Vaccination Hesitancy

Dear friends:

Apparently a large number of people are not trying to get the vaccinations for various reasons:

(1) they believe that COVID is not as dangerous as the Democrats say it is;

(2) they're waiting to see whether those who have got the vaccination have any bad side-effects;

(3) they dislike being told what to do, that is "Get the vaccine right now!" is something they immediately push back against;

(4) they believe a number of conspiracy theories having to do with the vaccine---and all vaccines---that certain people have been spreading.

Well, if you're in group 4, then until you are finally convinced that there is no ulterior motive behind the vaccine, you're not going to get it.  Those who tend to believe these sorts of conspiracies are very difficult to persuade, until (and unless) someone they know well catches the virus, and they see first-hand how painful the disease is.  (If this happens, ask for a vaccine right away.)

If you're in group 3, don't do it for yourself, do it for your friends.  If you're a recluse, then it probably doesn't matter.  But if you're sociable, you could carry the infection even if you appear perfectly healthy.  Because hundreds of people have been shown to be asymptomatic; that is, a test shows that they have the virus, and can infect others, but do not appear to have the disease.  This is why a person whom you meet, who looks quite well, just might infect you.  And if you're asymptomatic, you could infect people you meet, especially older people who are very susceptible.

Groups 1 and 2: Firstly, the disease is very painful indeed.  I haven't got it, but we have people who have recovered telling us how painful it is, not to be able to breathe easily.  Also, those who recover from the disease are said to be permanently affected.  Secondly, it seems quite clear that nothing bad happens to those who get vaccinated, except a fever after the second shot, which lasts less than a day.  I have got one shot, and will get the second shot as soon as I'm eligible.

In other news: I have not been writing very much---not writing at all, really.  I think I will go through all the existing Kay Hemlock Brown stories, and repair any broken grammar or spelling, or mislocated people (for instance, there are references to Helen in a Jane story, which is embarrassing; Helen should not appear anywhere in Jane stories).

OK!  Happy masking!

Kay