The ‘unvaccinated pandemic’ has had an unwanted effect on us

You know that life could have been back to normal if everybody had been vaccinated against Covid-19. And you also know that coronavirus infections nationwide would not have quadrupled in July had everybody been vaccinated.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

And you are aware that had everybody been vaccinated we would not be talking about children having to wear masks when they go back to school and that hospitals would not be running over with Covid patients and on and on with the bad news, if only everybody had been vaccinated.

Then why on earth are one-third of the population refusing to get the shot? The latest surge has been called the “pandemic of the unvaccinated.”

But here is the problem. With the Delta variant it is a pretty scary time even for those who have been vaccinated. One spokesman reported that in his eight hospitals of the COVID-19 patients with breakthrough infections, 20 percent had been vaccinated. Those that had been vaccinated also had other underlying conditions which made hospitalization necessary.

So, we are back at square one with the Delta variant, only this time it is much worse because it is easier to transmit and much more deadly. Therefore, the CDC is recommending that everybody wear a mask. More than likely those who have been vaccinated will wear a mask knowing now they can transmit the virus.

I wonder if those who have not been vaccinated ever watch the news on television. This morning I saw a man who had refused to be vaccinated pleading for everybody to get a shot. He was in the hospital suffering from the infection and barely could breath.

I have a breathing difficulty and I warn you that you don’t want to go there. At one time I had to be rushed to the hospital in an ambulance because I could barely breath. I have nightmares about that 45 minute period of my life.

Also on that news program it reported that the University of Florida at Jacksonville at this time last week had 14 cases of the coronavirus and this week they had 178 cases. It is spreading fast and it is much more dangerous.

There are places that are mandating that employees, such as the Veterans hospitals, be vaccinated. Many more will follow especially when the FDA gives the vaccine its stamp of approval.

I know that if the world’s leading authorities can’t convince the unvaccinated to get a shot, what I write here won’t either. I also know that if those who refuse to get a shot, other than for medical reasons, and then get coronavirus they will wish until their dying days that they had followed the advice of those who know best.

This is not a political game and it is not to be taken lightly. And for those of you who put down our leading doctors and scientists with your remarks, shame on you. What makes you think you know more than them?

I have heard two predictions from leading authorities on when the “unvaccinated pandemic” will peak. One said late September and the other said mid-October.

So folks sit back and suffer because we don’t have any other choice. Things won’t get better until all people get smarter!

• A word of gratitude and compliments to the elected officials in the city of Corbin for the excellent way the sidewalks on Gordon Hill have been fixed.

Not only has it made walking the hill by foot possible, being in the heart of Corbin, it has also beautified the area.

Gordon Hill is one of the most travelled streets in Corbin. I remember when the hill was brick. Talk about a rough ride! But until the recent renovation of the sidewalks it was very difficult to walk on them. Now the sidewalks are at one level and safer.

Gordon Hill is highway 312, a state road, and now if the state will pave the road all will be well!