I’m not going to get into the arguments on either side of the pro-vaxxer-anti-vaxxer divide. But I will say that I am a huge vaccine critic. I will disclose that I am fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but I have never received a flu shot. I really did NOT want to get the COVID-19 vaccine but felt that I didn’t have the fight in me to resist the intense social pressure. So I chalked my decision up to “taking one for the team”. I have also been following the science of COVID-19 since early January 2020 and the vaccine data and anecdote since the vaccines emerged. One day I will go into the details of my vaccine hesitancy and when and why I have chosen to vaccinate myself. But for now, all that is needed to be known is that I am neither pro-COVID-vaccine or anti-COVID-vaccine. I am critical and reflective and interested in arguments on both sides.
As a result of this, I get to be in many conversations with people who are vaccine-hesitant and/or unvaccinated. And what I can tell you all is that there are many more people out there than you know. In fact, many vaccine-hesitant people got vaccinated. But… I also know that many of these vaccine-hesitant vaccinated people are not so eager to get their under 12-year-olds vaccinated. And THAT is where shit is going to hit the fan. (Sidenote: that’s a terrible metaphor but I can’t think of a better one that sums it up. If you have one, please tell me and I will replace it!).
Anyway, some parents aren’t going to be so silent and willing to vaccinate their kids, for a variety of reasons. They will speak up, resist, and be very vocal. They will protest and have valid questions about the long-term effects and safety of the vaccine that scientists, health professionals, public health people, and politicians will not be able to answer because we simply do not know the answers. Their critical questions and concerns will get the air time that hasn’t been available.
Predicted in September of 2021. Published October 21st, 2021.