One of the problems with the Covid 19 epidemic is its resemblance to the flu. Both are respiratory diseases capable of causing hospitalization and death. However, Covid is much more deadly. As many as 30,000 Americans will die this year from complications arising from a flu diagnosis. Nearly 600,000 of us died last year from Covid. The other difference is the normal flu vaccine is a hit or miss proposition. Since I turned 65, I have gotten a flu shot every year in hopes of avoiding flu. But in a bad year, the shot provides little or no protection. The Covid vaccines on the other hand are up to 95% effective. It's a no-brainer to get the shot.
Many people have decided with lots of help from social media, GOP politicians and Faux News they have the "Freedom" to not be vaccinated as if it is some heroic act on their part. Some have a real hesitancy, based on historical abuse of the system, but for most it is a decision framed by political and tribal loyalties, which are in turn in many cases driven by dark money flowing into ads designed to encourage hesitation.
If you bragged about your ability to drive drunk, most people would think you a social monster who has no empathy for her fellow citizens. Why then aren't you doing the exact same thing by refusing to help prevent the spread of a deadly infection by receiving an effective vaccine?
As Paul Krugman points out in today's NYT, politicians like Ron DeSantis in Florida who oppose mask and vaccine mandates are doing so to protect the privilege of mostly white people to do as they please, regardless of consequences. In this case, freedom is literally just another word for nothing left to lose, including your life and that of those you cherish.
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