William T. Robinson, Jr.
Like it or not, there is a significant growing number of people refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccines that are being offered to curtail and eliminate the spread of the coronavirus and its growing variants. At this point, there are three vaccines available to the public Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. Efforts are being made to make these vaccines available to ages 16 and up regardless of medical conditions. While it seems logical or even practical that everyone should be willing to do whatever is necessary to combat the coronavirus that has decimated our population and literally shut down our economy, there is a growing hesitancy and refusal by certain individuals and groups for various reasons.
Make no mistake: There are many people angry and upset that there are those forgoing the vaccines, thus putting other lives in jeopardy. Many people feel individuals should put their personal subjective views aside and do what is for the better good of the majority, regardless of uncertainties that may lay ahead. The rising deaths due to the coronavirus; the appearances of highly contagious variants; unprecedented unemployment; and an economy on life support are making the majority of people desperate for some type of normalcy. While some people may see vaccines as grasping in desperation, others see it as grasping for hope and recovery.
There are a myriad of reasons people are opting not to take the vaccines. Reasons stem from misinformation, political bias, uncertainty, fear, spiritual reservations, or distrust of the government. Whether you agree with their explanations or reasons to abstain, you must respect the fact they have the right of freedom of choice. That is something we don’t what to be compromised or voided, lest we tread upon very troubled waters.
We all know there is an urgency to combat this coronavirus, but you can’t dismiss the fact that some of the reasons some are choosing not to take the vaccines could be considered valid and credible. We don’t know the long term effects to come to those exposed to the vaccines, especially when it comes to children born from those who have taken the vaccines. Some people fear that some of the vaccines alter one’s DNA (the blueprint of the body) which is highly disputed and denied by scientists and researchers working on combating the COVID-19 virus.
Taking the vaccine may be a no brainer for those who have lost a loved one to this virus or have had a surviving family member undergo the traumatizing effects of recovery. The reality of the virus personally touching family, loved ones or friends plays a pivotal part in one’s decision in taking the vaccines. You can easily imagine someone undergoing the pain of watching a loved one on a respirator or dying from the coronavirus doing anything possible to save them—regardless of the pending consequences to end this pestilence.
A multitude of those testing positive for COVID-19 (especially young people), have been asymptomatic and may not see the urgency in getting a vaccine. They were not affected harshly, only serving as pending carriers. We must be mindful that our ever-growing, immoral society has produced a slew of selfish and apathetic individuals who are only concerned about themselves and having a good time—regardless of the cost to others.
There is no shortage of conspiracy theories about the coronavirus and the vaccines being offered. Believe what you must, true or false, but be mindful of the motives provoking some of these conspiracies. Know that notable scientists and researchers are far from knowing all the answers during this short time period. Some would say we are in a free fall awaiting the pending conclusion.
In the final analysis, we have a right to our differences and our choices. They should be respected, right or wrong. However, we must accept the fact that there are a lot of unanswered questions about the coronavirus as well as the vaccines being offered. The reality that we must acknowledge is that multitudes of people are dying. We must try to unite in the best interests of humanity. That means we may have to go forward collectively making choices wherein we don’t always know all the answers. But we must hope and pray for the best.
I can only imagine that hope and faith has brought us thus far and will continue, if we truly believe. We must accept that there are no definitive answers at this time about the vaccines. But the troubling facts this: The economy is crippled and people are dying at alarming numbers. Is not taking the vaccine a good choice if we are truly concerned at reaching some type of normalcy? Only time will tell.
