After a year of heartbreak, desperate frustration, and government incompetence, hope in the fight against COVID has appeared on the horizon thanks to a group of vaccines. Yesterday, President Biden announced that all adults in the U.S. will be eligible for coronavirus vaccines by April 19. The new date is about two weeks earlier than the May 1 deadline, which itself was several months earlier than originally feared. And this is on top of vaccine development schedules that came about in record time and at a level of efficacy that is, frankly, jaw dropping. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, "Yay, Science!"
The ground now shifts from research and development to implementation and, sadly, another round of cultural battles around these life-saving innovations. One understands the skepticism of particularly some minority communities that have a long history of being exploited and mistreated by medical research. But fears in these quarters seem to be waning. The biggest obstacle now seems to be our political divide with supporters of the former president, particularly white evangelicals, expressing the most alarming anti-vaccine sentiments.
We are still fighting over masks and remediation efforts, and now we can add the idea of “vaccine passports.” Nevermind that proof of vaccination has been a long-standing hallmark of public health and travel. The good news is these folks do seem to be persuadable.
We must remember that vaccines are societal medicine. Yes, they are administered on an individual level, but in their aggregate, they protect communities and the world. One place where the United States should lead, for our own sake and for the sake of humanity, is making sure vaccines get out to all countries, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.
So this week’s Midweek Question is about coronavirus vaccines. (Or as some like to call it “the Fauci ouchie.”)
For starters, please share your vaccine experience. Have you gotten your shots yet? What was it like? What were your thoughts and emotions after you got yours? Was it easy or difficult to make an appointment? Were you skeptical or worried?
And secondly, how do we reach those who are hesitant or fearful? Do any of you have experiences in this regard with friends and loved ones? What did you say, and how did they react? Did any of you have to be persuaded?
Some ground rules for these Wednesday chats (and also the comments sections on other posts):
I want a space where people feel safe to express their views, as long as they are offered in good faith.
I want a space where ideas can be challenged, especially my own.
I want debate. But I want it to be civil.
I want people to come here with open minds, and open hearts.
I want this to be fun as well as serious.
We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable.
What is Your Experience with COVID Vaccines? The Midweek Question
What is Your Experience with COVID Vaccines? The Midweek Question
What is Your Experience with COVID Vaccines? The Midweek Question
After a year of heartbreak, desperate frustration, and government incompetence, hope in the fight against COVID has appeared on the horizon thanks to a group of vaccines. Yesterday, President Biden announced that all adults in the U.S. will be eligible for coronavirus vaccines by April 19. The new date is about two weeks earlier than the May 1 deadline, which itself was several months earlier than originally feared. And this is on top of vaccine development schedules that came about in record time and at a level of efficacy that is, frankly, jaw dropping. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, "Yay, Science!"
The ground now shifts from research and development to implementation and, sadly, another round of cultural battles around these life-saving innovations. One understands the skepticism of particularly some minority communities that have a long history of being exploited and mistreated by medical research. But fears in these quarters seem to be waning. The biggest obstacle now seems to be our political divide with supporters of the former president, particularly white evangelicals, expressing the most alarming anti-vaccine sentiments.
We are still fighting over masks and remediation efforts, and now we can add the idea of “vaccine passports.” Nevermind that proof of vaccination has been a long-standing hallmark of public health and travel. The good news is these folks do seem to be persuadable.
We must remember that vaccines are societal medicine. Yes, they are administered on an individual level, but in their aggregate, they protect communities and the world. One place where the United States should lead, for our own sake and for the sake of humanity, is making sure vaccines get out to all countries, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.
So this week’s Midweek Question is about coronavirus vaccines. (Or as some like to call it “the Fauci ouchie.”)
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