), is still primarily a single structure and genome. The influenza, on the other hand, has NINE distinctive genomes which is why the flu shot is usually only 40% effective. They attempt to predict which of those genomes will be prevalent during the "flu season", choose three or four, then combine them in the vaccine. This is why H1N1 was controlled so quickly (incidentally, we are STILL 20 MILLION INFECTIONS short of the single year total for H1N1), because we already had a vaccine for it; it just needed to be produced in a hurry. Covid was a "start from scratch" vaccination; the technology was there, but the decision on which proteins would promote the best response had to be studied. AS long as the government stays out of it, doesn't shut things down again, and encourages the vaccination (again, not pushing you dude...just saying) it will be controlled.
As for providers, please everyone be as considerate as possible to those in healthcare. The retirement rate right now is through the roof, higher than it ever has been, because of burnout from this pandemic, and the idiots in charge....err, the government decided that the best way to reduce the spread was to shut down testing boards, residencies, and clinical programs for upcoming healthcare providers in school, so nearly 200,000 providers are behind schedule and delayed from graduation and testing that could replace the retirements. (Of course, these are also the people that shut down the plants making the most effective and prescribed diabetic medication metformin as being non-essential...
). Maybe give them a little extra time, support them if you can. Buy them a drink or six...