“Trust opens up new and unimagined possibilities.” – Robert C. Solomon
I have one question for each of you: “Are we ready to trust again?”
This year has been one big hodgepodge of misinformation from political to media bias. More importantly, we have seen more than a quarter of a million people die from the coronavirus with many more expected to lose their lives to this awful virus. As if we needed more mistrust amongst people in this country, now I’m reading all over social media that people are not just hesitant to get the new COVID vaccine but rather adamant that they will not get it. I think it is important that you get factual data regarding the vaccine and also I would like to explain why I intend to get the vaccine as soon as it is available to me.
First off, here are five misnomers regarding the new COVID vaccine from the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC):
- The COVID vaccine will not give you COVID. No, the only way to get COVID is to contract it from people who have it so please continue to wear masks and practice social distancing even after you get the vaccine.
- The vaccine will not cause you to test positive for COVID-19.
- There is no proof that if you have contracted COVID-19 once that you cannot get it again so getting vaccinated would be beneficial not only to you but to those in healthcare who will not have to take care of you because your symptoms are extreme.
- Getting vaccinated prevents you from getting COVID-19. False, however, if you do get the virus your symptoms should be far less extreme thanks to the vaccine.
- Receiving an mRNA vaccine will not alter your DNA or genetics. So for those of you who wanted to turn into a zombie, probably not going to happen.
When the pandemic started, all I asked was that a vaccine be available so that people can live their lives with less concern about getting sick and can slowly return to their normal day-to-day routines. Now there are multiple vaccination options that have been approved by the FDA which is great in my opinion. Right now, here are the companies that are producing COVID-19 vaccines: AstraZeneca, BioNTech, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer, and Sanofi.
While I look forward to taking the COVID-19 vaccine, I’m concerned because this vaccine has been publicly politicized and therefore there is a lot of mistrust regarding it. I know for a fact that the FDA will not approve any drug without adequate testing as people like me have waited decades for a drug like Trikafta to help our lung function. The reason why COVID-19 treatments are getting to the market sooner is because we are in the midst of a global pandemic and this vaccine will help millions of people. Not to mention a disease like cystic fibrosis is not contagious and therefore is not going to grow. COVID-19 is quite the opposite. Also, it’s not like this sort of vaccine has been completed in less than a year. Per NBC News, mRNA vaccines have been studied for more than two decades. “The recent application of this process to the COVID-19 virus is based on many years of testing. And, the safety approval process is the same for any vaccine submitted for approval.” Since this went through a Phase Three trial, that means 30,000 to 40,000 people were studied to test the efficacy of the virus compared to those who did not receive the vaccine.
My concern is that people will get the shot and mistake the side effects that the drug is not working and is giving them COVID-19. Listen, any good drug is going to have some side effects. It proves how strong it is. My Trikafta had major side effects for many of us the first week but eventually our bodies adapted, and the benefits have far outweighed the negatives with regards to this drug for a majority of people who are taking it. My other concern is the politicians will get involved which will lead the media to politicize the vaccine and cause more mistrust amongst the people of this country. The last thing we need to do is politicize something that can potentially save millions of lives.
Let me simplify things. If you get COVID-19, you might be asymptomatic. You may also have symptoms. You may also get really sick. You may also die. Are you willing to play Russian Roulette with your life? This is a chance to stop the spread of COVID-19 which will vastly improve our economy, get our kids back in school and improve both the mental and physical state of our country. It seems like a no-brainer to me.
Here is a question I’m often asked. “Will you stop wearing a mask and practicing social distancing after you receive the vaccine?” Simple answer: “No” and here’s why. I could still get the virus and be able to spread it to others. My intention by getting the vaccine is to protect myself and my family. By continuing to wear my mask and practicing social distancing, my goal is to protect you. I also want to know how long the COVID vaccine will be effective. I want to continue to do research and learn. I hope one day that I can stop wearing masks in public places but I wore masks on airplanes and hospitals before the pandemic and that will definitely not change even when COVID-19 is no longer an issue.
Anyway, I’m very excited that the COVID-19 vaccine is now available for emergency use and will soon be available to first responders, those with pre-existing conditions and eventually the general public.
“Are we ready to trust again?”
Perhaps the better question: “Do we have a choice?”
Live your dreams and love your life.
Best Wishes,
Andy
* Please consult with your doctor before deciding to get the Covid vaccine.