Despite concerns about the vaccine, I still got vaccinated

A couple of friends of mine got COVID-19 recently. One of whom had to go to the hospital not once, but twice on two consecutive days.

Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.

This was largely because there were no available beds when she went the first day in order for her to be admitted. She had to return the second day for outpatient treatment.

This was here locally folks. Please let that sink in.

With that said, let’s have an honest conversation about COVID-19.

In regards to vaccine hesitancy, first let me acknowledge that there are valid concerns out there.

Some women don’t think there have been sufficient studies on the potential side effects on women’s reproductive health from taking the vaccine. A friend of mine commented that he is expecting to see ads from ambulance chasing lawyers five years from now that start out with something like, “Did you take the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 and grow a third eye? If so, you may be entitled to compensation.”

The third eye is a bit of an exaggeration but you get the gist of his argument.

The reality is that we don’t know what the long term side effects maybe from these COVID-19 vaccines. No matter what side of the vaccine debate that you’re on, there is no getting around that fact.

The vast majority of healthcare professionals are recommending that people get vaccinated including about 30 doctors from two of our local hospitals in a letter to the editor on this very page.

It is also worth noting that there have been several documented cases of health care professionals that have objected to getting vaccinated so it isn’t just people convinced the government is secretly using the vaccine to implant microchips into people that have concerns.

These COVID-19 vaccines were developed in about one year, which is probably a record amount of time. Had the vaccines gone through the usual multi-year process, we would have a better idea about what, if any, long term side effects there may be.

So far though, a few previously unknown side effects have surfaced from the millions of people getting vaccinated worldwide.

In most cases, you probably have a better chance of being hit by lightning than you do suffering from of those rare side effects of these vaccines so far.

Just as vaccine hesitancy is a valid concern, I think it is also worth pointing out – as my wife, Cecelia, has done several times – that we don’t know what the long term health side effects of getting COVID-19 could be either.

Put me on the list of people, who have concerns about the long term side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines, but here is why I got vaccinated any way.

First, I have a few health concerns that could complicate getting COVID-19 so from that perspective, I thought it was a good idea to get vaccinated.

Second, my wife REALLY wanted me to get vaccinated. (Like none of you married folks reading this have ever done anything just to keep a spouse happy…LOL.)

Third, the main reason that I decided to get vaccinated is because I hate the idea that I could get this virus and give it to someone with a weakened immune system, who might die if they got it. One of the biggest problems with COVID-19, which is very contagious, is that you can get it, not know you have it, and pass it along to other people.

Yes, the fatality rate for those getting COVID-19 is pretty low. From what I can tell, it is probably around 1 percent. With thousands of people getting this virus a day though, this is still a lot of people killed.

If one of those 1 percent killed from COVID-19 is your friend, relative or loved one, then are you OK with that? I am not, and I don’t think most of you reading this would be either.

For me, there is a greater good to be done by getting vaccinated even if there are still a few questions marks out there.

There is also a certain irony that many of those shouting the loudest proclaiming that they will never get vaccinated against COVID-19 are many of the same people, who would do just about anything to help a friend with a compromised immune system, or the child of a friend with a compromised immune system, stay healthy.

You would gladly take off your shoes before walking into their house.

You would gladly wash your hands or sanitize them before you went into your friend’s home. You would wear a mask while there if need be, and happily do so to keep your friend safe.

Please consider that getting vaccinated is a way for you to help keep others safe, especially those who are medically vulnerable.

Who knows, the lives you potentially save by getting vaccinated may be those of someone that you care about.