Vaccine Controversy

So far the plagues that attacked the world have shown how much vaccines have contributed to humanity. They prevented the mortality and morbidity of millions of people around the world.

Before Covid entered our lives, I knew there were anti vaccination people out there. I was also aware of a trend among parents in Western countries who refuse to vaccinate their children for various reasons. But what I didn’t know is that the anti vaccine movement is as large as it is. In addition, they have members all over the world. They support and encourage each other and they also spread disinformation and lies.

If you are deliberating whether or not to be vaccinated and you read their material, you would probably be reluctant to get vaccinated. But you would also never know if they are telling the truth or spreading lies. However, it’s not that I don’t understand people concern about being vaccinated, especially if you are getting a vaccine that was only produced a few months before. The truth is, I was concerned too.

On the other hand, every time I remember what I went through when I got the measles, I wish I had been vaccinated back then. There was a small measles outbreak in the 1980’s, and I got sick. I was really a mess. I had a high temperature (40 C for approximately one week) and was covered in red spots all over my body for more than two weeks. I had spots in places you would never think would be affected.

I also lost my appetite and was very weak. Everything I ate suddenly tasted terrible. I was in isolation for a week and this was a very traumatic experience for me. In fact, I had no appetite for a long time even after I recovered and the spots all disappeared. I lost a lot of weight and didn’t feel well at all. I do not know why I wasn’t vaccinated against the measles although the vaccine against it had been available for many years. When I asked my Mom she didn’t remember why.

Nevertheless, I recently read about someone who was anti vaccine. He was an active member of the anti vaccine movement and would regularly protest against them. Obviously he wasn’t vaccinated but surprisingly the rest of his family was. He was well known for his views and journalists covering anti vaccine protests would frequently ask him for his opinion or comments. And the man wasn’t shy about expressing them publicly. 

The guy suddenly collapsed while being arrested at one of the provocative demonstrations a few weeks ago. The police who were keeping order at the event took him to the hospital and the doctors diagnosed him as having Covid. His situation rapidly deteriorated and he was put on a ventilator almost immediately. Even so, he kept publishing posts on social media against vaccines along with all kinds of nasty messages from his hospital bed. For example, he was convinced the police poisoned him and this is the reason he was sick.

I don’t know if the guy was regularly wearing a mask or if he was keeping himself safe. But unfortunately he succumbed to the disease a week ago and he left his wife and small children behind. Who knows for sure, but had he been vaccinated, he may have only had a mild case if he had been infected at all. In that case, he would still be alive and with his family today.

However, anti vaccine people are challenging the system. While some of them are satisfied with expressing their opinion just on social media, others resort to using violence. One of the most troubling protests recently took place in Canada on the campaign trail. The Prime Minister has been tracked by angry anti vaccine protesters. They were swearing at him and made Nazi references, which was really ugly.

At another campaign rally, he was hit with gravel thrown by an anti vaccine protester. This is unheard of in Canada. Even if you don’t like the Prime Minister, you should not treat him this way or blame him for trying to stop the spreading of the damn virus. This is a globaI problem and I don’t see any country that has succeeded in eliminating this scourge so far.

Anyway, you can’t force citizens of Western countries who are anti vaccine to get the shot. Yet the people who weren’t vaccinated have to know there is a price to pay for it. The latest news I heard in Canada was that residents will soon have to show proof they’ve been fully vaccinated against Covid in order to dine indoors at restaurants, and go to gyms or theaters. I would not be surprise if more establishments refuse to allow unvaccinated people onto their premises.

I have to mention that I heard quite a few stories lately about people who were anti vaccine, were infected with the virus, and then regretted that they hadn’t been vaccinated. Unfortunately, some of them died, while others suffered from long term side effects. Some of these side effects are losing one’s sense of taste or smell. People complain the food they eat tastes like mould or cigarette ashes. As well, people suffer from fatigue, memory problems, anxiety, depression, etc.  

In conclusion, just the thought of being unable to breathe on my own and needing the help of a ventilator to stay alive freaks me out. That alone should convince anyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible………………..